Tomb Cluster of the Cao Clan

Tomb Cluster of the Cao Clan

The Tomb Cluster of the Cao Clan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb Cluster of the Cao Clan is located in Bozhou city, near the east gate of Cao Family Park. Currently, two tombs have been excavated: No. 2 Tomb in Dongyuan and No. 1 Tomb in Zhangyuan.

Research indicates that No. 2 Tomb in Dongyuan is the burial site of Cao Cao’s grandfather, Cao Teng, while No. 1 Tomb in Zhangyuan is the tomb of Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song. The Cao Clan Tomb Cluster has now been listed as one of Bozhou’s top ten architectural landmarks, and a large-scale Cao Si Park is currently being developed here.

The Dongyuan Village Stone Tomb is located southeast of Dongyuan Village in Bozhou City. It was cleared and excavated in 1973. According to the Records of Waterways and unearthed relics, the tomb owner is Cao Teng, Cao Cao’s grandfather. The Dongyuan Village Stone Tomb appears as a tall earthen mound, but is built with blue stone. Its entrance faces east, and the interior measures 15.3 meters in length, 10.2 meters in width, and 3 zhang in height. It consists of a passageway, front chamber, middle chamber, rear chamber, north and south side chambers, and east and west auxiliary chambers, all constructed from 872 large stone slabs. The tomb’s various chambers contain murals depicting ladies, celestial travels, astronomical charts, and paradises. The entire stone tomb is exquisitely built and massive in scale, resembling a grand underground palace. It holds significant value for studying Eastern Han history and subterranean architecture.

Unfortunately, most of the burial objects were lost to fire or theft. Artifacts recovered include a copper-threaded jade suit, jade pillow, metal pig, copper claw ornaments, and ceramic fragments. Notably, the metal pig bears a striking resemblance to today’s Berkshire breed—arched back, round body, short legs, upright ears, and protruding lips—which makes it highly valuable for researching the history of pig farming in China.

Admission & Opening Hours

Cao Family Park’s main gate houses the Cao Cao Memorial Hall, which introduces his life story. Admission is 10 RMB; other areas are free.

(1) No. 2 Stone Tomb in Dongyuan.

Protected Area: Centered on the tomb mound, extending east to Weiwu Avenue, and 10 meters beyond the walls to the west, south, and north.

Construction Control Zone: Beyond the protected area, extending east to the east side of Weiwu Avenue and the west wall of Bozhou No. 3 Middle School, south to Dongyuan Road, and west to the east side of Xuegeta Road.

(2) Xuejiadui Mound.

Protected Area: Centered on the tomb mound, extending 30 meters in all directions (east, west, south, and north).

Construction Control Zone: Beyond the protected area, extending south to the east side of Xuegeta Road, and 100 meters to the north, east, and west.

(3) Cao Si Mounds.

Protected Area: Extending west to the west side of Weiwu Avenue, 60 meters west of North Third Mounds, south to Shaohua Road, and 80 meters north of North Mounds.

Construction Control Zone: Beyond the protected area, extending 200 meters east, south to Shaohua Road, west to Sancao Road, and north to Guangming Road.

(4) Zhangyuan Han Tomb.

Protected Area: 5 meters outside the tomb’s surrounding wall.

Construction Control Zone: Beyond the protected area, extending 115 meters east, and 95 meters west, south, and north.

(5) Guanyinshan Mound.

Protected Area: Centered on the mound, extending east to Xuegeta Road, and 30 meters west, south, and north of the mound.

Construction Control Zone: Beyond the protected area, extending east to the east side of Weiwu Avenue and the west wall of Bozhou No. 3 Middle School, south to Dongyuan Road, west to Xuegeta Road’s east side.

Cao Cao (July 18, 155 – March 15, 220), courtesy name Mengde, also known as Jili and nicknamed Aman, was a Han Chinese from Qiao Commandery, Pei State (present-day Bozhou, Anhui Province). He was a renowned military strategist, statesman, and poet during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the founding figure and key architect of the Cao Wei kingdom in the Three Kingdoms period, later becoming King of Wei. After his son Cao Pi ascended the throne, he was posthumously honored as Emperor Wu of Wei.

Cao Cao’s grandfather, Cao Teng, held office during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han and was granted the title Marquis of Feiting. It is said that Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, had unclear origins. The Records of the Three Kingdoms · Annals of Emperor Wu states that “his background remains uncertain,” while the Song Dynasty scholar Pei Songzhi... More details about Cao Cao ++

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