The Ancestral Temple and Tomb of Min Ziqian

The Ancestral Temple and Tomb of Min Ziqian

The Ancestral Temple and Tomb of Min Ziqian is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The Ancestral Temple and Tomb of Min Ziqian are located in Minci Village, Caotown. Surrounded by mountains on three sides with springs flowing, the site enjoys an elegant environment. Adjacent to National Highway 206, it is easily accessible. It is one of the key historical and cultural sites in our city and is designated as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

Minzi, whose given name was Sun and courtesy name Ziqian, was a native of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period, a disciple of Confucius, and ranked first among the Seventy-Two Wise Men, with virtues comparable to those of Yan Yuan. Minzi was renowned throughout the land for his filial piety. Confucius praised him, saying: “How filial Min Ziqian is — no one finds fault between him and his parents or brothers.” During the Song Dynasty, the emperor honored Minzi as the “Sage of the Capital Region,” and successive emperors bestowed plaques and titles upon him. Literati composed poems and inscriptions in his honor, and his noble deeds and virtues have been celebrated as timeless legends. Minzi’s tomb faces south and is situated to the north. It stands 6 meters high and has a diameter of 40 meters. Nearby are two medium-sized tombs, said to be those of Minzi’s two younger brothers. These tombs are 2 meters high and 24 meters in diameter. The entire burial area covers approximately 6,400 square meters. The cemetery is densely forested with pine and cypress trees, and the “Pine Breeze at Min’s Tomb” has long been one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Suzhou.

The Min Ancestral Temple was first built in the Song Dynasty. Fourteen halls still stand today, and within the temple are ancient cypresses and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree. Outside the temple are two stele pavilions, and by the road to the east of the temple stands a memorial archway inscribed with the words “Hometown of the Sage Min.” Southeast of the temple are the Filial Piety Spring and the former residence of Minzi.

Nearby the Min Ancestral Temple are also attractions such as Qian Mountain, the Book-Drying Terrace, the Washing Gully, the Lotus Pond, the Reed Flower Slope, and the Ink-Washing Pool. This area boasts not only enchanting natural scenery but also captivating legends and stories.

Protected Area: In addition to the existing ancestral temple and tomb areas, the protected zone extends east to the western edge of National Highway 206, south to 20 meters south of the east-west ditch in front of the village, west to 20 meters west of the western edge of the Wash Beard Gully, and north to 100 meters north of the northern edge of Min Ziqian’s Tomb.

Construction Control Zone: A buffer zone extending 500 meters outward from the protected boundaries in all four cardinal directions (east, south, west, and north).

Minci Village: Minci Village is located 2 kilometers south of Caotown, bordering Caocun Village of Caotown to the north, Baimiao Village of Xiaoxian County to the west, Hebei Village to the south, and Chentun Mountain to the east. The village enjoys a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. The Beijing-Shanghai Railway runs west of the village, while National Highway 206 cuts through it from north to south. The Lianyungang-Horgos and Hefei-Xuzhou expressways are respectively 10 and 12 kilometers away, making transportation very convenient. Nestled on the sunny side of Qian Mountain, the village lies against the mountain, which is covered with lush pine and cypress trees and dotted with peculiar rocks, offering a beautiful environment. The Ancestral Temple and Tomb of Min Ziqian in the village have a history of over two thousand years and have been listed as a key cultural relics protection unit by the provincial government.

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