Former Residence Scenic Area of Tao Yuanming

Former Residence Scenic Area of Tao Yuanming

The Former Residence Scenic Area of Tao Yuanming is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Former Residence Scenic Area of Tao Yuanming is located in the central part of Wushan Township, Dean County, 21 kilometers from the county town. Tao Yuanming (365–427), courtesy name Yuanchang, also known as Master Five Willows, later changed his name to Qian in his later years, and was posthumously honored by relatives and friends as Jingjie. A native of Chaisang, Xunyang during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he was the most outstanding poet of the 800-year span between the Han, Wei, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. In 2006, a tombstone of Tao Yuanming and a cluster of tombs belonging to his descendants were discovered in Caihe Village, Dean County, followed by the gradual discovery of other sites related to Tao Yuanming: Taolichong — Tao Yuanming’s second residence and the ancient tomb of Yuanming on Baihelashan; Popodi — the first ancient tomb cluster, the tomb of Tao’s mother, Lady Meng; roadside exhibits of Tao’s relics, Turtle Stone, and Drunken Stone of Yuanming; ancient post roads and Dingjia Bridge; Jingjie Ancestral Hall and the ruins of the Book Copying Hall; Niumian Di — the first residence; Taohuadong (Peach Blossom Cave), and Guanbaoyan (Official Protection Weir), among others.

This attraction not only boasts excellent natural tourism resources and ecological environment but also has a rich cultural atmosphere. Every household recites Tao’s poetry and studies his writings. It is a little-known ancient village with a history of over 2,800 years. Despite dynastic changes, over the centuries, the cultural relics, sites, remains, and legacy of Yuanming have been passed down continuously. Taolichong · Tao Yuanming’s Second Residence · Baihelashan Ancient Tomb of Tao Yuanming

Tao Yuanming’s first residence was destroyed by fire, so he moved three li away to Taolichong, where he built “eight or nine thatched cottages,” living a hard life with his mother. At the age of 37, after the death of his mother, Lady Meng, he lived in seclusion until the age of 47, when he moved to Lili in Xingzi County to live with his uncle. At the age of 60, afflicted by poverty and illness and knowing his time was near, he resolutely returned to his hometown to die where he was born, and passed away in Taolichong at the age of 63.

Ancient Tomb of Tao Yuanming

In August 2004, one morning while herding cattle, Tao Xianghong, a villager, found his cow had gone missing after breakfast. While searching, he spotted the cow in a dense stand of cogon grass. As he tried to lead the cow out, he suddenly noticed something unusual: in the center of the cogon grass was a two-square-meter patch where no weeds grew. Looking down, he saw the corner of a stone slab protruding from the ground — a gravestone. Once unearthed, the stone revealed the faint but discernible inscription: “Tomb of the Late Master Tao Qian.” After expert authentication, it was confirmed to be a genuine stele — the first of its kind discovered in China. The emergence of the ancient stele encouraged villagers to continue searching for historical materials and material culture on-site. Indeed, after exploring the surrounding hills, they discovered a large number of ancient tomb clusters, all belonging to descendants of Tao Yuanming from five generations onward.

Popodi · Tomb of Tao’s Mother, Lady Meng, and Tomb of Shangshuzhongzheng

Popodi

This is the first tomb area (three tomb areas have been developed so far). It is now a bamboo grove with dozens of ancient tombs. Among them, the tomb of Tao’s mother is the most noteworthy. The tomb of Lady Meng was originally the most intact — before [a certain period], there were three ancient camphor trees around the tomb, each so large it would take four people to encircle them. “The three paths are overgrown, yet the pines and chrysanthemums remain.” However, during [a certain period], the trees were cut down, and even the tombstone disappeared. There is also the tomb of Shangshuzhongzheng, the ninth-generation descendant of Tao Yuanming, with clear inscriptions on the stele. This Qing Dynasty stele records phrases such as “Yuanming returned and relocated to Taolichong,” adding to its authenticity. Particularly interesting is the head of the tombstone, which features an intriguing carving of Tao Yuanming riding a white crane, holding a wine pot, in a state of blissful inebriation, with vivid and lifelike expressions full of everyday charm. There are 1,217 similar ancient tombs, all registered and numbered.

Roadside Tao Relics Exhibition and Cultural Performances

On the tables under the awning are various relics collected over the past year: Han Dynasty reticulated pattern bricks, Jin Dynasty bronze coin bricks, as well as ceramic shards from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Some have been identified, while others await further verification, such as a five-legged incense burner, palm stone, Donglin Buddhist scriptures, and stone inkstones... From these, one can also glimpse the richness and antiquity of Tao culture. Moreover, the local folk customs are simple and unsophisticated, and villagers have made it a trend to recite Tao’s poetry and writings. The village committee has even compiled a book titled Selected Essential Readings of Tao Yuanming’s Poetry and Prose, encouraging descendants of the Tao family and villagers to read it as a way of inheriting Tao Yuanming’s culture — learning the spirit, the culture, and the classics. Each Tao family household displays family insignias such as “Clan of Five Willows” and “Legacy of Five Willows.” The villagers say: “We not only know how to drink, but also how to make wine. We not only inherit the noble thoughts and virtues of Tao Gong, but also improve our cultural literacy, so as not to dishonor the descendants of Tao Yuanming.”

Roadside Tao · Turtle Stone · Drunken Stone

In ancient times, Emperor Yao abdicated in favor of Emperor Shun, who then abdicated to Emperor Yu. But Yu became emperor without abdicating and even politically oppressed the Tao family. An ancestor named Taolao fled south. When setting off, he carried a statue of Emperor Yao, saying: “Ancestor, we are fleeing southward. Wherever we settle, please give us a sign. If it’s the right place, the carrying-pole ropes will snap.” When the family arrived at Turtle Stone, suddenly all eight carrying-pole ropes snapped. From then on, Taolao settled here, farming and weaving, and the family multiplied. Thus, Turtle Stone became the birthplace of the Tao family in Dean County. After the liberation, “spirit turtle” sounded inauspicious, so it was euphemistically renamed “Linju” (Forest Residence).

Tao Yuanming was fond of drinking and would get drunk every time he drank. As he walked along a stream and reached Turtle Stone, the alcohol hit him harder. In a daze, he suddenly saw a red rock more than two zhang long lying by the stream in front of the turtle, with a pool in the stream so clear you could see the bottom. By the stream stood a large ancient camphor tree, shielding the wind and sun. So, every time Tao got drunk, he would sleep on the rock. Later generations, in memory of him, called it “Drunken Stone of Yuanming.” The Drunken Stone is close to the village and beside the stream — credible enough to show the romantic sentiment of the poet.

Ancient Post Road · Dingjia Bridge

The ancient post road runs north to south through the entire village. Tao Yuanming’s great-grandfather, Tao Kan, once served as Governor of Eight Provinces, Sima of Jiangzhou, and had built a national road leading directly to his first residence, the Aoli Tao Family Courtyard.

Dingjia Stone Arch Bridge, known as Dingjia Bridge before the Song Dynasty (Ding Chaisang’s residence was nearby). There were seven stone arch bridges and five slab bridges built over the four-li stream, totaling 12 bridges. Five of them are completely intact, while two are damaged but still have remnants. There is a bridge every 500 meters on average along the small stream.

Niumian Di · First Residence

Originally, there were three wells and five large willow trees here (the prototype of “Biography of the Master of Five Willows”). The Five Willows refer to Tao’s five sons. The Tao family compound was a prominent clan with over 300 households, a thriving population, and as many as 17 stone mills alone, with several stone grinders, though only one stone mill remains today.

Peach Blossom Cave

Peach Blossom Cave is located at the foot of Changshan Mountain. Since ancient times, the mountain has been covered with wild peach blossoms, which have never been completely cut down and bloom year-round. Every spring, the mountains are a riot of colors. At the foot of the mountain is the cave, known as “Taoyuan Cave.” The cave is not high but extends deep horizontally beyond measure. Legend has it that in his youth, Tao Yuanming would call friends to the cave to cool off in the summer, and after resigning from office and returning home, he would meet friends here for chats and play chess on the rocks. Fifty meters in front of the cave is Guanbaoyan, built with official funds during Tao Kan’s service, ensuring irrigation for thousands of acres of fertile land below. Records indicate that in those days, Guanbaoyan had a wide river surface with rapid currents. In ancient times, cargo ships came and went in an endless stream, transporting minerals outward, presenting a scene of commercial prosperity. When Tao Yuanming resigned from office and returned to farming, he entered Dean County’s Fuyang River from Poyang Lake (according to the Jiujang Prefecture Records), traveled up the Boyang River past Chaisang Mountain, entered Caijia River, and then reached Guanbaoyan, arriving at his former residence, Niumian Di.

Tao Yuanming (352 or 365–427), also known as Tao Yuanchang or Tao Qian, was a great poet and fu writer of the late Eastern Jin and early Southern Song Dynasties. Tao Yuanming’s favorite flower was the chrysanthemum. He was the founder of the pastoral poetry school, having written the largest number of such poems with the highest achievements, and was the first literary figure to write a significant number of drinking poems. Tao Yuanming retreated to the countryside, indulging in nature, and was called the “Sage of Reclusive Poets Through the Ages.” His representative works include Returning to Live in Gardens and Fields, The Peach Blossom Spring, and Biography of the Master of Five Willows. In 427, Yuanming died in Xunyang, and his friends posthumously honored him as “Jingjie,” and later generations called him “Tao Jingjie.” … More details about Tao Yuanming ++

Wushan Town: Wushan Township is located in the northwest of Dean County, 17 kilometers from the county town. The Dean-Tianbai Highway and Tianwu Cement Road run through the entire area. The township covers an administrative area of 126 square kilometers, with a population of 16,000. It governs 8 administrative villages, 1 community, and 105 villager groups, making it the township with the largest administrative area and the largest agricultural population in Dean County.

Wushan Township is rich in mineral resources. Currently identified mineral types mainly include tin, lead-zinc, limestone, fluorite, and other mineral products, with nearly 100,000 tons of proven tin metal reserves and limestone reserves reaching 1 billion cubic meters. … More details about Wushan Town ++