Xu Shui Liu Ling's Tomb

Xu Shui Liu Ling's Tomb

Liu Ling's Tomb in Xu Shui is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Liu Ling's Tomb is located 10 kilometers west of Xu Shui County, 200 meters west of Suicheng Village, and 300 meters south of Zhanghua Village, with the Xu (Shui)–Da (Wangdian) Highway situated just 50 meters to the south of the tomb. Legend has it that Liu Ling and Zhanghua were close friends, and Liu traveled a great distance to visit his friend in Zhanghua Village, where he passed away. This tomb faces Zhanghua Tomb across the way.

The existing Liu Ling's Tomb faces south, with a circular earthen mound approximately 3 meters in diameter and 1 meter high. According to the county annals, it was renovated in the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign (1758) by Xie Changyan, the magistrate of Ansu County, who also constructed the Wine Virtue Pavilion. The pavilion was destroyed long ago, but its commemorative stele still remains. The stele is made of bluestone, standing 103 cm tall, 68 cm wide, and 19.5 cm thick. The base measures 83 cm in length, 56 cm in width, and 25 cm in thickness. The top of the stele is carved with a relief design of two dragons playing with a pearl, with the central inscription in regular script reading “Everlasting Fame.” The front side of the stele bears the inscription in regular script: “Record of the Renovation of Liu Bolun’s Tomb and the Wine Virtue Pavilion.” The lower part of the inscription is adorned with relief carvings of lotus petals. The reverse side of the stele features cloud motifs at the top and the central inscription in regular script reading “Inscriptions on the Back of the Stele,” followed by the names of donors.

In September 1952, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Hebei Province.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province