Tomb of Yi Yin

Tomb of Yi Yin

The Tomb of Yi Yin is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located in Weigudui Village, about 20 kilometers southwest of Yucheng County. The tomb is 3 meters high and has a circumference of 46 meters. Around the tomb stand over 180 tall ancient cypresses. Among them is a unique "bird cypress," whose branches and leaves strikingly resemble the shape of a bird. It is said that even its growth rings display a bird-like pattern, making it extremely rare. In front of the tomb lies the Yi Yin Temple, which originally included an offering hall, winding fences, a bell tower, auxiliary rooms, a main gate, and enclosing walls. Today, only two main halls and a decorative opera stage remain. On the traditional dates of the second day of the second lunar month, the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, and the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, villagers from nearby provinces flock to the temple fair, creating a lively and bustling scene.

According to Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Yi Yin was the prime minister of King Tang of the Shang Dynasty, assisting him in overthrowing King Jie of the Xia Dynasty. One account says he was originally a kitchen servant of the Youxin clan. When the daughter of the Youxin clan married King Tang as a concubine, he was given to the Shang as part of her dowry. During a conversation with King Tang, Yi Yin spoke of cooking techniques before transitioning to governance, advising the king to adopt virtuous rule. Recognizing his great talent, King Tang appointed him as prime minister. Another version states that Yi Yin was a recluse, and only after being respectfully invited five times by King Tang did he come out of seclusion to become the prime minister, helping Tang establish his kingdom.

Yi Yin was not only an outstanding statesman but also a great pharmacologist in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. According to some pharmacological texts, Yi Yin pioneered the use of pottery vessels for boiling herbal medicines, making them more convenient to consume, reducing side effects, and significantly enhancing their efficacy.

The bird cypress in the southwest corner of Yi Yin’s tomb has an interesting legend. Hundreds of years ago, several merchants from the south came to do business here. Upon hearing of the bird cypress’s uniqueness, they secretly sawed off a plank and transported it south. When the people of Weigudui discovered this, they followed the trail of fallen cypress leaves and chased the thieves all the way to the Yangtze River. Seeing the pursuers approach, the southerners realized they could not take the plank with them and threw it into the river. After the plank fell into the water, birds mysteriously swarmed the river surface. The people of Weigudui retrieved the plank and brought it back, reinstalling it in its original spot on the tree. The plank quickly fused back with the trunk. Perhaps due to soaking in the Yangtze River or reuniting with the tree, the plank flourished and grew slightly taller than the trunk. Visitors today can still see the healed marks where the plank rejoined the tree.

Scenic area address: Weigudui Village, Dianji Township, Yucheng County　

Prime minister of the Shang Dynasty, renowned royal chef of King Tang, honored as the “Sage of Cuisine.” The “Yi Yin Decoction” has been celebrated for millennia.

Yi Yin (circa early 17th century BC), also known as Yi or Zhi, styled himself A Heng. He was a native of Shen (present-day Shen County, Shandong Province). Yi Yin is considered China’s earliest food connoisseur and the originator of herbal decoctions. Initially a farmer in the fields of Shen, he later became a chef. Legend says he once carried a tripod and chopping board, using his culinary skills (art of cooking) to persuade King Tang. The king sent envoys to respectfully invite him and appointed him as prime minister, honoring him as “A Heng.” Yi Yin assisted Tang in overthrowing Xia and establishing the Shang Dynasty. After Tang’s death, he continued to support Kings Zhong Kang and Tai Ding... More details about Yi Yin ++