Chengde Yang Hong’s Tomb

Chengde Yang Hong’s Tomb

Yang Hong’s Tomb in Chicheng County is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Yang Hong’s Tomb is located to the west of Yangjiafen Village, Yangtian Township, Chicheng County. It was the family cemetery of Yang Hong, the Marquis of Changping during the Ming Dynasty. The tomb complex stretches 250 meters from north to south and 80 meters from east to west, covering an area of 20,000 square meters. With a spacious and spiritually enriching layout, this site is considered a uniquely auspicious geomantic treasure. In July 1993, it was announced by the People's Government of Hebei Province as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

The cemetery features five tombs arranged from east to west. Tomb No. 1 belongs to Yang Hong. Its circular mound is six meters in diameter, built with brick and stone. The base consists of stone slabs, and under the eaves of the tomb roof are carved bracket sets. A coiled gate faces south at the bottom. To the west lies Tomb No. 2, the burial site of Yang Hong’s mother, Lady Shi. The site has two spirit paths. The eastern path belongs to Yang Hong. At its southern end stand two stone beasts, followed by a stone drum pillar, a stone memorial archway, stone lions, stone pigs, stone sheep, stone horses, as well as stone statues of military generals and civil officials. The stele of Yang Hong’s Spirit Path was composed and inscribed by his close friend Wang Yue, the governor of Datong, and Ye Sheng, the imperial censor of the Xuanfu Censorate. It offers a detailed account of Yang Hong’s valiant military life. The western path belongs to Yang Hong’s mother. Although smaller in scale, it shares a similar layout. The tomb complex was first built in the 16th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1418 AD), and was used by generations until the late Ming period, when it still received worship.

On September 13, the 2nd year of the Jingtai reign (1451 AD), Yang Hong passed away at the age of 71. Emperor Jingtai posthumously honored him as the Duke of Ying with the posthumous name “Wu Xiang,” and granted him a grand burial. The imperial court suspended official duties for one day. Deeply saddened, the emperor, ministers, and military commanders all mourned his death. His nephew, Yang Xin, erected a memorial stele for him. Initially buried on the western hills of the capital, Yang Hong was later moved by his elder brother, Marquis Yang Jun of Changping, to Chicheng beyond the frontier.

Not only was Yang Hong renowned throughout the court, but his descendants also contributed greatly to the nation. His eldest son, Yang Jun, served as the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Vanguard Garrison Command; his second son, Yang Jie, inherited the marquis title; his nephew, Yang Neng, rose to the rank of Marquis of Wuqiang; and Yang Xin was titled Marquis of Zhangwu... Sixteen members of the Yang family earned official positions through military service. The family produced three barons and marquises, with fathers, sons, brothers, nephews, and in-laws alike bearing the seal of generals—truly a family of military heroes. Over twenty individuals, including Yang Jun and Yang Neng, are buried in Yangjiafen. Until the end of the Qing Dynasty, descendants of the Yang family continued to appoint caretakers and frequently maintained the ancestral tombs.

Location: West of Yangjiafen Village, Yangtian Township, Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take a bus from Chicheng County to Yangtian Township, and get off at Yangjiafen Village along the way.

Yang Hong (1381–1451), a general of the mid-Ming Dynasty.

At the foot of Zhaiding Mountain, seven kilometers southeast of Chicheng County in Hebei Province and beside Qinglegang, stands a solemn and dignified ancient tomb. Facing south and backed by rolling hills, the site enjoys an excellent orientation—the roaring Gushui River winds around the southern edge of the tomb before flowing eastward, while the thick earth plateau leans against the high mountains and bathes in the southern sunlight. The expansive spirit path is flanked by numerous surviving stone statues, memorial archways, and drum pillars. Despite over 500 years of weathering, these relics remain majestic and lifelike. Numerous inscribed stelae dot the site, their legible characters recounting the tomb owner’s lifelong dedication to guarding China’s northern frontiers... More details about Yang Hong ++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province