Tomb of the Chen Family

Tomb of the Chen Family

The Tomb of the Chen Family is a cultural relic protection unit of Luohe City.

The Tomb of the Chen Family is located in Dachen Village, Daliu Town, Yuanhui District. The cemetery stretches 144 meters from east to west and 148 meters from north to south, covering an area of approximately 21,300 square meters. It currently preserves over 300 ancient tombs dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it the most well-preserved family tomb cluster in Luohe City. In June 2008, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Luohe City by the municipal government.

The Tomb of the Chen Family is renowned for the tomb of Chen Ji, which is situated at the center of the family burial ground. In front of Chen Ji’s tomb stands the “Imperial Stele with Intertwined Dragons.” This stele is exquisitely designed, grand in scale, and features clear carvings. Its top is adorned with a relief of two dragons, and the center is inscribed with the words “Granted Imperial Decree,” signifying the official rank and title bestowed upon the deceased. (Chen Ji, courtesy name Tianyi, also known as Lianxuan, was a successful candidate in the imperial examination during the second year of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty. He once served as the Prefect of Hanzhong and the Vice Commissioner of the Huguang Censorate. According to the official ranking system of the Ming Dynasty, he held the fifth-rank position, equivalent to today’s mayors of prefecture-level cities and deputy presidents of provincial high people's courts.) During his tenure, Chen Ji was known for his integrity, diligence, and devotion to the people, earning widespread respect. Moreover, as he was the teacher of Zhang Juzheng, the Chief Grand Secretary and de facto head of the cabinet at the time, Emperor Jiajing held him in high esteem. In the 12th year of the Jiajing reign, the emperor commissioned the creation of the intertwined dragon stele to posthumously honor Chen Ji’s parents, recognizing their role in nurturing a great statesman for the nation.

Dachen Village: Dachen Village in Daliu Town is located 1 kilometer east of the Daliu Town government. It lies 8 kilometers east of downtown Luohe. To the north is the Luohe–Pingdingshan Expressway, and to the south is the Luohe–Wuyang Road, offering convenient transportation. The village has a population of 3,012 and cultivates over 4,200 mu of farmland, covering a total area of 94.5 hectares. There are seven streets in the village—five running horizontally and two vertically—dividing it into ten villager groups. Dachen Village boasts a long history and culture and is a well-known ancient stockaded village in central-southern Henan. Parts of the original ancient village walls still remain. Within the village, there are two historical and cultural sites: the Chen Family Tomb Cluster and the Imperial Dragon Stele. The Chen Family Tomb Cluster is shaded by lush cypresses and is the burial site of Chen Ji, the teacher of Zhang Juzheng, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty... More details about Dachen Village++