Qingle Mausoleum (Tomb of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong of Later Zhou)

Qingle Mausoleum (Tomb of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong of Later Zhou)

Qingle Mausoleum (Tomb of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong of Later Zhou) is a cultural relic protection unit in Henan Province.

Qingle Mausoleum is the tomb of Emperor Shizong Chai Rong, the Enlightened Martial and Filial Literary Emperor of Later Zhou, known as the "Qingle Mausoleum." It is located on the western side of Shangling in Linghou Village, Guodian Town, Xinzheng, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. On June 20, 1963, the Qingle Mausoleum of Emperor Shizong of Zhou was designated as one of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in Henan Province.

Emperor Shizong Chai Rong (October 27, 921 – July 27, 959) was the emperor of Later Zhou during the Five Dynasties period, reigning for six years. He was from Chaijiazhuang in Yaoshan, Xingtai (now Longyao County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province). His grandfather Chai Weng and father Chai Shouli were prominent local figures. Raised in the household of his uncle by marriage, Guo Wei, he was known for his prudence and integrity, which led Guo Wei to adopt him as a foster son. In his youth, he accompanied the merchant Jiedie to trade tea in Jiangling, gaining firsthand experience of societal ills. Historical records describe him as "heroic in stature and appearance, skilled in horseback riding and archery, with a basic knowledge of literature, history, and Daoist classics, and a solemn, taciturn personality." In 951, Guo Wei established Later Zhou and appointed Chai Rong to govern Chan Prefecture, where he "administered with integrity and discipline, keeping bandits at bay." In 954, after Guo Wei’s death, Chai Rong ascended the throne.

During his reign, Chai Rong reorganized the military, eliminated inefficiencies, pacified rebellions, and reduced taxes, leading to clean governance, prosperity among the people, and the gradual revival of the Central Plains. He also waged military campaigns, defeating Later Shu in the west and capturing the four commanderies of Qin, Feng, Cheng, and Jie; crushing Southern Tang in the south and annexing 14 commanderies north and south of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers; and breaking through Khitan defenses in the north, conquering two commanderies and three passes. He fell ill while planning to take Youzhou and died soon after at the age of 39. His temple name is Shizong, and his posthumous title is Enlightened Martial and Filial Literary Emperor.

Tomb Introduction

Chai Rong’s Qingle Mausoleum is located on the western side of Shangling in Linghou Village, Guodian Town, Xinzheng City. On June 20, 1963, the Qingle Mausoleum of Emperor Shizong of Zhou was designated as one of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in Henan Province. On June 25, 2001, it was listed as part of the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The existing tomb mound of Emperor Shizong stands 10 meters high with a circumference of 105 meters. In the early Ming Dynasty, a square-shaped mausoleum park was built with brick walls 200 meters on each side. The main gate faced south, and inside the courtyard, there was a 3-meter-wide, 80-meter-long pathway leading directly to the tomb. Cypress trees were planted around the tomb, and a square altar was placed in front of it, surrounded by numerous stone stelae. During the Republican era, the mausoleum park was destroyed amid warlord conflicts. On November 11, 2001, the Xinzheng municipal government renovated the mausoleum park.

Chai Rong’s Tomb refers to the mausoleum built for Emperor Shizong Chai Rong. The tomb is situated near Guodian Town, Xinzheng, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. The villages surrounding Chai Rong’s tomb are called Lingshangcun, Linghoucun, and Linggangcun. The original tomb mound of Qingle Mausoleum stood 20 meters high with a circumference of 105 meters. In the early Ming Dynasty, the tomb was renovated with the construction of a tomb gate and enclosing walls, surrounded by towering ancient cypresses. By the early Republican era, the tomb had largely been destroyed. Today, the tomb mound of Emperor Shizong stands about 10 meters high with a circumference of several dozen meters, showing clear signs of trampling. The eastern and western sides have been encroached upon by houses and wheat fields, leaving no traces of walls or gates. Only a solitary locust tree stands atop the mound. As the site was designated a national cultural relic protection unit in 2001, the Xinzheng municipal government erected a tomb stele inscribed with “Tomb of Emperor Shizong of Zhou” in front of the mound at the end of that year and planted new cypress trees. Behind the stele are approximately 30 stone tablets left by emperors, officials, and literati throughout history, all praising the achievements of Emperor Shizong, along with some scattered ancient fragmented stelae in front of the tomb.

Like most tombs from the Later Zhou period, Chai Rong’s tomb did not occupy a large area nor feature extravagance or waste, reflecting the Later Zhou rulers’ concern for the people’s livelihood and their frugal, unadorned values. Though modest in size, the mausoleum and the commemorative stelae erected within hold significant historical value and stand as strong evidence of the legacy of the Later Zhou imperial tombs. There are about 28 stelae in total—an astonishing number.

Chai Rong was also an exceptionally capable and talented individual. After ascending the throne, he devoted himself to governance, reorganized the military, and made significant contributions to expanding the nation’s territory. During the Cultural Revolution, many stelae in the mausoleum park were damaged. Originally numbering 44, only 33 remain today. The earliest dates back to the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, while the latest is from the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty. The construction of Chai Rong’s tomb holds profound significance for future generations.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in Henan Province