The Nandong Yuan Dynasty Ancient Tombs

The Nandong Yuan Dynasty Ancient Tombs

The Nandong Yuan Dynasty Ancient Tombs are a cultural relics protection unit of Hebei Province.

The Nandong Yuan Dynasty Ancient Tombs are located in Nandong Village, Gaocheng City, approximately 12.5 kilometers northwest of downtown Gaocheng. This site also serves as the location of the Nandong Town government. In 1988, the tombs were designated as a county-level key cultural relics protection unit, and in March 2001, they were further recognized as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit by the Hebei Provincial Government.

Situated to the east of Nandong Village, the Nandong Yuan Dynasty Ancient Tombs are the burial grounds of Dong Jun and his sons and brothers—pioneering figures of the Yuan Dynasty—including many of their descendants. During the Yuan Dynasty, the Dong family held high-ranking official positions, with father and son both serving in the imperial court. The tomb complex occupies a vast and elevated area of 981 acres, divided into front and rear sections. The front section is the burial site of Dong Wenbing and his sons, forming part of the Yuan Dynasty ancient tombs complex. It features nine imperial stele tablets along the spirit way. Each row of the spirit way is adorned with elaborately crafted archways, grand memorial gates, and stone statues—all made from fine white marble. The stone guardian figures (stone warriors) stand at an impressive height of 2.5 meters. The rear section serves as the cemetery for later generations of the Dong family. With numerous family members having served as officials throughout various dynasties and receiving posthumous titles from emperors, the entire site is filled with a forest of stone tablets and towering ancient cypress trees, presenting a majestic and solemn atmosphere. Guardians from the Dong family have historically been appointed to maintain and protect the tombs through the ages.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units