Hometown of Tao Shu

Hometown of Tao Shu

The hometown of Tao Shu is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The hometown of Tao Shu is located in Shawanping, Xiaoyan Town, and was built with funds allocated by the imperial court. The cemetery covers an area of 50 mu, surrounded by walls. On the right side of the entrance is the Imperial Stele Pavilion, inside which two giant stone turtles carry a stele inscribed with calligraphy by the famous scholar He Shaoji and bestowed by Emperor Daoguang. To the left inside the gate lies Tao Shu’s tomb, in front of which are a tomb tablet, stone figurines, stone horses, stone tigers, and stone rabbits, giving it a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

In 1996, it was approved as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Hunan Province. The Shangshu Residence is located on the north bank of the Zi River, about 3 kilometers downstream from the Tao Shu Cemetery. It includes the Governor’s Mansion, Taibao Mansion, Local Sages’ Shrine, Imperial Book Tower, Stone Carved Dragon and Phoenix Gate, Twin Jade Fragrance, and the Water Diversion Stone Canal.

The Moon Over the Literary Pagoda is situated on the north bank of Shimen Pool in the Zi River. It was funded and built by Tao Shu in 1836 when he returned to his hometown. The pagoda is 21 meters high, octagonal with seven stories, and has 32 bronze bells on the corners of the fourth to seventh floors. When the wind blows, the bells chime like celestial music. The first-floor white marble plaque is inscribed with the imperial calligraphy “Yin Xin Shi Wu” (Seal Heart Stone House) by Emperor Daoguang, while the second floor features a blue stone plaque inscribed with “Wen Lan Pagoda.” This ancient pagoda stands majestically amid towering mountains and valleys, nestled between green hills and clear waters.

On the south bank of the Zi River, across from the Wenlan Pagoda, there is a cliff 55 meters long and 22.5 meters high. At the mountaintop, a protruding rock resembles a turtle, commonly known as the “Turtle Cliff.” In 1836, when Tao Shu returned home, he had the four characters “Yin Xin Shi Wu” bestowed by Emperor Daoguang engraved on the rock, hence it is called the “Imperial Inscription Cliff,” which has been celebrated for over 160 years.

The cultural scenic area of Tao Shu’s hometown is also scattered with unique natural landscapes such as the Dragon Spitting Pearls, Wind and Rain Greeting Guests, Frogs Facing Off, The Legend of the Gauze Hat, Seven Stars Shining, Turtle and Snake Dueling, Dragon Crossing the River, and Three Lords Competing for the Seal.

Xiaoyan Town: Overview of Xiaoyan Town

Xiaoyan Town is located in the northeastern part of the county, 30 kilometers from the county seat. It covers a total area of 177.05 square kilometers and governs 46 villages and 4 neighborhood committees. In 2000, the total population was 36,217, including 5,393 non-agricultural residents. Xiaoyan is one of the ancient towns of Anhua. Legend has it that in the 17th year of the Jiading era during the Southern Song Dynasty, Lizong, the son of Emperor Ningzong, passed through here on his way to the capital (Hangzhou) to ascend the throne from Shaoyang. Suddenly, the water level in Shimen Pool rose unexpectedly, causing him to stay here for the whole day—hence the name “Xiaoyan” (Little Flood). Xiaoyan is the hometown of Tao Shu, who served as the Viceroy of Liangjiang during the Qing Dynasty. Today, the town preserves Tao Shu’s tomb, the Wenlan Pagoda, and the imperial inscription “Yin Xin…” More detailed information about Xiaoyan Town++