Tomb of Jiangjia Mountain (Tianzi Tomb)

Tomb of Jiangjia Mountain (Tianzi Tomb)

The Tomb of Jiangjia Mountain (Tianzi Tomb) is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb of Jiangjia Mountain, also known as Tianzi Tomb, is located in the Linghu Field of Linghu Township, Zhuhui District. The tomb’s earthen mound is circular, rammed earth construction, with a base diameter of about 25 meters, a height of 6 meters, and an area of 150 square meters. In 1954, the Hunan Provincial Cultural Relics Management Committee conducted an on-site investigation of this large earthen mound tomb at Jiangjia Mountain and identified it as the tomb of Liu Wang, the Marquis of Zhongwu from the Han Dynasty. Historically, Liu Wang gathered forces in Runan to rebel against Wang Mang and declared himself the “Heavenly Son,” hence the common name “Tianzi Tomb.”

Tianzi Tomb is located within the Air Force 495 Hospital at Jiangjia Mountain. On the left side of the hospital’s drill ground stands a large oval-shaped earthen mound, 11 meters wide, 6 meters high, and 40 meters in circumference, entirely built from rammed earth, tapering towards the top, giving it a very stable appearance. Locals commonly refer to it as “Tianzi Tomb.” In 1954, the Hunan Provincial Archaeological Team excavated a large number of Western Han Dynasty ancient tombs at the hilltop of this tomb. A small tomb adjacent to Tianzi Tomb was cleared, yielding over 100 cultural relics, among which the Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze ware were the most exquisite, including a horseshoe-shaped gold ingot weighing over one jin, which was sent to the National Museum of Chinese History for exhibition. According to the "Hengyang County Annals" under the genealogy of the Marquis of Zhongwu Liu Du, in the fourth year of the Di Huang era of Wang Mang, various Liu clans rose up to overthrow Wang Mang. Thus, Liu Sheng, the Marquis of Zhongwu, gathered forces in Runan and proclaimed himself sovereign. At that time, Emperor Guangwu had just defeated Wang Mang’s general Wang Xun at Kunming. Wang Mang’s generals Yan You and Chen Mao retreated to Qiao with nowhere to go, and thus surrendered to Sheng as former Han generals. Starting in October of that year, the valiant General Liu Xin attacked and killed Liu Wang in Runan. Sheng’s rebellion lasted two months before being crushed. Whether Hengyang’s “Tianzi Tomb” is indeed the tomb of Liu Sheng remains a topic for further research.

The tomb is circular, with a base diameter of about 25 meters and an earthen mound 6 meters high. An octagonal pavilion stands atop the mound, and it is now located within a hospital of the People's Liberation Army.

In the final years of the Xin Dynasty, taking advantage of the peasant uprisings, members of the Liu imperial clan also rose up against Wang Mang. The Marquis of Zhongwu, Liu Wang, initiated an uprising in Runan in the fourth year of the Di Huang era (23 AD). That same year, Liu Xiu achieved a major victory over Wang Mang’s army, and two of Wang Mang’s generals, Yan You and Chen Mao, defected to Liu Wang. Seizing the opportunity, Liu Wang declared himself the “Heavenly Son,” but was later defeated and killed, and was buried in his fiefdom at Jiangjia Mountain, later referred to as “Tianzi Tomb.” In 1953, over 100 cultural relics, including important items such as bronze chimes and gold cakes, were unearthed from a small tomb near Tianzi Tomb. It was identified as a burial site accompanying a larger tomb, and later it was determined that this large Han Dynasty tomb belonged to a royal member of a feudal kingdom.

On July 24, 1956, the Hunan Provincial People's Committee designated it as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit, with the number 34.

On October 7, 2019, the Tomb of Jiangjia Mountain (Tianzi Tomb) was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Linghu Township: Named after the Linghu Lake within its territory, Linghu Township is the birthplace of the ancient Linglu wine (also known as Hu zhi wine). It is located in the eastern part of Zhuhui District, Hengyang City, along the lower reaches of the Lei River. To the east it borders Quanxi Town of Hengnan County, to the south Dongyangdu Town, to the west Heping Township, and to the north Chashan’ao Town, with the Lei River encircling its northeastern sides. It governs 11 villages, 132 villager groups, 2 farms, and has a population of over 21,200, covering an area of 32.78 square kilometers. The township government is located in Niupitang, Shuangjiang Village.

The area enjoys well-developed land and water transportation. The Lei River flows through the territory for 27 kilometers and is navigable all year round; Provincial Highway 1843 and the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway... More detailed information about Linghu Township++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units