Tomb of Xiang Daolong

Tomb of Xiang Daolong

The Tomb of Xiang Daolong is a protected cultural heritage site of Hunan Province.

The Tomb of Xiang Daolong is the joint burial site of Xiang Daolong and his wife. It is located on Renxing Mountain in Minjiachong Group, Mafang Village, Bailian Town, Hengdong County. In 1912, Huang Xing initiated the construction of the tomb and the erection of a memorial stele. The tomb faces south and measures 4.2 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width. The earthen mound is 1 meter high with a base diameter of 3 meters. The tomb is enclosed by a circular granite wall, and three white marble gravestones stand within it. The inscriptions on the steles, written in regular script, record the life of the deceased. In 1993, the People’s Government of Hengdong County designated it as a county-level cultural heritage protection site.

Xiang Daolong (1860–1899), courtesy name Xifan, art name Liangjun, was born in 1860 during the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty in Minjiachong, Bailian Township, Hengshan Prefecture (now Minjiachong, Bailian Township, Hengdong County, Hengyang City), Hunan. He was a pioneer of the Xinhai Revolution. At the age of 15, he passed the local imperial examination to become a scholar, but his opposition to the imperial examination system led to his being stripped of his scholarly title by the Qing government. After the Sino-French War, as the Qing court declined and the Chinese nation faced crisis, Xiang resolved to abandon literature for the military. Influenced by Sun Yat-sen and the Revive China Society (Xingzhonghui), he gradually embraced the ideals of “Expel the Tartars, Restore China.” In the winter of the 25th year of the Guangxu reign (October 1899), Xiang Daolong united with Peng Jisheng, Peng Zhongtai from Shiquan, and Monk Yinxin from Baiyun Ridge, organizing over a thousand peasants. They issued the “Proclamation Against the Qing” and launched an uprising. Due to betrayal, Qing troops brutally suppressed the revolt. The uprising failed, and Xiang Daolong was captured and executed. In 1912, the Provisional President of the Republic of China posthumously honored him as Grand General You of the Great Han and ordered the construction of his tomb and a memorial stele.

In 2019, the Tomb of Xiang Daolong was approved as part of the 10th batch of provincial-level protected cultural heritage sites in Hunan Province.

Xiang Daolong (1860–1899)

Courtesy name Xifan, art name Liangjun. Born in 1860 in Minjiachong, Bailian Township, Hengshan (now Hengdong County), Hunan, during the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty. Became a scholar at age 15. Opposed the imperial examination system and was stripped of his title by the Qing government. After the Sino-French War, as the Qing court declined and the nation faced peril, the young Xiang Daolong turned from literature to martial pursuits. Influenced by the Revive China Society, he became committed to the cause of “Expel the Tartars, Restore China.” In the winter of 1899 (25th year of the Guangxu reign), he united with peasants such as Peng Jisheng and Peng... [More details about Xiang Daolong++]

Mafang Village: Mafang Village... [More details about Mafang Village++]

Further Reading:

· 10th Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites in Hunan Province