Former Residence and Tomb of Tan Zhenlin

Former Residence and Tomb of Tan Zhenlin

The former residence and tomb of Tan Zhenlin are designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The tomb of Tan Zhenlin is located at the eastern foot of Shishiling in Youzhou Park on the west side of Zhongxin Avenue in Youxian County. In accordance with Tan Zhenlin’s last wishes and the request of the people of Youxian County, on April 4, 1988, part of his ashes were interred at the Tan Zhenlin Tomb in the Martyrs' Park of Youxian County, with the tombstone personally inscribed by Yang Shangkun. In September 1995, the ashes of Tan Zhenlin’s wife, Ge Huimin, were interred together with those of Tan Zhenlin. In April 2002, with the approval of the relevant authorities, the tomb was relocated within Youzhou Park. In June 1999, the People's Government of Youxian County designated the tomb as a county-level cultural relic protection unit, and in the same year, it was also listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. In 2011 (province 9).

The cemetery covers an area of 9,280 square meters. The entire cemetery is divided into three sections: the parking area, spanning 3,500 square meters with a cement surface; the second level, featuring the bronze statue area, covering 4,200 square meters with pavement bricks; and the third level, the burial area, which is 1,500 square meters. The surrounding area of the cemetery is planted with ligustrum, red holly, and lawns, with over 30% of the area covered in greenery. The tomb is situated toward the back along the central axis of the burial area, edged with marble, measuring 5 meters east-west, 5.4 meters north-south, and 1.20 meters in height. The tombstone, made of white marble, measures 1.20 × 1.80 meters, inscribed with: Tomb of Tan Zhenlin / Yang Shangkun. Eight meters behind the tomb is a screen wall inscribed with a biography of Tan Zhenlin. The bronze statue is located 20 meters in front of the tomb, standing 3.8 meters tall. Tan is depicted wearing a dark velvet hat and a trench coat, with his hands clasped and gaze fixed forward. The statue base is square-shaped, measuring 2.1 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, and 3.0 meters high, with a black marble veneer. It was erected in September 2004 by Tan Zhenlin’s children and relatives.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province