Tomb of Duke Yu

Tomb of Duke Yu

The Tomb of Duke Yu is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotism education base.

The Tomb of Duke Yu is located in Yucheng Township, Renshou County, adjacent to the Black Dragon Lake Scenic Area, and serves as a branch attraction within the Black Dragon Lake tourist zone. It lies 16 kilometers from the county seat and 32 kilometers from Meishan City. In March 2002, it was designated by the county government as one of the first batch of tourist areas, covering a tourism area of 100,000 square kilometers.

The Tomb of Yu Yunwen, also known as the Chancellor’s Tomb, is located west of Chengxiang Village, Yucheng Township, Renshou County. Yu Yunwen, courtesy name Binfu, was a native of Outang Township, Renshou County. He was a renowned statesman and military strategist of the Southern Song Dynasty. In 1161, he led 18,000 soldiers to defeat over 100,000 Jin troops at Caishi Ferry, creating a miracle of victory against overwhelming odds in ancient military history. Mao Zedong, while reading the Twenty-Four Histories, praised him, saying: “Great indeed is Duke Yu, a man unique through the ages.”

According to the Renshou County Annals: “The tomb of the loyal and solemn Duke Yu of the Song Dynasty is situated on Yuping Mountain, thirty li west of the county seat. It was built in the first year of the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1174). Stone figures of officials and horses were erected as attendants, stone sheep and pigs as offerings, and two ornamental columns were erected. The site was enclosed by a stone wall. The original shrine has been lost. The tomb is five chi high and two zhang deep through the center. The front edge of the tomb reaches fifty-two bows to the stone wall boundary, the rear extends fifty-two bows to the mountaintop, the left side stretches sixty-seven bows to the mountain ridge, and the right side spans thirty-two bows and four sections.” The Chancellor’s Tomb has been guarded through generations by the Song family, who were hereditary tomb protectors. During the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, local official Mao Yi, Qing Dynasty’s Tongzhi-era Magistrate Mao Xufeng, and Guangxu-era Magistrate He Qixiang all undertook repairs and preservation efforts on the Duke’s tomb, reconstructing the tomb stele.

The tomb is situated at the foot of Yuping Mountain in Yucheng Township. In its initial construction, there were two burial chambers, one in front of the other, along with stone figures of officials and horses as attendants, stone sheep and pigs as offerings, as well as a tomb platform and worship platform. Two stone pillar lamp stands were erected, and the entire area was enclosed by a stone wall several hundred feet wide (now destroyed). What remains today are the tomb platform and the tomb stele erected in the 19th year of the Guangxu era (1893) by Magistrate He Xiang.

In front of the Chancellor’s Tomb lies a deep valley, while behind it rises a high ridge. Majestic and handsome in appearance, the tomb is positioned midway up the mountainside, resembling a chair. On both sides, two continuous mountain ridges extend outward, like soldiers standing guard in formation, exuding an imposing aura. In the distance, it faces Shamao Mountain, giving off a distinct air of regal dignity. The area surrounding the tomb is shaded by emerald cypresses and green bamboos, blocking out the sun and creating a captivating atmosphere. In recent years, it has hosted visits from central, provincial, and municipal leaders, and every year sees elementary and middle school students visiting to pay respects. It serves as a patriotism education base in Renshou County.