Tomb of Lei Lilu

Tomb of Lei Lilu

The Tomb of Lei Lilu is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located approximately 3 kilometers northeast of the old city, near the current Shuicheng East Station on the Guiyang-Kunming Railway, the tomb sits on the mid-slopes of Zhoujiazhai in Jiaochang Village, Hecheng Subdistrict. It is a circular stone tomb, commonly known as “Mo Tomb,” facing south with its back to the north, standing 2.5 meters high and with a diameter of about 3 meters. The structure features one stele and two pillars, flanked by side ears, topped with a hip-and-gable roof-style stele cap. The stone stele is 1.65 meters high, 0.22 meters wide, and 0.18 meters thick. The couplet on the stele reads: “The burial site chosen, like an ox resting, echoes the virtue of the Chu-Xiang lineage; the honored mound stands as a distinguished family name along the rivers of Guizhou.”

Lei Lilu, originally from Hunan, was born on the second day of the twelfth lunar month in 1774 at Luobieguanzhai in Langdai Ting (now Guanzhai Village, Xinfang Township, Anxi District, Zhenning County). He passed away on the second day of the tenth lunar month in 1831 at the vegetable garden in Changba. He made a living primarily by operating silver mines (lead and zinc mines), notably the Chuanyandong Lead-Zinc Mine and Wanfu Factory, and was widely known as “Lei the Big Steward.” After decades of operation, he became extremely wealthy. According to the "Biographies" section of the Shuicheng County Annals, “Whenever temples, bridges, or roads were to be built, he generously contributed funds, often several times more than others.” He made significant contributions to local public welfare projects and was also known for his filial piety. On June 3, 1989, his tomb was designated as a county-level cultural relics protection unit.