Former Residence of Yu Chenglong

Former Residence of Yu Chenglong

The former residence of Yu Chenglong is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Former Residence and Tomb of Yu Chenglong

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: Laibao Village, Beiwudang Town, Fangshan County, Lüliang City (former residence)

Hengquan Village, Yukou Town, Fangshan County, Lüliang City (tomb)

Yu Chenglong was born in the 14th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1586), hailing from Yongning Prefecture, Shanxi Province during the Qing Dynasty. He began his official career in the 18th year of the Shunzhi era, successively holding positions such as county magistrate, prefect, provincial governor, circuit intendant, judicial commissioner, provincial governor-general, and grand coordinator. Wherever he served, he earned a reputation for good governance. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent and given the posthumous name “Qingduan” (Pure and Upright). Emperor Kangxi praised him as “the most incorruptible official under heaven.”

Yu Chenglong’s former residence is where he lived from childhood until the age of 44, before he passed the imperial examination to become a tribute student. Three residential courtyards remain. The original construction date is unknown, and the site is currently inhabited by his descendants.

The first courtyard is a Qing Dynasty structure facing south, originally a quadrangle courtyard that has since been divided into three sections by his descendants. The main house and the front gate still stand. The main house consists of 10 arched cave dwellings built with square bricks, seven of which on the west side are original, while the three on the east side were added later.

The second courtyard is a Qing Dynasty structure also facing south, forming a quadrangle courtyard. It includes the main house, east and west wing rooms, and a west side room. The main house has four flat-roofed arched cave dwellings made of brick. The east and west wing rooms feature single-slope flush gable roofs, and the west side room is situated between the west wing room and the main house.

The third courtyard is a Qing Dynasty structure facing south, also a quadrangle courtyard. The surviving structures include the main house and the west wing room. The north cave main house contains four cave rooms, while the west side has a total of five cave rooms.

Yu Chenglong’s tomb consists of two parts: the burial chamber and the tomb garden. The burial chamber is rectangular, measuring 3.5 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in height, with an arched roof. The chamber is constructed from porcelain bowls filled with lime and rosin, arranged in a crisscross pattern to form a stone-hard structure. The chamber is equipped with a stone door. On both sides inside the chamber are several epitaph steles. The coffin and outer coffin are made of hard wood, coated with a layer of red tung oil varnish.

The tomb garden faces west and is square-shaped, covering an area of 2,200 square meters. It is enclosed by a 2.5-meter-high blue brick fence adorned with floral patterns. A granite memorial archway gate stands on the western side. The earthen mound is located in the exact center of the eastern part of the garden, about 120 meters from the archway, covering an area of approximately 50 square meters. A dragon-headed tombstone stands in front of the tomb, flanked by 12 ancient blue stone tablets. The sacred path is paved with upright blue bricks, lined with stone statues such as human figures, horses, and sheep. The garden also houses over a hundred ancient pine and elm trees.

Yu Chenglong’s former residence served as an important site for his 45 years of farming and studying before he entered officialdom, witnessing his growth, maturity, and the development of his admirable character. The traditional architectural style and simple, unadorned design of the residence reflect the historical truth of Yu Chenglong’s clean and honest governance.

Yu Chenglong’s tomb is a valuable example of the burial practices for first-rank officials in the Qing Dynasty, providing significant insight into the burial system of that period. Its unique construction method offers tangible evidence for the study of local Qing Dynasty tomb characteristics, making it of high historical value.

On October 7, 2019, Yu Chenglong’s former residence was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Yu Chenglong, courtesy name Beiming, art name Yushan, was a native of Yongning Prefecture, Shanxi (formerly Lishi County) during the Qing Dynasty. Born in the 45th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1617) and died in the 23rd year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1684) at the age of 67, he was posthumously awarded the title “Qingduan” and the honorary title of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the 12th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1639), Yu Chenglong passed the imperial examination as a supplementary candidate. In the 18th year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1661), he began his official career, serving in various roles including county magistrate, prefect, provincial governor, circuit intendant, judicial commissioner, provincial administration commissioner, grand coordinator, provincial governor-general, and was additionally granted the titles of Minister of War and Grand Secretary. Over his more than 20-year official career, he was three times commended as “outstanding,” earning a distinguished reputation for his governance... More detailed information about Yu Chenglong++

Laibao Village: Overview of Laibao Village

Laibao Village is one of the key development villages in Beiwudang Town. The village has 257 households and a population of 896, with most villagers engaged in farming. The total area is ___ mu, including ___ mu of arable land and ___ mu of forest land. It is located five kilometers from the town government. In recent years, under the initiative of Beiwudang Town to build a famous tourism town, Laibao Village has also focused on becoming a renowned tourism village. The Yu Chenglong Hometown Tourism Co., Ltd. was established in early 2009. Currently, the construction project of the Integrity Education Base is underway, marking a successful step forward in Laibao Village’s journey to become a tourism village... More detailed information about Laibao Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units