Tomb of Li Weiguang

Tomb of Li Weiguang

The Tomb of Li Weiguang is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tomb of Li Weiguang was originally located in Taojiaoli, Huacheng Town, Wuhua County, and was built during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. In the second year of the Republic of China (1913), it was relocated to the northwest slope of Shannao in Changkengli, Sanqingtang. The tomb is constructed of lime-sand mortar and is shaped like an armchair, facing southeast and situated to the northwest. It measures 6 meters in length and 6 meters in width, covering an area of approximately 40 square meters. The tomb includes a worship platform, and at the head of the grave stands a bluestone tombstone, which is 55 centimeters high and 42 centimeters wide. The inscription, carved in intaglio regular script, reads in the center: “The Tomb of Li Weiguang, the 19th Generation Ancestor of the Li Clan, Posthumously Honored as Zhongxiao Duanhe, Titled as Marquis of Loyalty and Filial Piety, Who Achieved the Highest Rank in the Imperial Martial Examination and Served as Commander of Nan’ao Defense Garrison, of the Great Qing Dynasty”; on the right: “Erected on the Auspicious Day of the Winter Season, the Second Year of the Republic of China (1913)”; and on the left: “Perpetually Worshipped by the Four Major Lineages.” The tomb is currently well-preserved.

Li Weiguang (1735–1795), courtesy name Zuojí and literary name Taoting, was a native of Huangpu Township, Changle (present-day Wuhua), and ranked first in the metropolitan imperial examination (Huiyuan) in the 37th year of the Qianlong reign (1772). He later achieved the top honor in the martial arts category of the palace examination (Zhuangyuan). He served in various official positions, ranging from imperial bodyguard to Commander of the Nan’ao Defense Garrison, and returned to his hometown in his later years due to illness. He was posthumously granted the hereditary title of General of Martial Merit for four generations.