General Wang Xing's Tomb

General Wang Xing's Tomb

General Wang Xing's Tomb is a cultural heritage site protected by Guangzhou Municipality.

General Wang Xing's Tomb is located by Nanxiu Lake in Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou. The tomb faces west and has a mound-shaped earthen burial site. The tombstone is inscribed with the words “Tomb of General Wang Xing of the Southern Ming Dynasty Who Died for His Country Resisting the Qing, and His Wives and Concubines.” Behind the tomb stands a stone epitaph measuring 0.55 meters in height and 0.45 meters in width. The tomb was originally discovered in 1952 in Nanji Village, where the tombstone had already been lost. Inside the burial chamber was a large pottery jar with an epitaph stone covering its mouth, containing ashes and fragments of gold jewelry. In 1954, the tomb was relocated to Yuexiu Park by the Guangzhou Cultural Relics Management Committee. The current epitaph stone is the original, while the tombstone was engraved at the time of relocation.

Wang Xing (1615–1659), courtesy name Dianhui, was a native of Enping, Guangdong. In the late Ming Dynasty, he raised a rebel force in Enping, later supporting the Southern Ming regime. He was appointed Deputy General by Emperor Longwu and tasked with defending Yangjiang, Yangchun, and surrounding areas. Later, Emperor Yongli appointed him Commander-in-Chief and Tiger Vanguard General, and also conferred on him the title of Marquis of Guangning.

In July 1657, the 14th year of the Shunzhi reign, Shang Kexi, Prince Pingnan, dispatched 100,000 troops to attack Enping by both land and water. On the night of August 17, 1659, the 16th year of Shunzhi, Wang Xing ordered his 16 wives and concubines to hang themselves first, then set fire to the house and died for his country. The next day, Qing troops collected the remains of the 17 individuals and placed them in a large coffin that Wang Xing had prepared in advance. Later, his younger brother Shang Wen and his sons Mao Lie and Mao Xi relocated the ashes of the 17 to NANJI Village, south of Guangzhou city. According to the "Panyu County Annals," the original tombstone inscription read: “Tomb of Royal Ming Tiger Vanguard General and County Marquis Dianhui Wang, together with His Chaste Primary Wife Madam Zhang, First-Rank Lady, and Fifteen Concubines.”

In 1963, the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Committee designated it as a cultural heritage protection unit.

Further reading:

· First Batch of Guangzhou Cultural Heritage Protection Units