Tomb of the King of Borneo in Nanjing

Tomb of the King of Borneo in Nanjing

The Tomb of the King of Borneo in Nanjing is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb of the King of Borneo in Nanjing is a historical testament to the friendly exchanges between China and Brunei, and holds significant historical value. The tomb is located at the southern foot of Shizigang, outside Andemen, in Tie Xin Qiao Town, Yuhu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. It is one of only two existing tombs of foreign kings in China. Today, it has been redeveloped and repackaged as a new scenic attraction in the southern suburbs, and its inclusion in the “New 48 Scenic Spots of Nanjing” is well-deserved.

Borneo refers to present-day Brunei Darussalam. In the sixth year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1408), the King of Borneo, Ma-na-je-ka-na-na, visited China and passed away in October of that year at the Huitong Guild Hall in Nanjing. He was later buried at Shizigang outside Andemen. After years of war and turmoil, the tomb of the King of Borneo was once lost to time. It wasn’t until May 1958 that the long-forgotten tomb, which locals had referred to as the “Huihui Tomb,” was rediscovered. Since then, the tomb has received meticulous care from various levels of government, with the state allocating funds multiple times for its restoration.

The Tomb of the King of Borneo faces south and is fronted by a pond, with a view of the twin peaks of Niushou Mountain. It is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north sides, making it a true “feng shui treasure land.” The tomb garden enjoys a tranquil environment with lush greenery, surrounded by thousands of trees of dozens of species, including cedar, lilac, and crape myrtle. The sacred path leading from the main gate of the tomb area to the burial site is curved, flanked by pairs of solemn and dignified stone statues.

In 2001, the Tomb of the King of Borneo was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The first phase of the restoration project, with an investment of nearly 10 million yuan, has completed the protective restoration of cultural relics and historic sites such as the stele pavilion, memorial archway, tomb mound, and sacred path. The ongoing second phase will establish a Brunei Cultural Park within the tomb area, featuring rich Bruneian regional characteristics and cultural landscapes.

Over the years, the Tomb of the King of Borneo has seen a continuous stream of visitors, and Brunei has also sent delegations specifically for homage on multiple occasions. In November last year, Brunei’s Ambassador to China, Abdul Hamid, and his wife also visited the Tomb of the King of Borneo and engaged in historical and cultural exchanges with historians. Once the Brunei Cultural Park is completed, the Tomb of the King of Borneo site will become an important venue in Nanjing for receiving tourists from Southeast Asia.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units