Cai Lun’s Tomb and Temple

　　    A national AAA-level scenic spot and a state-level cultural heritage site, located in Longting Town, 10 kilometers east of Yang County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. Here, ancient cypresses tower above, halls stand in close succession, and stone tablets are densely erected, creating a serene and picturesque landscape. Cai Lun, the inventor of papermaking—one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China—is laid to rest here. For thousands of years, he has been revered by generations, making this a sacred site visited by all those around the world who pursue civilization and progress.

　　     Cai Lun’s tomb mound rises majestically and is an extraordinary sight. Amidst ancient trees, a series of stone tablets, stone sheep, and stone figures stand neatly in front of the tomb. The “Genealogy Stele of Cai Lun” documents the historical lineage of the Cai family. In front of the tomb, there is also a memorial pavilion inscribed with the characters “Cai Lun’s Tomb” written by Zhao Puchu, and a hanging floral gate adorned with a plaque bearing the same inscription, handwritten by Yu Youren, a veteran statesman and renowned calligrapher. Behind Cai Lun’s tomb lies the “Bright Moon Pond,” where there used to be a pavilion that served as Cai Lun’s shrine.

　　     The entire Cai Lun Mausoleum complex is divided into northern and southern sections. The tomb area lies to the north, while to the south is the Temple of Marquis Cai. Along the central axis of the Temple of Marquis Cai, from south to north, are the Mountain Gate, the Worship Hall, the Offering Hall, and the Main Hall. A plaque inscribed with “Temple of Marquis Cai,” written in the hand of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty, hangs high above the gate of the Main Hall. Inside the hall stands a statue of Cai Lun. On the right wall is a painting depicting the production process of “Cai Lun Paper,” while on the left is a mural showing the scene of Cai Lun being granted the title of Marquis of Longting in the year 114 AD. Flanking the central axis of the Temple of Marquis Cai are other ancient structures such as a bell tower, a drum tower, side rooms, and a theater.

　　    Cai Lun, courtesy name Jingzhong, was a native of Guiyang Commandery (present-day Leiyang City), Hunan Province, during the Eastern Han Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Han, he served as the Director of the Imperial Workshop (Shangfang Ling), overseeing the production of imperial utensils. In the first year of Yuanxing during the reign of Emperor He of Han (105 AD), he successfully improved the method of papermaking, using materials such as tree bark, hemp heads, rags, and old fishing nets to produce paper that was both high-quality and affordable, which was then approved for widespread use by the imperial court.

　　    Cai Lun invented papermaking and is revered by later generations as the “Sage of Paper.” People from around the world visit Cai Lun’s Tomb and the Cai Lun Paper Culture Museum to pay their respects and honor this pioneering innovator. In the western section of the Cai Lun Mausoleum, the “Cai Lun Paper Culture Museum” has been established. It integrates collection, exhibition, and the reproduction of the original Han Dynasty papermaking workshop processes, allowing visitors to observe and even participate in live demonstrations of making “Marquis Cai Paper.”

　　Cai Lun (61~121)　　     Cai Lun (102–121) A native of Leiyang County, Hunan, during the Eastern Han Dynasty. His courtesy name was Jingzhong, and his birth year is unknown. In the late years of Emperor Ming’s reign, he entered the palace as a eunuch and eventually rose to the rank of Xiaohuangmen. During the reign of Emperor He, he became a Central Regular Attendant and began participating in state affairs. He once served as the Director of the Imperial Workshop. Prior to his innovations, people wrote on silk or bamboo and wooden slips. “Silk was expensive, and slips were heavy, making them inconvenient for use.” By the Western Han period, a primitive form of paper had emerged. While washing silk floss, people often found a thin layer of fiber on bamboo mats that could be used for writing—this was called floss paper. Similarly, when washing hemp... Details+

　　    Source: Yang County Culture and Tourism Bureau