Hometown of Tao Shu

　　The hometown of Tao Shu is located in Shawanping, Xiaoyan Town, and was built with funds allocated by the imperial court. The cemetery spans 50 acres and is enclosed by walls. On the right side near the entrance is the Imperial Stele Pavilion, inside which two large stone turtles carry a stele inscribed with calligraphy by the famous calligrapher He Shaoji and bestowed by Emperor Daoguang. To the left inside the entrance lies Tao Shu’s tomb, adorned with a tomb tablet, stone statues, stone horses, stone tigers, and stone rabbits, giving the site a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

　　In 1996, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People's Government of Hunan Province. The Shangshu Residence is situated on the north bank of the Zi River, about 3 kilometers downstream from the Tao Shu Cemetery. It includes the Governor’s Mansion, Taibao Mansion, Local Sages Shrine, Imperial Book Tower, stone-carved Dragon and Phoenix Gate, Twin Jade Fragrance, and the Water Diversion Stone Canal.

　　The Moon-Viewing Pagoda is located on the north bank of Shimen Pool in the Zi River. It was funded and built by Tao Shu in 1836 when he returned to his hometown. The pagoda stands 21 meters tall, has eight sides and seven stories, with 32 copper bells on the corners of the fourth to seventh stories that chime in the wind, sounding like celestial music. The first-floor white marble plaque is inscribed with the imperial calligraphy “Yinxinshi Wu” (Seal Heart Stone House) by Emperor Daoguang, while the second floor features a bluestone plaque reading “Wenlan Pagoda.” This ancient pagoda, nestled among high mountains and valleys, and between green hills and clear waters, stands majestically.

　　Across the river from Wenlan Pagoda, on the south bank of the Zi River, there is a 55-meter-long and 22.5-meter-high cliff. At the summit, a protruding rock resembles a turtle, commonly known as “Turtle Cliff.” In 1836, when Tao Shu returned home, he had the four characters “Yinxinshi Wu” bestowed by Emperor Daoguang engraved on the rock, hence the name “Imperial Calligraphy Cliff,” which has been celebrated for over 160 years.

　　Scattered throughout the Tao Shu Hometown Cultural Scenic Area are also various unique natural landscapes such as the “Fairy Dragon Spitting Pearls,” “Wind and Rain Welcoming Guests,” “Frog Pair Facing Off,” “Legendary Gauze Hat,” “Seven Stars Shining,” “Turtle and Snake Dueling,” “Stone Dragon Crossing the River,” and “Three Nobles Competing for the Seal.”