Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall (Xu Guangqi Tomb Garden)

　　   Xu Guangqi (1562–1633), courtesy name Zixian, art name Xuanhu, was a native of Xujiahui, Shanghai, and a renowned scientist of the late Ming Dynasty. In 1600, he met the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who had come to China, in Nanjing. He was baptized and converted to Catholicism in 1603, passed the imperial examination in 1604, and was selected as a Hanlin Bachelor that same year. He eventually rose to the position of Vice Minister of Rites, Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and concurrently Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion. In Beijing, he studied European scientific knowledge under Ricci and collaborated with him to translate the first six volumes of *Euclid's Elements* in 1607. Later, they jointly translated one volume of *Methods of Measurement* and Xu himself authored one volume titled *Explanation of Gougu*. Together with Sabatino de Ursis, he translated *A Description of the Simplified Armillary Sphere*. In 1612, based on notes from de Ursis’s lectures, he compiled *Treatise on Western Hydraulic Methods*. Xu Guangqi wrote *Complete Treatise on Agriculture*, advocated for military training, and promoted equipping the army with advanced firearms. He was a pioneer of modern science in China and made outstanding contributions throughout his life to summarizing traditional Chinese science and spreading Western learning, making him an epoch-making figure in the history of Chinese science and culture.

　　   After Xu Guangqi’s death, he was buried at the confluence of the Fanghua and Zhaojiabang rivers in Shanghai. His descendants later settled there, and the area became known as “Xujiahui.” The tomb site was renovated in 1957 and features a granite statue of Xu Guangqi in front of the tomb. On the east side is a stele corridor, displaying 12 stone carvings including portraits, manuscripts, and biographical inscriptions of Xu Guangqi. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

　　   Address: No. 17 Nandan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai (near Wending Road)

　　   Type: Memorial Hall

　　   Recommended visiting time: 0.5–1 hour

　　   Phone: 021-64689252

　　   Opening hours:

　　   Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–16:00 (closed on Mondays)

　　   Ticket information:

　　   Free admission.

　　Xu Guangqi (1562~1633)　　   Xu Guangqi (April 24, 1562 – November 10, 1633) was a scientist, agronomist, and politician of late Ming China, and one of the pioneers of East-West cultural exchange. His courtesy name was Zixian, art name Xuanhu, and Christian name Paul. He was of Han ethnicity, born in Shanghai County, Songjiang Prefecture, Nanzhili (present-day Shanghai), and a Catholic, revered as the foremost of the “Three Pillars of the Holy Faith.” He passed the imperial examination in 1604. He had knowledge of astronomy, calendrical science, and firearms. After converting to Catholicism, he studied with the Italian Matteo Ricci. In the 40th year of the Wanli era (1612), he served as an official compiling the calendar and worked with the missionary Sabatino de Ursis to create astronomical instruments such as celestial and terrestrial globes. The following year, he was accused of misconduct, claimed illness, and resigned, then took up farming in Tianjin. Forty... Details+