Gao Ping Yan Emperor Mausoleum

　　The Yan Emperor is the progenitor of the Chinese nation, the foremost emperor of China, the god of agriculture and medicine, historically known as the Agricultural Emperor. The Yan Emperor Mausoleum in Zhuangli Village is a sacred site for us, the descendants of Yan and Huang, to trace our roots, pay homage, and sweep the tombs. It is revered as the First Mausoleum of China.

　　The Yan Emperor Mausoleum is located in Zhuangli Village, about 17 kilometers northeast of Gao Ping City. The area boasts beautiful mountains and rivers with picturesque scenery. The mausoleum complex is surrounded by ravines on the east, west, and south sides, while rolling hills stretch out to the north, with green mountains reflecting lush hues. The Yan Emperor Mausoleum in Zhuangli Village is commonly known as the "Imperial Tomb." Behind the tomb lies a temple called the Five Grains Temple. The exact founding date of the Five Grains Temple is unknown, but it existed at least as early as the Song Dynasty. The temple faces south and features grand architectural scale, encircled by walls, and is divided into upper and lower courtyards. Along its central axis are arranged a stage, offering platform, mountain gate, southern path, and main hall. Originally, the temple courtyard was filled with stone stelae, numbering around forty to fifty. Today, only the five-room main hall and over ten side rooms on the east and west remain. On the back wall of the east side room, there is a stone stele inscribed with “Yan Emperor Mausoleum,” erected in the 39th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1161) by Shen Daotong. Behind the “Yan Emperor Mausoleum” stele, there is a passageway (now sealed) that leads to the burial chamber, where an eternal lamp has burned continuously for centuries.

　　Yangtou Mountain is the place where the Yan Emperor Shennong tasted the five grains. Today, remnants such as the Shennong City, Shennong Spring, Five Grains Terrace, and Shennong Temple can still be found on Yangtou Mountain.

　　Shanxi, Jincheng City

　　Xie Chun (?～1129)　　Xie Chun (?～1129), courtesy name Jingxiang, was a native of Liuyang in the Song Dynasty. He was esteemed by many for his talent and bravery. In the third year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1129), a mutiny broke out in Tanzhou (present-day Changsha), marked by arson and looting. The regional commander Xiang Ziyin ordered Meng Yanqing, the acting prefect, to pacify the rebels. Soon after, the mutineer Du Yan invaded Liuyang, where Meng was defeated and killed. Xiang then ordered Zhao Minyan, also the acting prefect, to lead troops against the rebels, but they were unsuccessful. At that time, Xie Chun led local militia as vanguard forces to assist Zhao in battle. He personally slew dozens of enemies but was eventually overwhelmed, captured, and killed by the rebels. Upon hearing of his death, the imperial court posthumously awarded him the title of Chengzhong Lang and granted an official position to his son, Xigu... Details+