Tomb of Marquis Wu

　　The Tomb of Marquis Wu is situated at the foot of Dingjun Mountain, 4 kilometers south of Mian County. It is the burial place of Zhuge Liang, the distinguished statesman, military strategist, and Prime Minister of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. The tomb area is surrounded by mountains and water, covered with ancient trees, and enjoys a spring-like climate all year round with pleasant scenery. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and one of the major tourist attractions in southern Shaanxi.

　　During his lifetime, Zhuge Liang assisted Liu Bei in establishing the Shu Han regime, holding the position of Prime Minister and the noble title of Marquis of Wuxiang. After his death, he was posthumously honored as “Loyal and Martial Marquis,” and for thousands of years, his tomb has been referred to as the “Tomb of Marquis Wu.” In 234 AD, during his fifth northern campaign against the Cao Wei, Zhuge Liang passed away from illness in the military camp at Wuzhang Plains due to overwork. Following his last wishes, the Shu Han court buried him at the foot of Dingjun Mountain.

　　The Tomb of Marquis Wu is embraced by Dingjun Mountain and nine small ridges extending from the nearby Shauzu Mountain. These nine ridges are divided by eight streams: Qinggou, Wangzigou, Jinggou, Zhandiagou, Tianjiagou, Niujiaogou, Wadonggou, and Longzuigou. In front of the tomb are three layered ridges that rise like rolling waves from Dingjun Mountain toward the west, extending about three li before curving into a bow shape — historically called the “Three Terraces Study Desk.” From the six ridges below Shaizu Mountain, the terrain extends eastward like a dragon, rising and falling sharply over five or six li, forming a half-li-long crescent shape behind the tomb, believed to be the tomb’s main energy vein. Beneath this crescent and within the bow-shaped ridges lies an open flatland of over 300 acres, encircled by nine protective ridges, resembling a Buddha’s hand — a natural wonder unmatched by human hands.

　　The four mountains surrounding the tomb are named “Front Study Desk Ridge,” “Rear Brush Peak Mountain,” “Left Land Ridge,” and “Right Wu Mountain Ridge,” closely guarding the spirit mound of Marquis Wu. These four mountains are covered with lush cypresses and pines, dense enough to veil the hills and block out the sun, making the sacred tomb hard to find. When you walk past Study Desk Ridge, a vast and open landscape suddenly unfolds before you. In the basin, a towering ancient mound stands solemnly amidst clusters of historic buildings, ancient trees, bamboo groves, exotic plants, blooming flowers, singing birds, and a small stream meandering past the tomb, its murmuring waters adding an air of mystery and charm. The Tomb of Marquis Wu covers an area of 360 acres, featuring over 70 ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, more than 40 ancient cypresses over a thousand years old — including 22 that are over 170 years old and 2 from the Han Dynasty. The ancient cypresses and osmanthus trees complement each other, while flowers of all seasons vie in beauty, creating a true earthly paradise, a haven apart from the mundane world.

　　At the center of the main hall’s shrine platform sits a statue of Zhuge Liang, clad in a feathered fan and headscarf, with a dignified and lifelike expression. On either side stand two attendants holding his seal and sword. Below them are Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, clad in armor, grasping command arrows and divine whips, standing guard with valor and might, inspiring deep reverence.

　　The east and west wing rooms and the southern courtyard Taoist hall host a large-scale sculpture exhibition titled “The Era’s Greatest Mind: Zhuge Liang,” divided into 30 groups that vividly depict the political and military achievements of Zhuge Liang’s life. With detailed historical references and grand scale, the exhibition includes round sculptures, reliefs, and murals. Viewed as a whole, it presents a unified narrative; examined in parts, each scene stands distinct. The figures are lifelike, the scenes majestic, subtly evoking the sounds of battle and the roar of war.

　　Behind the hall stands the grand tomb mound, shaped like an inverted wine vessel — this is the tomb of Zhuge Liang. The mound is 6 meters high and 60 meters in circumference, enclosed by a white marble railing adorned with 35 bas-relief panels depicting scenes from Zhuge Liang’s life. In front of the mound is a four-cornered pavilion called the Front Tomb Pavilion. With upturned eaves and wooden railings, the pavilion houses a plaque inscribed with “Fragrance of Twin Osmanthus Spreads Far.” Inside stand two tomb steles: one erected in 1549 (the 22nd year of the Wanli era in the Ming Dynasty) by Zhao Jian, the Shaanxi Provincial Surveillance Commissioner from Jinling, inscribed “Tomb of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, Marquis Wu of Han”; the other erected in 1735 (the 13th year of the Yongzheng era in the Qing Dynasty) by Prince Guo, inscribed “Tomb of Zhuge Liang, Marquis Wu of Han.” The tomb faces west-east, with the head to the west and feet to the east, symbolizing the wish to “forever remember the Western Shu and restore the Han Dynasty.”

　　Climbing up an ancient cypress tree in front of the worship hall is a creeping plant known as “Chinese Trumpet Creeper,” commonly called the “Climbing Cypress Trumpet Flower.” Its leaves resemble those of the Chinese toon but are emerald green, and its flowers look like morning glories but are crimson red. The flowers bloom from summer solstice to beginning of autumn, lasting over a hundred days. Each flowering season, they bloom in the morning and wither by night, covering the ground with red blooms. From a distance, the crimson flowers dot the sea of green cypresses, creating a striking contrast of red and green — as if ancient cypresses have burst into bloom — a truly spectacular sight. The Trumpet Creeper symbolizes Zhuge Liang’s noble character, dedication to restoring the Han Dynasty, and tireless service to the nation and its people.

　　Within the tomb garden, there are also stelae from various dynasties, 34 plaques, 29 couplets, and over 100 murals depicting stories from the Three Kingdoms. Most of the inscriptions on these stelae, plaques, and couplets praise Zhuge Liang. Additionally, there are over ten bronze ritual vessels, bells, incense burners, and chimes from different eras, along with 48 carved scrolls containing Zhuge Liang’s writings. These cultural relics serve not only as historical testimonies but also enrich the visitor experience.

　　Standing atop Dingjun Mountain and looking down at the Tomb of Zhuge Liang, one sees the nine ridges resembling rolling dragons converging from all directions to encircle the resting place of Marquis Wu, cradled among green cypresses and pines — hence the name “Nine Dragons Holding a Sage.” All who come to pay homage to the Tomb of Marquis Wu cannot help but exclaim in awe: “No wonder Marquis Wu himself chose this very spot.” Truly, it is “Zhuge’s Divine Burial Ground, a Blessed Paradise on Earth.”

　　Ticket Price: Peak Season: 45  Off-Season: 20

　　Inquiry Phone: 0916-3316453

　　Postal Code: 724200

　　Scenic Area Address: 2 kilometers south of Mian County

　　Zhuge Liang (181~234)　　Zhuge Liang (July 23, 181 – August 28, 234), courtesy name Kongming, also known as Wolong (or Fulong), was a Han Chinese from Yangdu, Langya (present-day Yinan County, Linyi City, Shandong Province). He served as the Prime Minister of the Shu Han and was an outstanding statesman, strategist, inventor, and military tactician of the Three Kingdoms period. During his lifetime, he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Wuxiang and posthumously honored as Loyal and Martial Marquis. The later Eastern Jin dynasty, in reverence of his military genius, posthumously awarded him the title King of Wuxing. His notable works include the “Former Admonition,” “Later Admonition,” and “Admonitions to His Son.” He invented mechanical transport devices such as the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, as well as the Kongming Lantern. Chengdu is home to the Temple of Marquis Wu. Additionally, the great poet Du Fu left behind the famous poem “The Premier of Shu.” ... Details+