Mianxian Wuhou Tomb Museum

Welcome to china.Welcome to the tomb of Zhu Ge liang.Zhu Ge liang was the greatest strategist of ancient china, who was born in 181AD and died in 234AD. Stories about him are handed down from generation to generation.

Zhu Ge liang lived about 1700 years ago, at that time, China namely a united state under the rule of eastern Han dynasty, was actually in a chaos of continuous civil wars. Many military forces wanted to defeat others and to be the central power.

Liu Bei was one of the remote relatives of the eastern Han dynasty. He decided to set up his own troops and looked for opportunities to unite the whole country. When he heard a young handsome man named Zhu Ge liang who was good at military affairs, he went to the young man’s home three times and earnestly asked him to help him and command of his troops. Moved by his sincerity, Zhu Ge liang accepted his offer.

With the young man’s help, Liu Bei managed to set up his own state, Shu kingdom. When he was 30 years old, Zhu Ge liang became the prime minister for his great intelligence and outstanding military talents. At that time, China was divided into three kingdoms, so we called that history period three kingdoms period.

Zhu Ge liang spent his last 8 years here; Because Han Zhong was the important military place. He died of tiredness in the battle. According to his last will, his solders carried his body here. Shu kingdom, he worked for, was in a disadvantage situation in the war. It was impossible to hold a grand funeral and build a temple. So, the soidiers his army only planted 54 cypresses around his grave as mark.

This temple was first built in 263AD, since then, all the dynasties renovated it. The three largest renovations were done during Tang Ming and Qing dynasty. The architecture style now is that of Qing dynasty.

Although it’s a large distance between three kingdoms dynasty and today, we don’t have any cultural relics in glass boxes which were stared by cameras. It is lucky for us; we can see the important proof to the history directly. Look at those trees rounded green barriers, which are the cypresses I just mentioned. There are only 22 cypresses left and all of them are over a meter in diameter.

Maybe you notice that there are lots of horizontal inscribed boards. They are presented for memorizing Zhuge Liang by some famous people in different dynasties.

This hall is the center of the whole temple complex, not only it is located in the center, but also there is a group of statue in this hall. They were made of soil in Ming dynasty 400 years ago. It is wonderful that so easily-broken statues can exist so long.

The big tombstone is the earliest upright stone here, about 400 years. This small one was given by Aixinjueluo Yunli, who was Kangxi’s 17th son. And Kangxi was one of the greatest emperors in china.

This is the tomb of Zhu Ge liang; it is the typical style of Han dynasty, which is 6 meters high and 64 meters round with an 8-side protecting stone wall.

These two are cassia-bark trees, like safeguard, they stand for the spirit ofZhu Ge liang. Now, they are the city trees of Han Zhong.

In 1979, specialists from Beijing forest institute checked the age of trees here, as a result, they are all over 1700 years old. This result has confirmed to the historical records. So, this place is named national culture relics protecting place by our government.

Because Zhu Ge liang had much virtue, such as, wise, loyal, pure and simple, he has been respected and loved by the Chinese people all the time. Ok! So much for my lecture. You are welcome next time, of course you’d better choose autumn, and it’s when the cassia-bark flowers smell very pleasant.