Tomb and Ancestral Shrine of Lan Mao in Songming County, Kunming
he Tomb and Ancestral Shrine of Lan Mao (兰茂墓及兰公祠) is located in Nanjie Village, Laocheng Village Committee, Yanglin Town, Songming County, Kunming, Yunnan Province. This historical site honors the famous Ming Dynasty phonologist and physician, Lan Mao (兰茂) (1397–1470). It stands as a significant cultural and historical landmark in the region.
Historical Overview
Lan Mao’s Contributions
Lan Mao was renowned during the Ming Dynasty for his advancements in phonology and medicine. His contributions to traditional Chinese medicine and linguistic studies have left a lasting legacy, making him a celebrated figure in Yunnan’s history.
Construction of the Shrine
The Ancestral Shrine of Lan Mao (兰公祠) is divided into three parts: the front courtyard, the shrine hall, and the rear courtyard. The shrine was originally built in 1470, shortly after Lan Mao’s death. Throughout the centuries, it has been restored and renovated several times. During the Republic of China period, it was reconstructed into a siheyuan (四合院) courtyard-style complex, comprising a main hall, east and west wing rooms, and a gate tower. In 1988, the provincial, municipal, and county governments invested 122,000 yuan to rebuild the shrine on its original site, maintaining its historical appearance.
The Tomb of Lan Mao
The Tomb of Lan Mao (兰茂墓) is located in the rear courtyard of the ancestral shrine. It is a circular earthen mound with a curved stone structure. The tomb has a diameter of 4.7 meters and stands 2 meters high. The tombstone features an inscription authored by Yuan Jiagu (袁嘉谷), a prominent scholar.
Lan Mao Memorial Museum
In 1985, the Lan Mao Memorial Museum (兰茂纪念馆) was established within the ancestral shrine complex. The museum collects and organizes a wealth of academic materials related to Lan Mao’s life and work. It includes three exhibition rooms dedicated to his biography, offering visitors an in-depth look at his contributions to phonology and medicine.
Cultural and Historical Significance
In 1983, the site of Lan Mao’s tomb and ancestral shrine was officially listed as part of the second batch of provincial-level key cultural relics protection units in Yunnan Province. Later, in 1998, the shrine was designated by the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government as a provincial patriotism education demonstration base.
Notable Attractions at the Site:
- Ancestral Shrine of Lan Mao (兰公祠)
- Tomb of Lan Mao (兰茂墓)
- Lan Mao Memorial Museum (兰茂纪念馆)
This site serves as an important educational and cultural location for those interested in the life and work of one of Yunnan’s most influential scholars of the Ming Dynasty.
