Tomb of Chen Xubai in Shiping County, Honghe
Overview
The Tomb of Chen Xubai石屏县陈虚白墓 is located in Shiping County (石屏县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It sits southwest of Heilangpo (黑龙坡), about 1 kilometer west of Shiping County town, facing south. The tomb is constructed with blue stone, standing 1.6 meters tall, with a mound diameter of 8 meters.
- Chinese Name: 陈虚白墓
- Location: Shiping County (石屏县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省)
- Material: Blue Stone (青石)
- Height: 1.6 meters
Tombstone Details
The tomb features a qu fortress-style blue stone stele, which is 1.8 meters high, 70 centimeters wide, and 20 centimeters thick. The inscription on the stele is written in regular script. The central text reads:
“明赐进士出身中宪大夫予告广西按察使司副使虚白陈公墓”
(This translates to: “The grave of Chen Xubai, granted the title of Jinshi, a former Zhongxian Grandee and Deputy Commissioner of Guangxi.”)
This stele was erected on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month in the third year of the Chongzhen era (崇祯三年, 1630) and was rebuilt in the twenty-fourth year of the Guangxu era (光绪二十四年, 1898). It was designated as a cultural relic protection unit in Shiping County in 1983.
Biography of Chen Xubai
Chen Xubai (陈虚白), whose courtesy name was Jian (鉴), was a native of Shiping County. He was granted the title of Jinshi in the twenty-sixth year of the Jiajing era (嘉靖二十六年, 1547) and initially served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Justice. He later served as the Deputy Commissioner of Wuzhou, Guangxi. The “History of Shiping Prefecture” (《石屏州志》) records that Chen Xubai excelled in poetry and calligraphy but left no known works.
In the fifth year of the Tianqi era (天启五年, 1625), the earthen city of Shiping suffered from erosion and earthquakes. During this time, Chen Xubai returned to his hometown and advocated for the reconstruction of the city into a brick structure. His proposal gained the support of officials and local gentry, and he contributed 2,000 taels of silver to fund the construction.
How to Get There
To reach the Tomb of Chen Xubai, start from Shiping County town and head west towards Heilangpo. The tomb is about 1 kilometer away and can be accessed by local roads. Public transportation options may include buses or taxis.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for pleasant weather.
- Respect Local Customs: Show respect while visiting the tomb and observe any local practices.
- Photography: Feel free to take photos, but be mindful of privacy when photographing individuals.
- Local Cuisine: Explore nearby eateries for local specialties to enhance your travel experience.
- Hydration: Bring water, especially in warmer months, to stay refreshed during your visit.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour for deeper insights into the history and cultural significance of the site.
