Tomb of Sun Ranweng in Mile City, Honghe
Overview
The Tomb of Sun Ranweng (孙髯翁墓, Sūn Ránwēng Mù) is located on West Main Street in Mile City (弥勒, Mílè), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州, Hónghé Hānízú Yízú Zìzhìzhōu), Yunnan Province. The tomb is a circular stone structure with a diameter of 6 meters, featuring an inscription that reads “Tomb of the Famous Scholar Sun Ranweng of Ancient Dian” (古滇名士孙髯翁先生之墓, Gǔ Diān Míngshì Sūn Ránwēng Xiānshēng zhī Mù). Sun Ran (孙髯, Sūn Rán), also known as Ranweng (髯翁, Ránwēng) and Yi’an (颐庵, Yí’ān), was a native of Kunming (昆明, Kūnmíng). Renowned for his intelligence and exceptional talent from a young age, he famously declared himself “a commoner among ten thousand plum blossoms” (万树梅花一布衣, Wàn shù méihuā yī bùyī). He gained notoriety during the strict literary censorship of the Yongzheng and Qianlong eras by composing a couplet of 180 characters for the Daguan Pavilion (大观楼, Dàguān Lóu), which became a sensation in the literary circles, establishing itself as a gem within China’s couplet literature. The tomb was designated a protected cultural heritage site in Yunnan Province in 1983.
Historical Significance
In the third year of the Republic of China (民国, Mínguó) in 1914, patriotic figure Yang Jie (杨杰, Yáng Jié) served as the magistrate of Mile County and oversaw the construction of Sun Ranweng’s tomb, erecting a monument in his honor. In 1937, during the 26th year of the Republic of China, Du Xixian (杜希贤, Dù Xīxián) revitalized the tomb and composed an inscription, which described how Sun Ranweng, in his later years, mourned the lack of heirs and frequently visited Mile to teach students, leaving a legacy behind.
During the “Great Leap Forward” in 1958, the tombstone was destroyed and was not restored until the 1980s, when the couplet was replaced with one written by Sun himself during his lifetime.
Tomb Structure
The tomb is situated on West Main Street in Mile City, constructed from stone and circular in shape, with a diameter of 6 meters and a height of 1.70 meters, oriented east to west. The tombstone, erected in 1914, bears the inscription “Tomb of the Famous Scholar Sun Ranweng of Ancient Dian” (古滇名士孙髯翁先生之墓).
Legacy of Sun Ranweng
Sun Ranweng (approximately 1711-1774) is a legendary figure who lived during the Kangxi (康熙, Kāngxī) to Qianlong (乾隆, Qiánlóng) eras. Originally from Sanyuan (三原, Sānyuán) in Shaanxi (陕西, Shǎnxī), his father was appointed a military official in Yunnan, bringing Sun to Kunming.
Outraged by the corruption he witnessed, Sun refused to participate in the imperial examinations, deeming such treatment of scholars disgraceful. He was celebrated for his poetry and frequently entertained himself with literature and wine, earning great respect among Yunnan’s literati.
His works and legacy are memorialized in various collections, including “Collection of Poems and Writings from Yongyantang” (永言堂诗文集, Yǒngyántáng Shīwénjí) and “Dian Poetry” (滇诗, Diān Shī).
How to Get There
To reach the Tomb of Sun Ranweng, you can take a bus or drive to Mile City, which is accessible from Kunming via highway. The tomb is located on West Main Street, easily reachable by foot or local transportation once you arrive in Mile City.
Travel Tips
- Visiting Hours: Ensure to check local timings for any restrictions or opening hours.
- Respectful Behavior: As it is a historical and cultural site, maintain a respectful demeanor.
- Local Cuisine: Consider trying local dishes in Mile City for a full cultural experience.
- Weather Preparedness: Yunnan’s weather can be unpredictable; dress appropriately for the season.
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