Tomb of Hai Rui, Historic cemetery in Longhua District, Haikou, China
Tomb of Hai Rui is a burial site in Haikou built in traditional Ming Dynasty style with carefully arranged stone sculptures and pavilions. The grounds contain carved animals including lions, goats, and horses positioned along pathways, plus a tortoise base supporting an inscribed monument.
Built in 1589, this tomb honors a high-ranking official whose career defined opposition to corruption and abuse of power. The burial site itself became meaningful through a local story about a rope breaking during his funeral procession.
This site honors a Ming official whose reputation for honesty shaped how people remember integrity in government. The inscriptions carved into the structures reflect values that still resonate with visitors today.
The site is located south of the city center and can be reached by regular roads from downtown Haikou. Plan for a leisurely walk around the grounds, and wear sturdy shoes as you navigate the stone pathways.
Local tradition holds that this location was chosen for the burial when a rope carrying the coffin snapped during the funeral procession at this exact spot. This event connected the site to a sense of fate in the community's memory.
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