Tomb of Chang Yuchun, Ming dynasty military general tomb in Nanjing, China
The Tomb of Chang Yuchun sits on Purple Mountain and features carved stone animals including horses, tigers, and sheep alongside warrior figures distributed across the grounds. The layout follows a traditional processional route that leads visitors from the entrance toward the main burial chamber.
This burial site was built in 1369 to honor General Chang Yuchun, who served during the late Yuan period and became a prominent figure in the early Ming dynasty. His life bridged two major transitions in Chinese imperial history.
The granite structures and the ceremonial path to the tomb reflect traditional Chinese burial architecture and the spiritual beliefs that governed how important military figures were honored.
The tomb is easily reached from the base of Purple Mountain via established pathways and can be explored at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since visitors need to move around the site to view all the stone figures and structures.
The stone figures at the site depict soldiers bearing specific military insignia and weapons that reveal the exact hierarchy of a 14th-century army. These carved details provide a rare window into how the early Ming military was actually organized and ranked.
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