Niu Gao, styled Boyuan, was a native of Lushan, Henan, and served as a military general during the Southern Song Dynasty, resisting the Jurchens under the command of Yue Fei. His original tomb was unfortunately demolished during the excavation of Gu Shan tombs in 1955, but it was thankfully reconstructed in 1987.
The current resting place of Niu Gao can be found at the Ziyun Cave entrance of Jianmen Pass, situated on Qixia Ridge, West Lake, Hangzhou. The tomb, which faces east with a western orientation, is a significant historical landmark. It is surrounded by stone blocks at its base and features a grass-covered mound at the top. Measuring 3.5 meters in diameter and standing 1.8 meters tall, the tomb is a testament to the legacy of Niu Gao.
In front of the tomb stands a stele inscribed with the words ‘The Tomb of Niu Gao, the Auxiliary Minister of the Song Dynasty’, and a two-pillar, one-room stone archway marks the path leading to the tomb. Both the stele and the stone archway are part of the reconstruction efforts.
Visitors are welcome to pay their respects at the tomb, which is open to the public all year round and accessible around the clock.
