Yu Ji’s Tomb is located in the east of Lingbi County (Lingbi County is situated in Suzhou City). Adjacent to the tomb, there once stood a temple dedicated to Yu Ji, housing statues of Xiang Yu and Yu Ji. The figures are incredibly lifelike. Yu Ji is depicted with willow eyebrows and apricot eyes, with bright and clear eyes and white teeth; Xiang Yu is portrayed as dignified and strong, fierce and valiant. Around the statues, there are numerous stone carvings of poetry, songs, and inscriptions. During the Tang and Song dynasties, as Lingbi was a necessary passage from the capital to the southeast regions, literati often gathered in groups to mourn and admire the scenery at Yu Ji’s tomb, then composed poems and lyrics to express their nostalgic sentiments.
Inside the garden, there is an exhibition hall built with a brick and wood structure, featuring whitewashed walls, small windows, and grey tiles. The interior is intricately designed with carved beams and columns. It displays artifacts unearthed from Gaixia and Yu Ji’s tomb, related historical materials, and poetry. Scattered around the tomb garden are some stone sculptures, dating back to the Han dynasty or the Tang and Song dynasties. The style of the tomb guardian’s carving is strikingly similar to the stone animals in front of Huo Qubing’s tomb, and even the bricks around the stone tablets are covered with patterns characteristic of the Han dynasty! Do not forget to take a look at the Han dynasty portrait paintings at the entrance of the exhibition hall. The carvings are simple and the lines are concise, making them rare treasures of Han dynasty art. Inside the exhibition hall, there is a stone sculpture depicting a female body that bears a striking resemblance to the ancient European Willendorf Venus sculptures! The site is open all year round from 10:00 to 17:00.Yu Ji’s Tomb
Yu Ji’s Tomb is located in the east of Lingbi County (Lingbi County is situated in Suzhou City[...]
