Layout of Marquis Wu’s Tomb

Four hills surround the mausoleum closely: Shuan’an Ridge in the front, Bifeng Peak at the back, Tudiling Ridge on the left and Wushan Mound on the right. Dense green cypresses and pine trees cover these hills so thickly that the tomb is almost hidden from sight.

Once you round Shuan’an Ridge, the view suddenly opens up to reveal a breathtaking scene. Standing prominently in the basin is the tall tumulus, surrounded by clusters of ancient buildings, towering old trees, slender bamboo and exotic plants. Fragrant blossoms fill the air while birds chirp. A brook winds past the front of the tomb, its gurgling water lending the cemetery an air of serenity and mystery.

The cemetery covers an area of 360 mu. It preserves more than 70 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and over 40 cypresses more than one thousand years old, including 22 trees aged over 1,700 years and two dating back to the Han Dynasty. The ancient cypresses and Han-dynasty osmanthus trees set off each other beautifully, with flowers blooming all year round. It is indeed a fairyland on earth, a secluded paradise.

In the centre of the main hall sits the solemn lifelike statue of Zhuge Liang, holding a feather fan and wearing a silk headscarf. Two boy attendants stand on either side holding his seal and sword. Below them stand Guan Xing and Zhang Bao in full armour, gripping military arrows and whips. Their imposing bearing inspires deep reverence among visitors.

The east and west wing rooms as well as the Taoist temple in the southern courtyard host a large sculpture exhibition Zhuge Liang, the Wisest Man of His Age. Divided into 30 scenes, the vivid displays depict his major political and military achievements throughout his life. Ranging from round sculptures and relief carvings to murals, the whole exhibition forms a cohesive whole while each scene stands independently. The figures are true to life and the battle scenes magnificent, bringing visitors back to the era of clashing armies and deafening battle cries.

Behind the hall rises the large dome-shaped tumulus, the tomb of Zhuge Liang. It is 6 metres high and 60 metres in circumference, enclosed by white marble railings carved with 35 relief panels illustrating episodes from Zhuge Liang’s life.

In front of the tumulus stands a four-corner pavilion with upturned eaves known as the Front Tomb Pavilion. Wooden railings enclose the pavilion, where a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Two Cassia Trees Preserve His Eternal Fame” hangs high. Two stone steles stand upright inside. One was erected in 1594 (the Jiawu year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty) by Zhao Jian from Jinling, Judicial Commissioner of Shaanxi, inscribed with “Tomb of Zhuge Liang Zhongwu, Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty”. The other was set up by Prince Guo in 1735 (the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty), reading “Tomb of Zhuge Liang, Marquis Wu of the Han Dynasty”.

The tomb lies on an east-west axis with the head facing west and the feet facing east, symbolizing his everlasting longing for Western Shu and his lifelong mission to restore the Han Dynasty.

A climbing vine called Chinese trumpet creeper twines around an ancient Han cypress before the memorial hall. Its leaves resemble Chinese toon leaves with fresh green colour, and its red flowers look like morning glories. It blooms from the Summer Solstice to the Start of Autumn, for a period of one hundred days. The flowers bloom at dawn and fade at dusk, carpeting the ground in red. Against the dark green cypress boughs, clusters of bright red blossoms create a striking contrast. The sight of red flowers blooming on thousand-year-old cypresses is extraordinarily beautiful. The trumpet creeper symbolizes Zhuge Liang’s noble integrity: devoting himself wholeheartedly to restoring the Han Dynasty and serving the nation until his last breath.

Besides numerous millennium-old cypresses, two ancient osmanthus trees stand in front of the tomb with sturdy branches, sending sweet fragrance drifting for miles when they blossom.

The cemetery keeps a large collection of historical relics: dozens of stone tablets, 34 horizontal plaques, 29 couplets, and more than 100 murals depicting stories of the Three Kingdoms. Most inscriptions praise the virtues and feats of Marquis Wu. There are also over ten ancient bronze ritual vessels and 48 carved scrolls bearing Zhuge Liang’s writings. These cultural relics bear witness to history and greatly enrich the sightseeing experience.

Standing on Dingjun Mountain and overlooking the cemetery, you can see nine mountain ridges like rolling giant dragons converging from all directions to guard the tomb hidden among green pines and cypresses. This gives rise to the famous description “Nine Dragons Embracing the Sage”.

Every pilgrim cannot help but sigh with emotion: “No wonder Marquis Wu personally chose this burial ground. Truly this is Zhuge’s blessed resting place, a natural wonderland.