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Tomb of Sima Guang

The Tomb of Sima Guang and his ancestors is located on Mingtiao Hill, 15 kilometers north of Xiaxian County, Shanxi Province.

Sima Guang (1019-1086) was a famous historian and statesman during the Song Dynasty (907-1127).

Leaning against Taiyue Mountain in the east and facing the Tongpu Railway in the west, the tomb yard covers a 30,000 square meters. Most of Sima Guang's ancestors were buried there. At the center of the tomb yard is the memorial hall and in front of the tomb are over 20 stone carvings, including stone men, horses, tigers, pigs and goats. The tomb yard is encircled by reddish-brown bricks.

The memorial hall was erected in 1149 with the statue of Sima Guang at its the center, which has since been destroyed. In front of the memorial hall are five stele pavilions with four divine steles of Sima Guang. The original steles were eroded, but the present ones were rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) at 7.33 meters high. The tortoise-shaped base and the top of the stele are originals from the Song Dynasty. The stele tower is made of brick, in an elegantly decorated style.

Five tombs, aligned from east to west, remain with dozens of stone men and animals on both sides of the tombs, as well as three steles.

Built in 1065, the Yuqing Temple enshrines the ancestors of Sima Guang. Three big Buddha statues, considered as some of the most stellar works from the Song and very valuable to studies, can be found at the temple. Flanking the Buddha are four guardian warriors and 16 disciples located along both sides of the wall.

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