Bao Zheng Cemetery

• Region: Anhui
• Region type: Province
• City: Not yet specified
• Destination type: Not yet specified

Bao Zheng Cemetery is the burial ground of Bao Zheng (999-1062), the Northern Song Dynasty official who became China's most famous symbol of judicial integrity and incorruptibility, popularly known as "Justice Bao" or "Lord Bao." Set within the larger Lord Bao Park (Baogong Yuan) in Hefei, the modern cemetery holds the excavated remains of Bao Zheng, his wife, and family members, along with artifacts recovered from the original Song-era tombs. Shaded by pines and cypresses across roughly three hectares, it is described by visitors as one of the best-preserved tombs of a historical Chinese official. As a rated 4A scenic spot, it draws history-minded travelers and locals paying respects to a figure still celebrated in opera, television, and folklore as the embodiment of fearless, impartial justice.

The cemetery sits inside Lord Bao Park (Baogong Yuan), a 34.5-hectare park complex on Wuhu Road in Baohe District, Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province. It lies in the park's southeastern section, near the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao and Qingfeng Pavilion, within Hefei's old city area close to the Old City Moat. Hefei itself is a major regional hub in central Anhui, and the park is only a short ride from the downtown core, making the cemetery an easily reached in-city historical site rather than a remote excursion.

Hefei has a humid subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Winters (December-February) are cold and can dip near freezing, with occasional snow and average January temperatures around 3°C. Summers (June-August) are hot, humid, and uncomfortable, with July-August highs often reaching 37-38°C and sticky tropical nights. Spring (March-May) brings warm but changeable weather and frequent rain, softening the outdoor visiting experience despite lush scenery. Autumn (October-November) is the driest and mildest stretch, with clearer skies and cooler, more comfortable temperatures, making it the most pleasant season to walk the shaded, tree-lined cemetery grounds.

Spring and autumn are the recommended seasons for visiting, particularly April to mid-May and late September to early November. Autumn is generally considered the best window, since humidity drops, skies clear, and temperatures stay cool enough for comfortable walking through the wooded cemetery and surrounding park. Summer visits are possible but can be uncomfortably hot and humid, while winter is cold; both are more tolerable given that much of the site is outdoors under tree cover, but shoulder-season visits offer the most pleasant conditions.

Bao Zheng died in Kaifeng in 1062 at the age of 63 and was initially buried at Daxingji, near Hefei, in 1063; officials of the Huaixi Circuit rebuilt his tomb in 1066, and his wife Lady Dong was buried beside him after her death in 1068. During the Cultural Revolution the original cemetery was looted and Bao Zheng's statue destroyed. In 1973 the Anhui Provincial Museum excavated the Bao family burial ground, clearing twelve tombs (designated M1-M12) and recovering Bao Zheng's skeletal remains and inscribed tomb stones detailing his life; the bones were sent to Beijing for forensic study before being returned. The cemetery seen today was rebuilt beside the Lord Bao Memorial Temple between 1985 and 1987 to house these remains and relics.

Bao Zheng is revered across China as the enduring cultural symbol of justice, incorruptibility, and fearless opposition to corruption, having impeached powerful officials and even punished his own relatives while serving as prefect of the Song capital Kaifeng. His life has been retold and embellished for centuries in opera, folk tales, and television drama, cementing his status as a near-mythical figure of moral authority rather than just a historical bureaucrat. As his birthplace and final resting place, Hefei treats the cemetery and surrounding Lord Bao Park as the physical anchor of this legacy, drawing visitors who want to connect with the real archaeological remains behind the legend.

Walk the shaded, pine- and cypress-lined pathways leading to the tomb mound. View the underground burial chamber and mausoleum, reached via a solemn, dimly lit tunnel at the back of the site. Visit the small on-site museum, which screens a Mandarin-language video explaining the 1973 excavation and the journey of Bao Zheng's remains from Kaifeng back to Hefei. Pay respects at the grave markers of Bao Zheng, his wife, and other family members. Combine the visit with the adjoining Lord Bao Memorial Temple and Qingfeng Pavilion, purchasable on the same combined ticket, to round out a half-day covering the whole Bao Zheng heritage complex.

The centerpiece is Bao Zheng's tomb mound itself, set among mature pines and cypresses that give the grounds a solemn, park-like atmosphere. Inside, an underground chamber holds what is presented as part of Bao Zheng's remains, reached through a narrow, atmospherically lit tunnel. Nearby grave sites mark the burial of his wife, Lady Dong, and other family members originally excavated from the twelve-tomb Bao family cemetery. An on-site museum display includes inscribed tomb stones and artifacts recovered during the 1973 excavation, along with an explanatory video on the discovery and relocation of the remains.

The cemetery is reached via Lord Bao Park in Baohe District, Hefei. By metro, take Line 1 to Lord Bao Park Station and exit at Exit D, which puts you at the southeast corner of the park close to the site. By bus, routes 6, 11, 119, and 154 stop at the Lord Bao Park (Baogongyuan) stop; routes 4, 14, 27, 116, 117, 121, and 129 also serve the nearby Da Zhong Lou stop. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Didi has an English interface) are readily available and can drop passengers directly at the park's Wuhu Road entrance. The park also has on-site parking for those driving via the Baohe Avenue exit of the Hefei Ring Expressway.

Reported hours vary slightly by source, generally around 8:00 AM-6:00 PM in the warmer months (roughly May-September) and 8:00 AM-5:30 PM in winter (October-April), with last entry about 30 minutes before closing. Verify current hours/price before visiting, as they may change seasonally or be updated by the park administration.

A standalone ticket to the cemetery has been reported around CNY 30-35, while a combined ticket covering the Memorial Temple, the Cemetery, and Qingfeng Pavilion is commonly priced at CNY 50. Discounts or free entry apply for children, seniors, and other eligible groups per standard Chinese scenic-spot policy. Verify current hours/price before visiting, as ticketing has reportedly changed in recent years.

Most visitors spend roughly 1-2 hours at the cemetery itself. Combined with the adjacent Memorial Temple and Qingfeng Pavilion within Lord Bao Park, a fuller visit to the whole Bao Zheng heritage complex typically takes half a day.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

The cemetery is one of three linked sites inside Lord Bao Park, alongside the Lord Bao Memorial Temple (built on Xianghua Hill, said to be near where Bao Zheng studied as a child, featuring an eight-foot statue and the historic Lianquan well) and the 42-meter, nine-level Qingfeng Pavilion, which offers panoramic views over Hefei. Also within the park is Fuzhuang Pavilion, an island garden built in a Hui-style architectural idiom inspired by Suzhou and Yangzhou gardens. Beyond the park, other Hefei attractions cited by regional guides include Xiaoyaojin Park, the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, Hefei Wildlife Park, and Hefei Botanical Garden.

Nearest metro station: Lord Bao Park Station (Exit D) on Metro Line 1. Nearest bus stop: Lord Bao Park (Baogongyuan) stop, served by routes 6, 11, 119, and 154.

The site is a well-managed urban park attraction, so standard city sightseeing precautions apply: keep valuables secure in crowds near the entrance, and be mindful of uneven or dim footing inside the underground burial-chamber tunnel, which some visitors describe as narrow and low-lit. Watch your step on stone paths, which can be slippery after rain, especially in the humid spring and summer months. As with most Chinese heritage sites, photography rules may apply inside the museum and burial chamber, so check posted signage before shooting.

Wear comfortable walking shoes for the park's paved and stone pathways, and bring water, sun protection, and an umbrella given Hefei's variable rain and heat. In summer, carry a hand fan or portable cooling item given the high heat and humidity; in winter, dress warmly as temperatures can approach freezing. A phone or camera is useful for the museum displays and inscribed tomb stones, and small cash or a mobile payment app (Alipay/WeChat Pay) is helpful for tickets and any vendors nearby.

Buy the combined ticket if you plan to see the Memorial Temple and Qingfeng Pavilion as well, since it is more economical than paying separately. Arrive earlier in the day to avoid midday heat in summer and to allow time to also climb Qingfeng Pavilion for park views. Note that the actual tomb entrance is not always well signposted once inside the gardens, so allow extra time to locate it or ask park staff. Pair the visit with nearby Xiaoyaojin Park or the Li Hongzhang Residence to make a fuller day of central Hefei sightseeing.

National emergency numbers apply: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119, and the national tourism complaint hotline 12301.

No dedicated official government or park-authority website specifically for Bao Zheng Cemetery was found in research; general visitor information is aggregated by third-party China travel guide and booking sites such as TravelChinaGuide and Trip.com.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.