Yuan Chonghuan (1584 - 1630) was a famed patriot and military commander of the Ming Dynasty who battled the Manchus in Liaoning. He was known to have excelled in artillery warfare and successfully incorporated western tactics into the East. Yuan's military career reached its height when he defeated Nurhaci and the Manchurian army in the first Battle of Ningyuan. Nurhaci's son and successor, Huang Taiji, was defeated by him in the second Battle of Ningyuan. However, Yuan was a tragic figure, and was executed by his emperor under false charges which Huang Taiji deliberately planted against him.

Yuan Chonghuan Memorial Garden is 15 kilometers from downtown Dongguan, located in Chonghuan Dong Road, Shijie Town, just to the East of the ancient town of Shilong. There are convenient transport links to Shenzhen, HK (Guan-Shen Highway), Macao (Guangyuan Expressway) and Guangzhou (Guanghui Highway). Excellent transport and trade make it a great place for travel, shopping and leisure. It is the hometown of Ming Dynasty national hero, Yuan Chonghuan, who famously resisted the aggression of the later Jin Dynasty. Accordingly Yuan Chonghuan Memorial Garden situated in the former residence of Yuan Chonghuan to encompass patriotism and traditional Chinese virtues.

Yuan Chonghuan (1584-1630) lived in the Wanli Period of Ming Dynasty, gained a degree in Jinshi and was first appointed as the magistrate of Shaowu County in Fujian Province. He later joined the army due to his deep concern for the frontier land of the Eastern Liaoning River. During the Eastern Liao River Battles he led the army to fight against the attack of the Jin Army on several occasions. Due to the slander from Wei Zhongxian, leader of the eunuch Party, Yuan resigned and returned to his hometown. When Emperor Chongzhen ascended to the throne, Yuan was called back and resumed his post as the supreme commander. In the second year of Emperor Chongzhen’s reign (1629), Hongtaiji, the Emperor of the Jin Dynasty, led the army and headed to Beijing after winning battle of Zunhua. On hearing this, Yuan hurriedly led his army to offer help to Beijing and Hongtaiji never dared to intrude again. However the muddleheaded Emperor Chongzhen was convinced of Wei Zhongxian’s calumny and thought that he was part of Hongtaiji’s plan. He had Yuan arrested and sent to prison. In 1630 Yuan was executed through the death penalty method of “Zhe”. This involves the criminal being separated into pieces and gouged of his internal organs. One of Yuan’s subordinates, She Yishi from Magang in Shunde City, Guangdong Province was adamant on burying Yuan secret even risking death to do so. She also required his descendants to conserve Yuan’s tomb for more than 370 years or 18 generations. It was not until the 47th year of Emperor Qianrong’s reign (1728) that the case was cleared and the injustice Yuan had suffered was rectified, thus restoring Yuan’s reputation.

The Lingnan (South China) style garden takes up an area of 110,000 square meters and is constructed in the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. Alongside the flower fragrance, Lichee trees and willows by the lake, there are also winding porches, pavilions and scenic temples. There are more than 20 spots with specific folk tales, including: the rebuilt former residence of Yuan Chonghuan, the arch-style Yuan Dushi Temple of the Ming Dynasty, Sanjie Temple, a 15-meter-high granite statue of the hero, a lakeside tomb where Yuan’s clothes were buried, Piaoxiang Shejia Yard, the ancient Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, Wuzhong Temple, and the relief sculpture groups with the biography of Yuan Chonghuan not to mention many others. The memorial garden combines historical fact with the folk legend as well as entertainment and leisure. A visit here is like a history lesson where you shall be forever touched by the deep patriotism that Yuan showed.

Add: Chonghuan Dong Road, Shijie Town, Dongguan City

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