In 1587, during the 15th year of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty, Hai Rui, a man known for his modesty and integrity, passed away in Nanjing, far from his native Hainan.
A life of remarkable simplicity and honesty.
When Assistant Censor-in-Chief Wang Yongji visited Hai Rui after his death, he found that the man who had served the empire in a significant position had left behind only a few meagre belongings: a little over 10 taels of silver, some old clothes, and a broken box. Such was the modesty of Hai Rui.
Despite his modest means, Hai Rui’s colleagues organised contributions to give him a proper farewell and Emperor Zhu Yijun, recognizing Hai Rui’s moral stature, decreed a state burial.
The emperor also ordered a three-day suspension of court and sent Xu Ziwei, a fellow Hainan native to escort Hai Rui’s coffin back to his homeland and oversee the construction of his tomb.
On the day of the funeral, the people of Nanjing turned out in droves to pay their respects, forming a procession that, according to accounts, stretched for many, many miles.
The following year, Hai Rui’s coffin was transported back to Hainan and laid to rest in Binya Village, west of Fucheng. According to legend, when the coffin arrived at its final resting place, the ropes holding it snapped suddenly—a sign interpreted as divine will. Thus, Hai Rui was buried on the spot.
On the 22nd day of the second lunar month in 1589, Hai Rui’s tomb was officially completed. This day has since become a significant public holiday in Binya Village, where the locals honour his memory by slaughtering chickens and goats in solemn tribute to “Hai Qingtian”—a nickname that translates to “Hai, the Clear Sky,” symbolizing his reputation for righteousness and incorruptibility.
For over 400 years, Hai Rui has been venerated as a paragon of virtue. His tomb, facing southwest, is a testament to his enduring legacy. Outside the main gate, two circular stone columns stand as sentinels. As visitors pass through the gate, they are greeted by the “Spirit of Guangdong” stone archway. Central to the sacred path is a stone tortoise bearing a stele that commemorates Hai Rui’s life and service.
The tomb itself is constructed of stone, with a prominent stele standing about three meters high, inscribed with the words: “The Tomb of Hai Gong, Posthumously Named Zhongjie, Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Nanjing Censorate, Bestowed the Title of Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince by Imperial Decree of the Ming Dynasty.”
Flanking the sacred path are symmetrical stone carvings, including tablets, statues of civil officials, and representations of lions, sheep, and tigers—guardians of the tomb.
In 1927, the Hainan Chamber of Commerce, along with Guangdong officials funded a significant restoration of Hai Rui’s tomb. However, the early years of liberation brought challenges. The tomb site was occupied by a military unit, leading to the damage and relocation of several structures, including the stone archway and commemorative stele. The stone carvings were moved to the southwest corner of the tomb area.
A major restoration took place in 1959, with the Haikou City Government undertaking efforts to return the tomb to its original state. Yet, the site faced near-total destruction during the 1960s. It wasn’t until after the Cultural Revolution, in 1979, that the villagers of Binya took it upon themselves to rebuild the tomb. They raised funds and restored the site, renaming it “Hai Gong Ancestral Hall.”
In 1982, the Haikou City Government retrieved old photos of the original structures from the Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau and commissioned the Haikou City Design Office to recreate the designs.
Stone masons from Tanqiao, Qiongshan County, were hired to restore the tomb to its former glory.
By 1996, the Haikou City Government had expanded the tomb area to 10,000 square meters, transforming it into a tourist attraction and a centre for anti-corruption education. That same year, Hai Rui’s tomb was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit, securing its place in China’s rich historical heritage.
Today, Hai Rui’s tomb stands not only as a memorial to a man of great virtue but also as a symbol of Haikou’s deep historical and cultural heritage. It is seen as a reminder of the timeless values of integrity, justice, and dedication to the greater good.
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