Making modern connections through ancient tombs

Visiting ancestors' graves has become a trend for the younger generation, who seek self-awareness by speaking with the past souls, Wang Xin reports in Shanghai.

By Wang Xin | HK edition | Updated: 2026-04-25 10:38

Flowers left on the Two Mausoleums of the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-975) in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on April 5.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Ma Xin, who teaches Chinese courses in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, visited the Two Mausoleums of the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-975) for the 72nd time during Qingming Festival in early April.

It has long been a festival tradition to visit their ancestors' graves, though an increasing number of young people across the nation are flocking to the ancient tombs of historical figures, trying to connect with ancestors in a broader sense and to bridge history and reality.

As a history buff focusing on the Southern Tang Dynasty, which ruled today's southern and central China, Ma feels most connected to Li Yu, the last emperor of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960). Over the past decade, she has explored almost every place associated with Li. The two mausoleums she has visited so frequently are the final resting place of Li's parents and grandparents, which should also be Li's as well — but he isn't there.

Li, who was also a poet, is widely known and beloved for his beautiful, romantic poems. But Ma sees far more than that in the ruler who lost his kingdom, and she has been inspired by this distant historical figure throughout her life.

Huang Wen leaves a bouquet at Changling, the mausoleum of Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, in February.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"When I realized that Li wasn't the stereotypical 'sad king of a fallen kingdom', but a living, breathing person who had loved, hated, laughed, cried, and made mistakes, my story began," says Ma.

Admiring Li as someone who was "genuine and vibrant", Ma developed a passion for poetry and history, chose her major, and decided on her career path. She gained a wealth of knowledge and became a volunteer at the two mausoleums. Each time she visits, she brings flowers, hand-copied versions of Li's epitaph and elegies, and letters from other enthusiasts who share the same love for the ancient dynasty.

"For over a decade, Li has been the guiding light in my life, showing me the way forward. When I first visited the two tombs, I truly felt a strong connection that spanned centuries in that moment. I believe it is deeply meaningful to keep learning, gradually piecing together the image of Li Yu and the dynasty," recalls Ma.

Ma adds that most people underestimate the Southern Tang Dynasty, as it should not be defined solely by its poetry. In fact, it had a profound impact on Nanjing's urban development, where the ancient central axis still remains as a major thoroughfare, and is believed to be the first dynasty to incorporate the Qinhuai River into the city limits.

Flowers rest on the tomb of patriotic general Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"The staff at the two tombs also shows great respect for us, helping me to realize my full potential and value. I hope more people can recognize the charm of the Southern Tang Dynasty," says Ma.

While Ma focuses on a particular dynasty and historical figure with a determined goal, many other young people who visit ancient tombs are pursuing something else. In addition to flowers and letters, many visitors bring special or novel tributes they think the figures might need or want, such as rice wine, fruits, snacks, and even painkillers for Cao Cao, the controversial warlord from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) who suffered from severe headaches.

Huang Wen, a 29-year-old history teacher from Chengdu, Sichuan province, holds a master's degree in archaeology. For her, visiting ancient tombs serves her pure love and interest in history. Being a poetry enthusiast since childhood, Huang has visited over 100 tombs across the nation since 2023.

"Normally, I take poetry with me when I visit. It's truly fulfilling and meaningful to connect with our ancient ancestors through reading their poems (at the tomb). I see it as the purest form of communication without any ulterior motives," says Huang.

Visitors' letters and tribute are presented at the tomb of poet Su Shi's wife in Meishan, Sichuan province.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Huang clearly remembers almost every tomb visit and has experienced many memorable moments along the way. In January 2025, when she visited the Mao Mausoleum of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) in Xingping, Shaanxi province, she encountered an intense snowfall that whitened the vast landscape, evoking the weight of history.

Walking in the whiteout snow, Huang felt deeply shocked, touched, and connected. "No matter how great something or someone may have been in the past, they will eventually be buried in history's dust," she says.

"I used to be a very competitive person, which left me exhausted and stressed. But during tomb visits, when I place my everyday trivial worries and frustrations within the vast context of history, they become tiny. Such experiences help me let go, broaden my perspective, and alleviate my stress," she adds.

Zhang Qiwen, a 29-year-old freelancer living in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, shares similar sentiments. She has been a history buff since middle school and enjoys reading historical biographies. She began traveling across the nation to visit their tombs, which she considers the best way to form a close connection to historical figures.

Ma Xin (third from left) and other history enthusiasts focus on exploring the Southern Tang Dynasty.[Photo provided to China Daily] 

Zhang shares that she also visits many museums, but visiting their tombs is completely different. Last September, she visited nearly 20 tombs within four days in Luoyang, Henan province. Along the journey, she was deeply impressed by the numerous messages and tributes from other visitors, who shared both similar and different emotional connections with each figure. In the neighboring Gongyi city, she felt particularly astonished and humbled by the notable imperial mausoleums of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), which spread quietly and naturally in ordinary wheat fields.

"These visits truly change our outlook on life. They were once glorious and magnificent figures, but eventually turned to dust. I can't help but feel deeply moved, and then realize that we need to cherish today and live in the moment," says Zhang.

As someone who preferred staying home rather than going out, she has now grown into an experienced solo traveler. Those in the distant history have become her endless source of motivation, giving her the spiritual power and courage to explore the wider world and achieve personal growth, as she puts it.

Ma, dressed up in hanfu (ancient costume), is a fan of the Southern Tang Dynasty.[Photo provided to China Daily]

More young people like Ma, Huang and Zhang are joining the trend. They embark on journeys with diverse motives, sharing their experiences on social media and fostering new connections.

While admiring and remembering the brilliant ancient figures, visitors also tend to leave personal puzzles, stories and wishes at the tombs. Their messages often unexpectedly resonate with other visitors, connecting and enlightening one another.

Zhang Zhuo, an assistant researcher from the Institute of Journalism at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, points out that from a psychological perspective, this ancient tomb tourism trend reflects the sociological theory of "symbolic interactionism", a theory developed by American sociologists George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer.

The researcher explains that the tradition of tomb-sweeping and the tributes that young people offer to ancient ancestors are symbolic expressions of culture and life transmitted across time. Such a trend redefines tradition and transforms historical figures from flat symbols into peers with whom they can engage in equal dialogue. In this process, they achieve a two-way symbolic social interaction and exchange.

"Young visitors project their emotions onto this tangible ritual of interaction and gain a sense of emotional resonance. They express empathy and remembrance for historical figures, release real-life emotions and pressures, fulfill their social needs, and pursue a better self-understanding," says Zhang Zhuo.

She adds that such interactions are also new, personalized expressions of patriotism and identity, as well as an innovative form of inheritance of the nation's history, tradition, culture, and values. This booming trend also offers inspiration and opportunity to bring the younger generation closer to history and traditional culture.

And young visitors are always moving forward, visiting the ancient tombs, forging connections across centuries, and finding their true selves.