Zhalan Cemetery
滕公栅栏
cemetery in Beijing, China
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Zhalan Cemetery
Welcome to Zhalan Cemetery, hidden within the quiet grounds of the Beijing Administrative College. This is no ordinary burial ground; it is, in the words of scholars, a 'history book written in stone' that spans over four hundred…
Listen in the app2The Tomb of Matteo Ricci — The Cultural Bridge
At the center of the cemetery stands the tomb of Matteo Ricci, the most significant figure in this stone history. Ricci was a master strategist and cultural adapter. …
Listen in the app3Adam Schall von Bell — The Imperial Astronomer
To the right of Ricci lies the tomb of Johann Adam Schall von Bell, a German Jesuit known as Tang Ruowang. His life was even more dramatic than Ricci's, spanning the fall of the Ming and the rise of the Qing. …
Listen in the app4Ferdinand Verbiest — The Great Engineer
The third member of the great Jesuit triumvirate buried here is Ferdinand Verbiest, or Nan Huairen. A Flemish Jesuit, he was a polymath who became the Kangxi Emperor's science tutor and close friend. …
Listen in the app5The Chinese Fathers — Zheng Mano and the Pioneers
While the Western Jesuits are well-known, Zhalan also holds the remains of early Chinese converts and clergy whose stories are equally remarkable. Among them is Zheng Mano, the first Chinese person recorded to have studied in…
Listen in the app6The 17 Martyrs and the Sisters — Sacrifice in Chaos
As you move toward the edges of the cemetery, the atmosphere shifts from the intellectual triumphs of the 17th century to the tragedies of the 20th. You will find a monument dedicated to the 17 Martyrs of the Boxer Rebellion. …
Listen in the app7The Miracle of the Burial — Survival in 1966
One of the most incredible stories of Zhalan is why it still exists today. During the Cultural Revolution in 1966, a group of Red Guards arrived at the gates, intent on smashing the 'imperialist' tombstones. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we walk back through the courtyard and exit the Zhalan Cemetery, take a moment to absorb the profound silence. This space is a reminder that the dialogue between cultures is never easy, but it is always necessary. …
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What is Zhalan Cemetery?
Zhalan Cemetery is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 39.9302, 116.3399 |
| Last updated |
