In recent years, paying tribute to historical figures has emerged as a new cultural practice, mostly organized spontaneously by Gen Z. Participants visit the actual tombs or memorials of historical figures and offer flowers, handwritten cards, retro-style treats (such as green plum wine and crisp pastries), cultural and creative merchandise, and playful mementos drawn from online culture—for example, hemorrhoid ointment for Zhang Juzheng, a high-speed rail ticket from Chengdu to Xi’an for Zhuge Liang, or a selection of painkillers displayed at the site of Cao Cao’s mausoleum. These acts are not mockery. They use contemporary language to rebuild a sense of closeness to the past, creating an emotional bridge that balances solemnity and lightness.
There is no set schedule or central organizer. Most visits are spur-of-the-moment outings by individuals or small groups, with destinations including Cao Cao’s mausoleum in Anyang, Emperor Xuanwu’s tomb on Mount Beimang in Luoyang, Bai Garden (Bai Juyi’s tomb) in Luoyang, Wuhou Shrine in Chengdu, and the satellite tomb area of the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin in Xianyang. Some tombs are remote and outside formal scenic areas, which has given rise to history-focused local guide services. For instance, science communicator and blogger Beimangfeng has led nearly twenty themed visits, helping followers experience immersive acts of remembrance.
The highlight is humanizing empathy. Young people no longer see historical figures as mere textbook symbols. Through poetry, historical records, and creative reimaginations, they connect with everyday struggles and inner worlds—Bai Juyi’s workplace burnout, Su Shi’s repeated exiles, and the deep friendship between Yuan Zhen and Bai Juyi become points of resonance across a thousand years. Frequent comments include “less textbook-y” and “strong sense of a living person.” This authenticity gives these tributes warmth and vitality.
Visitors find profound emotional release and a sense of cultural belonging: confiding personal thoughts before solemn ancient tombs, writing unsent letters on handmade cards, and rereading a Tang poem that once brought comfort while seated on bluestone steps. This is not a one-way offering, but a two-way conversation across time and space.
Come and check it out—start a journey that’s uniquely yours!