Tomb of Hai Rui Hai Rui Mu

The Tomb of Hai Rui (Hai Rui Mu) lies close to the suburb of Binya near Haikou. In 1566 Hai Rui (1514-87), a minister at the Ming court, was bold enough to accuse the Emperor of neglecting affairs of state and devoting too much of his time to Taoism. This foolhardy act resulted in several years imprisonment. Shortly after his release he was again stripped of all office because he criticized a number of ministers and generals.

The harsh criticism directed by Mao Zedong against Wu Hans' play ''The Removal from Office of Hai Rui'' marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76).