General Chang Hsueh Liang 張學良 (1901 – 2001)

The final resting place of General Chang Hsueh-liang, (aka Zhang Xueliang) a former Chinese warlord, playboy, patriot, and political prisoner, is on a small hill overlooking the Byodo-in Temple. He was arrested after the 1936 Xian incident, during which he tried to force Chiang Kai-shek to cooperate with the Communist and jointly oppose the Japanese invaders. He was finally freed after Chiang’s son died of old age in 1990, making him the longest serving political prisoner in history. He spent his final years here in Hawaii with his family. While under house arrest in Taiwan, he and his wife converted to Christianity. This is the reason for the cross and the word “Emmanuel” on the headstone. By the side entrance, there is a small stone plaque quoting John 11:25.