Sayyid Ajjal Shams al-Din

Sayyid Ajjal Shams al-Din, 1210-1279, was born of a Hui (Muslim) family.
In 1274, Kublai Khan (1215-1294) appointed him “top provincial official
 of Yunnan”. After he came to Yunnan, he set up districts, prefectures
 and counties, encouraging farming, had garrison troops and farmers open
 up wastelands for growing grains, asked to construct irrigation works,
 constructed Confucian temples and taught civilian etiquette etc.

During his 6-year governing over Yunnan, he made great achievements. In
 the last second of his life he was still holding his post. People of
Yunnan and Kunming felt his passing-away a great sorrow and named him
“Xianyang King” posthumously. In order to honour him, Kunming locals
built Zhong'ai (Loyalty) Archway which stands in the downtown and a
memorial (cenotaph) in Minhang Road. 

Travel tips
(1)-The memorial and cenotaph is near Wuliduo Primary School in Minhang
 Road;
(2)-Nearby: Kunming City Museum; Chajie Flower Market; Zhenqing Taoist
Temple.