Former Residence of Zhang Sanfeng

Former Residence of Zhang Sanfeng

The Former Residence of Zhang Sanfeng is a cultural tourism attraction.

Former Residence of Zhang Sanfeng

According to the History of Ming, Zhang Sanfeng, a renowned Taoist master and founder of the Wudang school, was a native of Yizhou in Liaodong, currently Tayingzi Township, Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County — 55 kilometers from Fuxin County and 70 kilometers from downtown Fuxin. To commemorate this legendary Taoist master who created the unique Wudang Taiji divine skill, his hometown constructed the Immortal Residence of Zhang Sanfeng.

Zhang Sanfeng’s grandfather claimed to be a descendant of Zhang Ling, one of the founders of Taoism, and moved to Liaodong with his family in the late Song Dynasty. His father once served as an official under Emperor Taizong of Yuan but later retired from public life. Zhang Sanfeng’s mother gave birth to him while living in Yizhou. In the 1990s TV series “Young Zhang Sanfeng,” the protagonist also introduced himself as being born in Yizhou, Liaodong.

Yizhou City was a key northern stronghold of the Yuan Dynasty, with a history dating back to the Liao Dynasty. The famous Khitan Empress Xiao once gave the city as part of her granddaughter’s dowry, which contributed to its prosperity. During the Yuan Dynasty, Yizhou long served as the administrative office of the Liaoyang Provincial Administration. The Yuan rulers promoted the co-development of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and the Sanqing Palace within the city was the largest Taoist temple in the north at that time. Yizhou is the best-preserved ancient city from the Liao Dynasty in China. The city is irregularly rectangular in shape, with earthen walls stretching over 4,600 meters in circumference. Remnants of the western and northern walls still stand, about 1 to 2 meters high — the northern wall is approximately 80 meters long and the western wall about 100 meters. Inside the city lies another parallel earthen wall, which was once clearly visible but now only about 100 meters remain due to villagers digging for soil, serving as evidence of the city’s former expansion. Ancient ruins such as the city walls and the general’s platform are still clearly visible.

The ancient tower of Yizhou, standing for over 900 years, is located slightly west of the center of the ancient city. It was built in the third year of the Taiping era (1023) during the Liao Dynasty in Yizhou. The city also houses temples such as Baoyan Temple. The base of the ancient tower has a circumference of 43.72 meters, and the tower itself is about 32 meters tall — an octagonal, 13-story, closely-eaved brick pagoda. The eight sides of the tower feature niches housing brick-carved Buddha statues. Aside from two Heavenly King statues on the northern side, each niche on the other seven sides includes an attendant figure, with flying apsaras above the niches — all exquisitely crafted. It is the best-preserved Buddhist pagoda in the Fuxin area and is a protected provincial cultural relic of Liaoning.

Tayingzi Township is located by the Raoyang River. It borders Halt Town of Zhangwu County to the east, Jianshe Town to the south, Wuhuanchi Town to the west, and Ping’andi Town to the north. The township has 8 administrative villages, 39 natural hamlets, and a total population of 12,019, including 11,626 agricultural residents. The total area is 115 square kilometers. Forested land covers 35,000 mu, with a forest coverage rate of 30%. National Highway 101 runs east-west through the township, providing convenient transportation. The local population is mainly composed of Mongolian, Han, and Manchu ethnic groups, known for their simple and honest folkways.

Zhang Sanfeng (1247 or 1264–1458), the founder of the Wudang School, claimed to be the fifth son of Zhang Anzhong, born on the 18th day of the sixth month in the Year of Guiyou during the Yuan Dynasty. His given name was Junshi, courtesy name Quanyi (another account gives his courtesy name as Junbao), and alias Baohé Rongren. He was of Han ethnicity, from Liaodong. A scholar and Taoist priest from the late Yuan to early Ming period, he was skilled in calligraphy, painting, poetry, and lyrics. Another account states he was from Shaowu, Fujian, named Zichong (also called Yuanshi), with the alias Sanfeng. He was born in 1247 in Kànxià Village, Heping Town, present-day Shaowu City, Fujian, and his date of death is unknown. As the founding patriarch of the Wudang School, Ming Ying... [More details on Zhang Sanfeng]

Tayingzi Town: Tayingzi Township is located by the Raoyang River. It borders Halt Town of Zhangwu County to the east, Jianshe Town to the south, Wuhuanchi Town to the west, and Ping’andi Town to the north. National Highway 101 runs east-west through the area, and the site features the ancient relics of Yizhou City from the Liao Dynasty, with the ancient pagoda standing tall within the city.

　 　Our township is a hilly region. It comprises 9 villages, 43 natural hamlets, 3,298 households (including 3,209 agricultural households with 11,592 people, and 89 non-agricultural households with 380 people), and a labor force of 6,057 people. The population is predominantly Han, with a Mongolian minority. The total area spans 170,582 mu... [More details on Tayingzi Town]