Lianquan Ancient Well

Lianquan Ancient Well

Lianquan Ancient Well is a cultural relic protection unit in Jilin City.

Lianquan Ancient Well was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of Jilin City by the Jilin Municipal People's Government in 2013. It is also one of the New Eight Scenic Spots of Beishan in Jilin City and an important cultural landmark on Beishan Mountain.

Lianquan and Rangshui were built in 1917 as a double-eye well constructed from granite slabs. The well platform is 4 meters long and 3 meters wide, with 1-meter-high stone pillars erected on the east and west sides, topped by a thick horizontal stone beam. The front of the beam is inscribed with “Lianquan Rangshui” (Well of Integrity and Water of Yielding), while the back reads “Erected on November 20, the 6th Year of the Republic of China.” The inscriptions on the side pillars are “Sweet Spring Gushes from Northern Ridge” and “Distant Source Flows from Southern River.” Originally, Lianquan and Rangshui were the names of two rivers. Due to a historical anecdote, they came to symbolize integrity and virtue, later evolving to represent the purity and beauty of local customs. Today, people often use “Lianquan Rangshui” to praise a place known for its abundance of talent, thriftiness, and a culture of courtesy.

Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, an honest and clean official fell ill and recovered gradually after drinking from this spring. Another official suffering from illness also came here to drink the water in hopes of healing, but his condition worsened and he eventually died. This official happened to be a corrupt man despised by the public. Perhaps reflecting the public’s longing for integrity among officials, the spring was thus named Lianquan (Well of Integrity).

Folklore often adds a sense of mystery to certain landscapes. There is also a heartwarming tale about Rangshui (Water of Yielding). At that time, a drought occurred, and even the spring’s water supply began to diminish. Two young men quarreled over who would draw water first, but their argument was mediated by a young woman nearby. She gave them the two buckets of water she had just drawn, causing the two men to feel ashamed and reconcile with mutual yielding. This is how Rangshui got its name.