Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall

Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall

The Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall is located on a hillside covered with Scots pine and larch trees at the Jin'gou Forest Farm in Mohe. Built in 1998 and reconstructed in 2007, the hall is approached by long stone steps leading down to the mountain foot. It is flanked by lush green pines and cypresses with verdant grass, and the entire structure is made of wood, featuring carved beams and upturned eaves that give off a solemn and historically evocative atmosphere.

Walking up the steps and entering the courtyard, you will see the main ancestral hall directly ahead. Above the door, under the eaves, is a gilded plaque inscribed with “Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall.” On either side of the door are couplets that read: “Pioneering mines, securing borders, and promoting benefits—his achievements surpass ancient and modern times; providing righteous relief, seeking truth, and aiding neighbors—his virtuous governance shines across the universe.” Inside the hall stands a statue of Li Jinyong wearing official attire and seated on a tiger skin chair. To his left and right are plaques and couplets inscribed by notable figures, documenting his life story. Below the memorial tablet are ritual vessels offered by gold miners. The symmetrical east and west wing rooms on either side of the main hall serve as the Merit Hall and the Staff Hall, showcasing biographies of Li Jinyong, Yuan Dahua, and others, the development history of the Mohe Gold Mine, the gold mining process, as well as the machinery, tools, and cultural relics used.

Li Jinyong (1835–1890), styled Qiuting and also known as Yuyi, was from Wuxi, Jiangsu. In his early years, he followed his father in business before purchasing an official position with silver and becoming a Tongzhi (an official rank). Known for his integrity and clean governance, and recognized for his disaster relief efforts, he was transferred from Zhili to serve as Prefect of Changchun. In April 1887, recommended by Li Hongzhang, he was moved from Changchun to Heilongjiang to oversee the establishment of the Mohe Gold Mine. Arriving in Mohe with dozens of subordinates, he obtained firsthand information for mine construction and formulated the “Mohe Gold Mine Company Charter.” He actively traveled to Tianjin, Shanghai, and Yantai to raise funds, recruit mining engineers, purchase machinery, secure food supplies, and arrange for the transport of weapons—all with meticulous planning. In October 1888, Li Jinyong led nearly a thousand colleagues and miners to Mohe. First, he organized the Mo Mining Camp to train troops, and later established the gold mine, holding a groundbreaking ceremony after worshipping the mountain.

Li Jinyong dealt with Russian bandits and marauders with neither arrogance nor timidity, demonstrating remarkable intelligence and moral courage. His presence deterred the Russians, making the Mohe Gold Mine one of the most successful mining ventures of the modern era and earning national renown.

Overwhelmed by the demanding responsibilities of foreign mining affairs, Li Jinyong worked tirelessly and exhaustively, eventually falling ill from overwork. He passed away in Mohe on August 14, 1890, at the age of 56.

“Pioneering mines, securing borders, and promoting benefits—his achievements surpass ancient and modern times; providing righteous relief, seeking truth, and aiding neighbors—his virtuous governance shines across the universe.” This is how people praised Li Jinyong for his clean governance, industrial development on the frontier, defense against invaders, patriotism, and stabilization of the borderlands.

As Li Jinyong is revered as the “Gold Sage,” gold prospectors in the past would always come here to worship before setting out to mine. It has now become a popular tourist destination.

Li Jinyong (1835–1890), styled Qiuting and also known as Liqing, was from Doumen Licun Village, Shitangwan, Wuxi. A late Qing dynasty statesman. In his youth, he worked in farming and was exceptionally strong. His hometown, often plagued by floods due to its low-lying terrain, motivated him to be actively involved in local public welfare. In the fifth year of the Xianfeng era (1855), he initiated fundraising efforts to repair the embankments of Yangjia Weir and Jiexi Weir. Soon after, he went to Shanghai to engage in business, co-founding a business inn and networking with prominent merchants, where he became acquainted with Li Hongzhang’s younger brother, Li Hezhang. The profits from his business were often used for disaster relief and local public welfare projects. In the tenth year of Xianfeng (1860), he took the lead in funding the establishment of porridge kitchens in Zhenjiang and Danyang to aid those suffering from war... More details about Li Jinyong ++