The Mountain Gate of Nanxiang Temple and the Ancient Well Ruins

The Mountain Gate of Nanxiang Temple and the Ancient Well Ruins

The Mountain Gate of Nanxiang Temple and the Ancient Well Ruins are protected as a cultural heritage site under Jiading District.

The Mountain Gate of Nanxiang Temple and the Ancient Well Ruins are located at the north end of Xianghua Bridge on Jiefang Street in Nanxiang Town, dating back to the Song Dynasty.

The symmetrical ancient wells from the Liang Dynasty were initially built during the Tianjian era (505–519 AD), commonly known as the Octagonal Well. These wells never dried up even during severe droughts and were among the eight wells of Nanxiang Temple during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. They were renovated during the Ming Dynasty. In the 31st year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1766), a new well pavilion was constructed. During the 2008 renovation of the Old Street of Nanxiang, archaeological excavation uncovered two symmetrical wells outside the mountain gate of Nanxiang Temple, both identical in structure. The wells are 3.5 meters deep. Features include a meticulously laid brick well platform, an octagonal bluestone well curb inscribed with the note “[Renovated in the 14th Year of the Hongzhi Reign of the Ming Dynasty],” and more.

The ruins of the Mountain Gate of Nanxiang Temple and the ancient wells were designated as a district-level cultural heritage site in 2010, and were upgraded to a municipal-level cultural heritage site in 2014.

Protected area: Same as the Brick Pagoda of Nanxiang Temple.

Construction control zone: Same as the Brick Pagoda of Nanxiang Temple.

Nanxiang Town: Known in ancient times as Chaxi, Nanxiang is home to the White Crane Nanxiang Temple, which was built here in the 4th year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (505 AD), boasting a history of 1,500 years. The town derives its name from the temple. Since ancient times, Nanxiang has been a bustling hub of commerce and prosperity, earning the reputation of “Silver Nanxiang.” In 1991, it was listed as one of Shanghai’s four major historic and cultural towns.

Located in the northwest suburbs of Shanghai, Nanxiang is the southern gateway to Jiading District, 18 kilometers from the city center and just a 15-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport. The Shanghai–Jiading Expressway, Shanghai–Yixing Highway, and Shanghai–Nanjing Railway run north–south, while Yunzao Creek crosses east–west. Dozens of bus lines serve the area... More detailed information about Nanxiang Town++