Gongji Terrace

Gongji Terrace

Gongji Terrace is a cultural heritage site protected by Xinghua City.

Gongji Terrace, located by Haizi Pond in the north of Xinghua City, stands 6 meters high and covers an area

of 1,300 square meters. Here, pavilions and towers are nestled against the city and by the water, shaded by towering trees, creating an elegant and serene landscape. The terrace was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty. In the first year of the Baoqing era (1225), Chen Gai, the magistrate of Xinghua County, constructed defenses to guard against northern troops such as the Jin and Mongols attempting to cross the Huai River. He utilized earth excavated from modifying various islets and dredging canals, as well as accumulated soil, to build an approximately 3.5-kilometer-long earthen wall around the county government office, along with four gates (east, south, west, and north) and four water gates. To the south of the earthen wall, north of the county office, he erected a raised platform. Following the Five Elements and their corresponding “Four Symbols,” where the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) represents the north, this platform was named “Xuanwu Terrace.” At the same time, the “Jinhuai Tower” was built atop the Xuanwu Terrace, symbolizing “offensive and defensive strategy.” During the Yuan Dynasty, Magistrate Zhan Shilong once studied here, hence the Jinhuai Tower was also known as the Reading Tower.

In the early years of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, to defend against pirate invasions, Magistrate Fu Pei excavated the Yudai River to divert water into Haizi Pond. To reinforce the city’s defenses, he renovated the terrace and renamed it Gongji Terrace. The name “Gongji” is derived from the *Analects of Confucius · On Governance*: “To govern with virtue is like the North Star—it remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it.” “The North Star” refers to the “Pole Star,” hence the name “Gongji” (Paying Homage to the Pole). The main gate of Gongji Terrace features stone carvings of the two characters “拱极” (Gongji).

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the scenic area underwent construction and expansion more than ten times. Successive additions included the Yiai Shrine, Jingxian Shrine (later renamed Quzi Shrine), Zhaoyang Academy, and the Stele Hall, among others. These sites were celebrated and praised by literati and officials throughout the ages, resulting in a wealth of literary works—over 100 poems, more than 10 inscriptions, 3 essays, 8 ci poems, and 8 prefaces (or postscripts). Additionally, the *Gongji Terrace Poetry Collection* and the *Xinghua Gongji Terrace Annals*, compiled from poetic gatherings organized by Magistrate Yu Linian in the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1867), were produced. The renowned playwright Kong Shangren resided at Haiguang Tower (formerly the Jinhuai Tower) for an extended period,

where he wrote *The Peach Blossom Fan*

and composed 14 poems related to Gongji Terrace. One of these, a seven-character regulated verse titled *Composing at Gongji Terrace to Alleviate Melancholy*, reads: “High stands Gongji Terrace, gazing down on blue streams, / Scenic views across the stream fill my sight. / Even magistrates take fishing boats for a ride, / While waterfowl perch boldly on the county tower. / Letters from home across the sea arrive but once a month, / After rain, the scent of lotus suddenly turns autumnal. / Endless waves north of Zhaoyang stretch afar, / I close my doors early, lost in memories of past travels.”

Gongji Terrace was destroyed during wartime in the Anti-Japanese War. The current Gongji Terrace was reconstructed from 1992 to 1998 on the original site, featuring a complete set of structures including a memorial archway, gatehouse, stele pavilion, and corridors. The gatehouse stands prominently on the west side, with red pillars and green tiles radiating initial splendor. The stone-lined riverbank along the southern river has flowing clear water. Across the river lies Beigong Park, filled with trees, flowers, pavilions, and towers. Tour boats coming from Haizi Pond can sail directly to the base of Gongji Terrace. Sitting in the boats and looking up at the terrace while reciting verses by ancient poets is enough to stir deep feelings of nostalgia.