Xishuixian Temple

Xishuixian Temple

Xishuixian Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Wuxi City.

Xishuixian Temple is located on Xishuidun, outside the west gate of Wuxi City, surrounded by water on all four sides. Originally the villa of Qin Jin, a Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent during the Ming Dynasty, the site was later transformed into a temple by local residents on the ruins of the villa. Initially dedicated to the thirty-six loyal and righteous individuals—including He Wulu—who sacrificed their lives resisting Japanese pirates during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, the temple later enshrined Liu Wuwei, the magistrate of Wuxi during the Tianqi era.

Liu Wuwei, from Wan County, Sichuan, served as the magistrate of Wuxi from the first to the fourth year of the Tianqi era (1621–1624) during the Ming Dynasty. He was highly commended for his achievements in water conservancy, which greatly benefited the local people. In recognition of his contributions, residents built Liu Hou Temple here in the early years of the Qing Shunzhi era to honor him, referring to him as the “Water Immortal.” The temple was destroyed in the tenth year of the Xianfeng era (1860), but was rebuilt by fishermen through fundraising during the Tongzhi era (1862–1874). In the fifteenth year of the Guangxu era (1889), rice merchants further funded the reconstruction of the H-shaped main hall, inner and outer stages, rear palace, front side halls, Goddess Hall, and the east and west ceremonial gates. The building covers a construction area of 11,300 square meters and a total site area of 13,600 square meters.

square meters, covering a site area of 13,600 square meters.

In July 1986, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Wuxi Municipal People's Government.