Tianfei Palace in Nanjing

Tianfei Palace in Nanjing

Tianfei Palace in Nanjing

Tianfei Palace in Nanjing is located at the foot of Lion Mountain in Xiaguan District, Nanjing. It was first built in the fifth year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1407 AD). From the third to the eleventh year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty, over the course of eight years, the palace suffered repeated damage during wartime.

The newly constructed Tianfei Palace is located on the southwestern foothills of Lion Mountain in Xiaguan District, Nanjing, east of the city moat, and covers an area of about 17,000 square meters. The entire architectural complex follows the form and style of official architecture from the Ming Dynasty, primarily consisting of two axial courtyard complexes along the east-west axis. The western axis features a two-courtyard layout, mainly housing the main hall of Tianfei Palace and side halls; the eastern axis consists of a single-courtyard layout, mainly including the Guanyin Hall, a stele pavilion, and side halls. The reconstructed Tianfei Palace has restored the main structures of the Ming Dynasty version, making it a blessed site that attracts visitors from all over the world.

It is said that after Zheng He’s first successful voyage to the Western Seas, to express gratitude for the Heavenly Goddess's protection at sea, he petitioned the emperor to bestow an honorary title upon Mazu. Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty issued an imperial decree to construct the “Longjiang Tianfei Palace,” personally composed the inscription for the palace, and conferred upon Mazu the title of “Heavenly Goddess Who Protects the Nation, Benefits the People, Shines Miraculously, Responds Compassionately, and Universally Aids All.” At the same time, the temple was officially named: “Palace of the Heavenly Goddess Who Universally Aids All with Compassion and Enlightenment.”

After its construction, Nanjing Tianfei Palace became the largest Mazu temple in China at the time. Before and after each of Zheng He’s subsequent six voyages to the Western Seas, he made special trips here to worship Mazu. Tianfei Palace in Nanjing has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, and was completely destroyed by Japanese artillery fire in 1937. Only the imperial stele of the Hongren Puhui Tianfei Palace, erected during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, remains standing.

The base and top of the Tianfei Palace stele are exquisitely carved, and the calligraphy is elegant. It is the largest surviving stone carving related to Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas in China, as well as the finest among surviving Mazu steles. It represents the highest-standard cultural relic of Mazu culture globally and holds significant historical, cultural, and valuable calligraphic art value.

Address: No. 284 Jianning Road, Gulou District, Nanjing

Type: Taoist Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Phone: 025-58801266

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:30

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 10.0 RMB