Memorial Hall of Wang Dao and Xie An

Memorial Hall of Wang Dao and Xie An

The Memorial Hall of Wang Dao and Xie An is located in Wuyi Lane on the southern bank of the Qinhuai River. It is a thematic exhibition hall showcasing the culture and art of the Six Dynasties period, as well as the family histories of the two prominent clans, the Wangs and the Xies. The hall features structures such as the Laiyan Hall and Jianjin Tower, displaying precious cultural relics from the Six Dynasties. This site was once the barracks for the imperial guards of Jianye, the capital of the Eastern Wu Kingdom. At that time, the soldiers wore black uniforms, hence the lane was named “Wuyi” (Black Clothes), and to this day, there remains a “Wuyi Well” within the lane.

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Wuyi Lane was a residential area for high-ranking officials and nobles. The lane was lined with magnificent mansions. The Wang and Xie families, representatives of the powerful clans of the Six Dynasties, lived here — notably Wang Dao and Xie An. The Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi once visited this place and wrote the timeless verse: “By the Zhuque Bridge wild flowers grow; / Over the Wuyi Lane the sun hangs low. / Swallows that skimmed by painted eaves / Are dipping now ’neath common eaves.”

Address: No. 1, Wuyi Lane, Qinhuai District, Nanjing

Type: Memorial Hall

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Phone: 025-52231693

Opening hours:

9:00-21:00

Ticket information:

Door price: 8.0 RMB

Wang Dao (276 – September 7, 339), courtesy name Maohong, childhood name A’long, was a native of Langya Lin Yi (present-day Linyi City, Shandong Province). He was a renowned statesman and calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, serving under three emperors: Emperor Yuan, Emperor Ming, and Emperor Cheng. He was one of the founding figures of the Eastern Jin regime.

Wang Dao came from the prestigious Langya Wang clan of the Wei and Jin periods. In his early years, he was close to Sima Rui (Emperor Yuan of Jin), the Prince of Langya, and later advised him to relocate to Jianye. He also helped connect with southern gentry and pacify northern aristocrats who had fled south. After the establishment of the Eastern Jin, he was first appointed as General of Agile Cavalry, Grand Marshal with equal ceremonial rank to the Three Excellencies, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wugang. He was later promoted to Palace Attendant, Minister of Works, and granted military authority... More details about Wang Dao++

Xie An (320 – October 12, 385), courtesy name Anshi, also known as Grand Tutor Xie, Duke Wenjing of Xie, and Duke of Dongshan, was a famous statesman of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Xie An studied running script under Wang Xizhi and was an outstanding calligrapher, particularly skilled in running script, with masterpieces such as “Two Poems from the Orchid Pavilion” and “Poems to Wang Huzhi.” Xie An thwarted Huan Wen’s attempt to usurp the throne and was the key decision-maker for the Eastern Jin during the Battle of Fei River. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Jianchang County. However, after the victory, due to his overwhelming fame, he fell under suspicion by Emperor Xiaowu and retreated to Guangling to avoid political peril. Xie An passed away in 385 in Jiankang at the age of 66. He was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor and given the posthumous title Wenjing... More details about Xie An++

Wuyi Lane Community: The poetic line “By the Zhuque Bridge wild flowers grow; / Over the Wuyi Lane the sun hangs low. / Swallows that skimmed by painted eaves / Are dipping now ’neath common eaves.” originates from Wuyi Lane. Located within the Confucius Temple tourist scenic area, it sits on the southern bank of the Qinhuai River, bordering Bailuzhou Park to the east, Wuding Bridge to the west, Changle Road to the south, and a food street to the north, covering an area of nearly 170,000 square meters. The community has 2,309 households and a total population of 7,597. It is divided into six sections: Pipa Residential Area, Chao Ku Street, Yipin Jiayuan, Xishiba Street, Jinlun New Village, Xiaoshiba Street, Dashiba Street, and Xinglong Lane. Resident units include... More details about Wuyi Lane Community++