Wu Xiang Shrine

Wu Xiang Shrine

The Wu Xiang Shrine is located right next to the city moat and adjacent to the city gate tower. It was rebuilt in 1988 and is a temple dedicated to commemorating the loyal statesman Wu Zixu.

The Wu Xiang Shrine is divided into an eastern and a western courtyard. The eastern courtyard consists of halls, corridor pavilions, and a garden, with flowers, plants, rockeries, and winding corridors dotting the space. Bamboo and stone bamboos are tucked away behind lattice windows. The western courtyard is solemn and dignified. The main hall, spanning three rooms, is the Wu Xiang Shrine. Beneath a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Majestic as the Mountains and Rivers,” stands a vivid, approximately four-meter-tall painted statue of Wu Zixu, commanding deep respect. In front of the seated statue is a couplet on a pillar: “The ancient city remains as before; ascending this splendid pavilion allows one to overlook from on high; the restored historic structure draws all to bow before the surging tides.” Another couplet reads: “The past events shine bright, passed down through the ages across the world; the undying loyalty remains, still alive among mankind after thousands of years.”

Inside the Wu Xiang Shrine stands a thousand-year-old "Jia Shi" (sandwich stone), which was originally the flagpole base of the ancient temple. In ancient times, when Buddhist ceremonies were held here, a flagpole with streamers would be erected in the Jia Shi during the day, and a long-burning lamp would be hung at night. “All who entered the city would pay their respects here.” This thousand-year-old stone expresses the reverence of the people of Suzhou for Wu Zixu’s immortal contributions, as well as their indignation and regret over his “loyalty met with slander, and honesty doubted.”

Wu Zixu (559–484 BC).

A statesman, military strategist, and tactician of the late Spring and Autumn Period in the State of Wu. He was a native of Shenwan in Lengji District, Gucheng (originally part of Fucun Village, Guanghua County, transferred to Gucheng in 1949). During the Spring and Autumn Period, he served as a minister of the State of Wu (with official ranks divided into three levels: senior ministers, ministers, and scholars). Later, for his merit in helping Wu conquer Chu, he was granted the territory of Shen (approximately in the lower reaches of today’s Huangpu River), hence also known as Shen Xu. He was the second son of Wu She, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince of Chu. In 522 BC, his father and elder brother were falsely accused and executed by King Ping of Chu. He went into exile, traveling through the states of Song (modern-day Shangqiu area in Henan), Zheng (its capital was in modern-day Xinzheng, Henan), and others before arriving in Wu... For more details about Wu Zixu ++

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