Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen

Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen

The Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen is located in Xiaruosi Township, Changxing County. It was originally the residence of Chen Baxian, the founding emperor of the Chen Dynasty, historically known as Emperor Wu of Chen.

Historical records state: “Due to the flourishing incense offerings at the former palace of Chen, in the first year of the Guangda era of the Chen Dynasty (567), an imperial decree established it as Tianju Temple; in the second year of the Zhiping era of the Song Dynasty (1065), it was renamed Guanghui Teaching Temple; in the 24th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1391), it was designated as a monastic complex, commonly known as Xiaruosi.”

There is an ancient well within the Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen. According to historical materials: when Chen Baxian was born, the well’s water boiled, and his family drew water from it to bathe him. Later generations called this well the “Sacred Well,” also known as the “Chen Well.”

The Sacred Well has stone-lined walls, is about 15 meters deep, with a diameter of 1.5 meters. Its water level is even with the ground, the water is clear, and it never runs dry throughout the year. In 1993, a new Sacred Well Pavilion was built, and a Sacred Well Stele was erected to protect the well. On August 15, 1994, the county government approved the reconstruction of the Chen Baxian Palace of the former Xiaruosi Temple.

The plaque at the entrance of the current Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen, inscribed with “Palace of Emperor Wu of Chen,” was handwritten by Chen Lifu, a former senior official of Taiwan. In the center of the palace stands a statue of Chen Baxian, while the western side features murals depicting his life journey. The back of the statue is inscribed with “The Personal Biography of Emperor Wu of Chen, the Founding Emperor of the Chen Dynasty.” The entire palace is adorned with exquisitely laid bricks, upturned eaves shaped like coiled dragons, two dragons playing with a pearl on the roof, dragons and phoenixes dancing across the gates, ancient bricks paving the floor — all combining to create a magnificent and solemn atmosphere.