Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple

Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple

Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Longwan District.

Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple (also known as the Ancestral Hall of Tianlin Gong) is located on Wufang Lane, Pumen Village (Sandu), Yongzhong Subdistrict, Longwan District, Wenzhou City. It was first built around the mid-Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty (circa 1645). Legend has it that during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the Pumen Earth God Temple in Sandu was struck by fire, which also spread to the ancestral temple. As a result, descendants of the Zhang family from the four branches raised funds to rebuild the Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple around the year 1788, on the original site. The structure faces south, features five bays and two courtyards, with the entrance hall spanning 10.7 meters in width and 3.93 meters in depth. The main hall is 10.85 meters wide and 9.7 meters deep, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters. The courtyard, terrace, and passageways are all paved with long flagstones. In front of the gate, there is a pair of stone plaques (flagpole stands) that demonstrate the temple’s distinguished status. In front of the ancestral hall are Zhu Shan Mountain, Yongchang Fort, and Baishui Tianzhu Peak towering majestically; behind the hall is Huangshi Mountain with its sharp peak overlooking the Ou River. To the east are flowing waters (a tributary of the Cang River), small bridges, and village houses, while to the west lies the Zhonghe River leading directly to Baishui Yongzhong. With convenient land and water transportation, beautiful scenery, an elegant environment, and a solemn atmosphere, the site is truly picturesque.

Due to years of neglect, the hall fell into disrepair, riddled with leaks. During the Cultural Revolution’s campaign to eliminate the “Four Olds,” Red Guards destroyed the plaques, temple doors, flagpole stands, inscriptions, and more, leaving the site abandoned and unmanaged. The western wall was torn down, and a 16-meter-long, 4-meter-wide section of the enclosed area was taken over by locals to build buildings.

Since 1985, the Wenzhou Ouhai County cultural relics management authorities have allocated successive funds for the Zhang Tianlin Ancestral Temple. By the spring of 1991, the Ouhai County People's Government officially designated the temple as a county-level cultural heritage protection unit. Authorities at higher levels allocated a total of more than 30,000 yuan and mobilized the descendants of the Zhang family to actively participate in fundraising efforts, amassing over 250,000 yuan over the years. The ancestral temple was renovated to a completely renewed state, restoring its former refined, serene, majestic ambiance. Stone steles were also erected to commemorate the patriotic, hometown-loving, and people-loving deeds of Zhang Tianlin. In the central hall hang portraits of four generations of ancestors of Tianlin Gong, including the image of Zhang Cong, Chief Cabinet Minister during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, which is displayed first, exuding a particularly solemn and dignified aura. These serve as objects of reverence and remembrance for visitors.

Zhang Tianlin (1586–1639) was a high-ranking frontier official. His courtesy name was Jizhao and his pseudonym Pingfu. He was a native of Pumen, Sandu, Yongjia Field (now Pumen Village, Yongzhong Subdistrict, Longwan District). In the 40th year of the Wanli era (1612), he ranked first in the provincial examinations, and in the 2nd year of the Tianqi era (1622), he passed the imperial examination, ranking first among the second-class successful candidates (Chuanlu). He served in various official positions, including Director of the Sacrificial Worship Division of the Ministry of Rites, and Assistant Director of the Fine Cuisine Division. In the 1st year of the Chongzhen era (1628), he was appointed as the Jiangsu-Suzhou Regional Administrative Commissioner in the south, later reassigned as the Education Commissioner and Surveillance Commissioner of Guangdong, then as the Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Fujian, Provincial Governor of Hunan, Governor-General of Yunnan, and finally as the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. While serving as Education Commissioner of Guangdong, he made great efforts to rectify literary styles... More details about Zhang Tianlin ++