Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall

Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall

Li Shutong Memorial Hall

Li Shutong – Hongyi Master (1880–1942), childhood name Chengxi, given name Wentao, originally from Pinghu, was born in Tianjin. Li Shutong was a renowned patriotic Buddhist monk, calligrapher, painter, seal carver, musician, dramatist, educator, poet, scholar, and pioneer of cultural exchange between China and Japan. He was one of China’s top ten calligraphers and painters of the 20th century and the 11th patriarch of the Nanshan Vinaya School. Li Shutong was a once-in-a-generation genius who mastered a wide range of disciplines and left behind a precious spiritual legacy for posterity.

The Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall is located on Dayingzhou Island in the East Lake Scenic Area. Built in the 37th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1558), the island was originally surrounded by nine converging waterways that resembled nine dragons playing with a pearl amidst the vast seas—hence its nickname "Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl." The memorial hall was constructed by the lakeside of the island, with its architecture designed in the form of an elegant, pure white lotus flower, making it an iconic landmark of the East Lake Scenic Area. In 2007, it was rated as a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction.

To commemorate Li Shutong, a distinguished local figure and a globally renowned historical and cultural personality, the Pinghu Municipal People's Government invested 27 million yuan and spent three years constructing the Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall, which was completed in 2004. Covering an area of 16.5 mu (approximately 1.1 hectares), the memorial hall has a total floor space of 1,615 square meters and a main structure standing 24 meters tall. Two-thirds of its width extends over the waters of East Lake. The entire building resembles an elegant, pure white lotus flower blooming on the shimmering lake surface, symbolizing Li Shutong’s broad-mindedness and noble character of “washing in clear ripples yet remaining unspoiled.” The park is lush with greenery, exuding a serene and picturesque environment. A group of life-size bronze statues of Li Shutong and his disciples Feng Zikai, Pan Tianshou, and Liu Zhiping, stand elegantly and dignifiedly, adding a strong cultural atmosphere to the park.

The main building of the memorial hall has two levels. The second floor houses seven exhibition rooms and a circular exhibition hall that can display over a hundred calligraphy and painting works. At the center stands a 20-ton white marble statue of Li Shutong—Hongyi Master, carved from stone sourced in Jiuzhaigou. The exhibition rooms use photos from various stages of Li Shutong’s life and historical materials to present his extraordinary life journey through his achievements in calligraphy, painting, seal carving, music, drama, poetry, education, Buddhism, and social influence. They also showcase his spiritual path from secular life to monasticism, offering visitors opportunities for commemoration, learning, and research.

Opening Hours

The Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall has been open to the public free of charge since March 1, 2008.

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30 to 16:45 (last admission at 16:30)

Pinghu Li Shutong Memorial Hall

Postal Code: 314200

Address: No. 29 Shutong Road, Danghu Subdistrict, Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province

Office Tel: (0573) 85011053

Fax: (0573) 85012926

Creative Research Office Tel: (0573) 85010719

Fax: (0573) 85010719

Business Department Tel: (0573) 85010030

Liang Lusheng (1748–1793), the second son of Liang Tongshu, styled Chusu, was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations in the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign (1788). Well-versed in phonology and proficient in the Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), he synthesized the works of various scholars and consulted numerous texts to write the Thirty Volumes of "Zuotong Buxi" to supplement what Du Yu had not covered. He was also knowledgeable in Shuowen (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters) and wrote poetry with a fresh style. A native of Qiantang, Zhejiang, he authored over twenty volumes of "Xuanxue Jiaoyan," eight volumes of "Xuanzao," six volumes of "Sicunxue," and many other works... More details about Liang Lusheng++

Further Reading:

· National Third-Class Museum of China