Ancient Relics of Xi Shi

Ancient Relics of Xi Shi

The Ancient Relics of Xi Shi are protected cultural heritage sites of Hangzhou City.

In the area around Tong’er Village in Linpu Town, formerly known as Zhuluo Township, it is said to be the hometown of Xi Shi, the legendary beauty of the Yue Kingdom. Today, there are 14 ancient sites related to Xi Shi.

Zhuluo Mountain and the Jade Rock are located east of the Xiaojiang River, at an elevation of 127 meters. The Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi-era “Xiaoshan County Annals” record: “Zhuluo Mountain is located 25 li south of the county in Zhuluo Township, with Xi Shi’s residence below and the Jade Rock above.” Legend says that after Xi Shi finished applying her makeup, she would splash rouge water onto the rock, which over time turned red. Another tale claims the red color was caused by Xi Shi’s tears of farewell as she left her homeland. “The rock retains the morning sunlight, while the river winds like spring silk around the green grass”—this is the scene depicted in the poem by Qing Dynasty’s Shan Longzhou. Today, quarrying has caused much damage to the site.

The HuanSha Stream is located west of Zhuluo Mountain, originating from the southern Ma Stream and flowing north into the Xiaojiang River. It runs through villages such as Tong’er and Shijiadu, stretching approximately 2,500 meters in length and 15–20 meters in width, with green trees lining both banks and clear flowing water. Xi Shi grew up drinking water from the HuanSha Stream and often washed silk by its banks when she was older—hence its name. The Tang Dynasty’s Fan Shu wrote in “Yunxi Youyi”: “Wang Xuan sailed on the Xiaojiang River and moored his boat near Zhuluo Mountain. Moved by the buried beauty of the nation, he sorrowfully inscribed the HuanSha Rock: ‘Peaks stand proud on the ridge, fine grass greens by the riverbank; today I see the HuanSha Rock, but not the one who washed silk here.’”

Xi Shi’s village, also known as Zhuluo Village, is today’s Tong’er Village and Shijiadu Village, formerly called East and West Zhuluo Villages. In the third year of the Song Dynasty’s Taiping Xingguo era (978), Zhuluo Township established the Xi Shi Subdistrict within it, where Xi Shi originated. Today, the Shi family in Shijiadu Village still lives together in a clan, believed to be descendants of Xi Shi. Xu Guonan, a Jinshi scholar and imperial reader during the Qing Qianlong era, said: “In the southern part of our county lies Zhuluo Village… the mountain deity bestowed a sage, and Xi Shi was born—she helped destroy Wu and preserve Yue, her loyalty and righteousness will last forever.”

The Xi Shi Temple is located on the west bank of the HuanSha Stream, facing east toward Zhuluo Mountain. In front of the temple stands the Zhuluo Pavilion. Legend says this temple was originally Xi Shi’s residence, which was later converted into the Xi Zi Ancestral Shrine after her death. During the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1174–1129), Emperor Xiaozong decreed Xi Shi as the earth and grain deity of the 48 villages of Zhuluo, so the shrine was renamed the Xi Shi Temple, commonly known as the Goddess Temple. For details, see the “Temples” chapter; the Zhuluo Pavilion is covered in the “Pavilions” chapter.

The Fan Li Temple is located in Chaiwan, Shijiadu, by the HuanSha Stream. It was built to commemorate Fan Li, the Yue statesman who found Xi Shi in Zhuluo Village. The locals, in memory of his achievements, erected the temple to worship him, hence the name Fan Li Temple, also called Risian An. It faces south, with three bays and two courtyards, and a stage in the front hall. Nearby was once an ancient ferry crossing, where Xi Shi boarded a boat to the Yue capital.

The Houjiang Temple is named after its proximity to the Hou River. Legend says that after Yue destroyed Wu, Xi Shi and Fan Li returned to Yue and lived in seclusion here, disembarking and settling at this spot—thus it is also called the Qibu Temple (“Starting Wharf Temple”). “Looking back at old companions, they speak through their plain skirts,” from the Ming Dynasty’s Lai Jizhi’s “Ode to the Xi Zi Ancestral Shrine in Zhuluo” refers to this place.

The Foot-Washing Pool is said to be where Xi Shi washed her feet during breaks from labor before going to Wu, hence the name. It was originally located at the bottom of Youluowan near Zhuluo Mountain, but it has silted up and is now difficult to find.

Xi Shi’s Field is a large tract of land between Zhuluo Mountain and the HuanSha Stream, where Xi Shi once farmed alongside fellow villagers. It is named in her honor.

Turtle Mountain and Clam Mountain are located east of the Xi Shi Temple. Legend says Xi Shi once picked up a turtle and a clam in Zhuluo Lake, kept them in a basin, and then released them into the lake during the campaign against Wu. They grew into two small mountains resembling a turtle and a clam, hence their names. Another tale says Turtle Mountain was where Xi Shi and a local youth, Tian He, fell in love as childhood sweethearts. But for the sake of Yue’s revival, Xi Shi left her lover to go to the Wu palace, while Tian He joined the Yue army and died in battle. After completing the mission of restoring Yue, Xi Shi returned home and buried her lover on a small hill near Zhuluo Village, which later became known as Turtle (and Clam) Mountain. These two hills are over ten meters high, covering dozens of square meters, with few remaining traces. Before being leveled, archaeologists excavated a stone tomb chamber at the top of Turtle Mountain and unearthed a collection of mid-Spring and Autumn period artifacts, seemingly confirming the legend.

Yu Meishi (Bathing Beauty Xi) is a pool located one kilometer northwest of Shijiadu, at the confluence of the Ma Stream and the Xiaojiang River. Legend says Xi Shi bathed and changed clothes here before heading to the Yue capital, hence the name. The Qing Dynasty’s Mao Qiling wrote: “Where Xi Shi rinsed her skirt, travelers now call it Meishi” (“Mountain Journey Passing Meishi Sluice”), referring to this spot. During the Ming Wanli era, a sluice gate was built here and named the Ancient Yu Meishi Sluice in Xi Shi’s honor.

The Yu Meishi Temple and Xi Shi Pavilion are located next to Yu Meishi, adjacent to the Guan Di Temple. The temple has a white-paved forecourt with stone railings. The front hall retains Qing Dynasty wooden brackets and beams, while the rear hall was rebuilt in 1989. The Xi Shi Pavilion was originally located north of the Yu Meishi Sluice but has since collapsed.

Tong’er Village: Located north of Linpu Town, Tong’er Village borders Sanquanwang and Sanliwang villages of Suoqian Town to the east and north, neighbors Zhuluo Village and the Linpu exit of the Hang-Jin-Qu Expressway to the south, and is adjacent to Tong’er Village and Provincial Road 03’s eastern extension to the west, with the Hang-Jin-Qu Expressway passing through the village. The village has 14 villager groups, with a registered population of 1,998 and 541 households by the end of 2007. It includes 410 mu of reclaimed farmland, covering an area of 1.9 square kilometers.

With economic and social development, Linpu Town’s Phase II Industrial Park has been established in our village, hosting a total of 15 enterprises. By 2007... More details about Tong’er Village ++