Pavilion of Breezy Integrity

Pavilion of Breezy Integrity

The Pavilion of Breezy Integrity is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Pavilion of Breezy Integrity is located on the southern bank of the Baohé River in Hefei. It was built in 1999 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Bao Zheng’s birth, promote the spirit of Lord Bao, and showcase Anhui’s long and rich cultural history. Covering an area of 33 mu, the pavilion complex is situated on the eastern side of the scenic Baogong Cultural Tourism Area. To its east lies the Bao Gong Tomb, and to its west stands the Bao Gong Temple. It is a large-scale comprehensive architectural complex styled after the Song Dynasty, integrating commemoration, exhibition, sightseeing, and leisure. The scenic area mainly consists of three parts: the Merit Plaza, the Pavilion of Breezy Integrity, and the Exhibition Hall area.

The Merit Plaza area comprises the main gate, the lantern guide pillars, the Merit Plaza itself, the Moon Pavilion, and the Fish Pond Flying Bridge. The roof corners of the main gate feature carvings of a horse, an ox, a sheep, and an immortal leading the way, while the platform corners are adorned with four mythical beasts.

Along the main path on either side are three lantern guide pillars each. These pillars are carved from natural stone, standing 1.76 meters tall. Their design and materials have been researched to match the historical and cultural ambiance. The pillars are topped with lotus pedestals and petal-shaped lamp holders. The square stone columns support square lanterns, open on all four sides, with a lamp in the center and a small four-cornered pavilion at the top. In many ancient Chinese buildings, lotus carvings are often associated with Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, but here they carry a special symbolism—representing the wish for the breeze of integrity to shine brightly forever. The Moon Pavilion is a double-eaved pavilion, four meters in both length and width, standing 8.4 meters tall. Inside the pavilion stands a stone stele, 2.3 meters high.

A few steps past the Moon Pavilion, you will arrive at the Fish Pond Flying Bridge. Standing on the stone bridge, you can see the crystal-clear water of the pond below and the surrounding architecture featuring Song-style cross-beam construction. This type of stone-carved architectural form was called “Fish Pond Flying Bridge” during the Song Dynasty. The main structure of the scenic area, the Pavilion of Breezy Integrity, faces east and stands opposite the Bao Gong Tomb. The pavilion is 42 meters tall, with five visible floors and four hidden ones, totaling nine stories. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the beautiful scenery of the entire Baogong Cultural Tourism Area. The outer eaves of the pavilion feature lattice doors between the pillars, with nine panels on each side, each panel decorated with a square-patterned floral center.

The first floor is the Radiant Sun and Moon Hall. It houses a large basswood relief sculpture titled “Ode to Breezy Integrity,” measuring 5.4 meters in length and 5 meters in width. The relief is divided into two parts, with the central image being a relief sculpture of Lord Bao. The background depicts scenes from his life, including “Returning Home to Honor His Parents,” “The Case of the Ox Tongue,” “Distributing Grain in Chenzhou,” and “Triumph Over the Three Bullies.” On either side are “Transporting Grain to Guard the Frontier” and “Managing Salt Affairs in the West.”

The second floor is the Song Charm of Luzhou Hall. It displays an ancient silk-colored painting mural titled “Ancient Luzhou Market Scene,” which vividly reflects the prosperity and peaceful life of Luzhou during the Song Dynasty. The third floor is the Exquisite Blossom of Jianghuai Hall, introducing an overview of Anhui and the culture of the Jianghuai region. The fourth floor is the River-Mountain Moon Hall. The fifth floor is the Luzhou Night Talk Hall, where visitors can learn about Hefei’s local traditional culture and get to know the city’s humanistic environment.