Fengyue Pavilion and Qiyuan Poetry Society

Fengyue Pavilion and Qiyuan Poetry Society

Fengyue Pavilion in Mengcheng was first built in the 24th year of the Republic of China (1935) as a venue where members of the “Qiyuan Poetry Society” gathered to engage in literary activities.

The Qiyuan Poetry Society was established in the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921), making it one of the earliest literary organizations in the county. At that time, nearly a hundred poetry enthusiasts among scholars and literati from both urban and rural areas of Mengcheng joined. The convener of the society, Yang Jingsong (also known as Chunfeng), was the owner of the century-old local pharmacy “Cunrentang Pharmacy.” In 1935, Yang built “Woyun Tower” in his backyard as a library, and constructed a “Fengyue Pavilion” atop Woyun Tower as a fixed gathering place for the poets. Starting from the first “Chu Han Hui” (Cold Dispelling Gathering) after the beginning of the Great Heat period following the summer solstice in the lunar calendar, the society would gather once every nine days under the name of the Cold Dispelling Gathering. They would compose poetry, enjoy the moon, and exchange verses, hence naming the pavilion “Fengyue Pavilion” (Pavilion of Scenery and Moonlight).

Fengyue Pavilion faces south and features a yellow plaque with green characters inscribed with the name “Fengyue Pavilion” hanging above its front entrance. On the upper part of the north wall inside the pavilion hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed with the words “A World Apart.” The couplet on either side reads:

A myriad homes lie within sight; poetic chats by the window under the moonlight.

The west window of the pavilion is inscribed with: Embracing the Breeze.

The couplet on either side reads:

The moon above the pavilion flows like water; poems on all walls weigh like mountains.

The east window is inscribed with: Greeting the Dawn.

The couplet on either side reads:

Here, poetic inspiration soars even higher; in such a sublime place, what more could one seek?

Members of the Qiyuan Poetry Society often composed poetry and prose here, producing a wealth of works. These were compiled into a collection by Yang Jingsong and titled “Fengyue Pavilion Collection” (in two volumes, upper and lower), which became the earliest printed poetry anthology in the county. Yang’s own poems were separately compiled into “Woyun Tower Poetry Collection” (in two volumes, upper and lower) and published independently. Both books were copied and preserved by the County Annals Office and are now housed in the Mengcheng County Annals Office.

In 1937, when the War of Resistance Against Japan began and the county town fell successively, members of the poetry society scattered, leading to the cessation of the society’s activities. Although the pavilion survived heavy bombings by Japanese aircraft, it remained intact. After liberation, Woyun Tower and its associated buildings, as typical representatives of traditional northern Anhui architecture, were designated as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit by the Mengcheng County People’s Government.

Note: In 1999, Woyun Tower and the entire building complex were completely demolished. The original site and the large area of land to its east, in front of Mingluntang Hall, were reconstructed into a historical and cultural square.