Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi

Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi

Guide:

The Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi is situated at the northern end of the Ancient Street of Wuyi Palace in northern Fujian. It stands on the original site of Chongyou Temple, one of the six major temples of the Song Dynasty. Chongyou Temple was first constructed in the seventh year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (748 AD) and was historically hailed as a magnificent structure on a renowned mountain. Over more than 1,200 years, it has withstood wars and fires, and has been repeatedly restored and rebuilt. In the late 1980s, relevant departments invested millions to rebuild the temple hall on the Dharma Hall site of Chongyou Temple, establishing it as the Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi. It is the largest memorial building dedicated to the renowned Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi in China.

The Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi is located on the Ancient Street of Wuyi Palace in northern Fujian Province. It is a Song-style imitation palace architecture, facing south with a rectangular layout, approximately 35 meters in length from north to south and 25 meters in width from east to west, covering an area of about 875 square meters. It consists of a front hall, two corridors, a courtyard, and exhibition rooms.

Hanging prominently above the memorial hall is a horizontal plaque inscribed with the words “Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi,” with the five large characters being solemn and powerful. On either side of the main gate, there are three couplets hanging from the pillars. One was written and inscribed by Zhao Puchu: “Through the ages, diligently seeking truth, expounding the teachings of the Cheng brothers on human nature and heaven; the three characters ‘Do not stray far and return,’ reflecting spiritual cultivation along the Nine-Bend Stream.” Another is the imperial calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty: “Synthesizing the great teachings to continue the lost doctrines of a thousand years; enlightening the ignorant and establishing eternal principles for generations.” The third was written and inscribed by Zhang Dainian, a renowned Chinese historian and professor at Peking University: “Encompassing the vast and mastering the minute, embracing the wisdom of all dynasties; upholding virtue and pursuing knowledge, integrating theory and practice.” On the surrounding walls on both sides of the gate, there are 10 stone tablets each, engraved with poems from Zhu Xi’s handwritten series “Twenty Scenic Spots South of Tanzhou City,” which were poetic exchanges between Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi during his visit to Yuelu Academy in Changsha. Upon entering the gate, visitors are greeted by a screen wall bearing a poem by contemporary historian Cai Shangsi: “Confucius emerged in the Eastern Zhou; Zhu Xi arose in the Southern Song. The ancient culture of China rests upon Mount Tai and Wuyi.”

The western corridor of the memorial hall displays the life of Zhu Xi, divided into eight sections: Zhu Xi’s ancestors, his diligent childhood studies, settling in Wufu, philosophizing in the southeast, his ups and downs in officialdom, his soul returning to Tangshi, posthumous titles and honors, and others. With a wealth of images and cultural relics, it vividly illustrates Zhu Xi’s arduous yet great life. In the pavilion of the western corridor stands the Spirit Way Stele of Liu Gong, written and inscribed by Zhu Xi himself. It has been listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit and is considered the treasure of the hall. On both sides of the stele are Zhu Xi’s calligraphic renderings of the characters “Integrity” and “Rectitude.” There is also a plaque inscribed with “Moral Authority Through the Ages,” also in Zhu Xi’s handwriting.

The eastern corridor showcases the passing on of the torch, Zhu Xi’s prolific writings, his followers, international influence, domestic impact, the four International Academic Conferences on Zhu Xi Studies, relics of Zhu Xi culture in Northern Fujian, and descendants of Zhu Xi. The exhibits are abundant and diverse, vividly demonstrating how Zhu Xi’s teachings transcend time and spread across the world.

The main hall features a double-eave roof. The upper plaque is inscribed with “Learning Reaches Human Nature and Heaven,” and the lower plaque reads “Tranquility Reveals the True Image”—both written in the hand of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Stepping into the hall, the central feature is a seated bronze statue of Zhu Xi, with his right hand resting on his knee and his left holding a book. The figure is serene and exquisitely crafted. Above the statue hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed “Orthodox of Neo-Confucianism,” written by the renowned calligrapher Shen Jingshou. In front of the statue are standing bronze figures of Zhu Xi’s four major disciples—Cai Yuanding and Chen Chun on the left, and Huang Gan and Zhen Dexiu on the right—all dressed in traditional scholar robes, holding books, and standing respectfully as if listening to teachings.

The display cabinets and shelves in the main hall and the two corridors exhibit a vast collection of Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucian works, spanning versions and editions from the Song Dynasty to the present. Among the particularly precious items are Zhu Xi’s calligraphy, his chronology, a self-portrait, and imperial inscriptions bestowed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty to honor Yang Shi and Li Tong, Zhu Xi’s mentors.

The memorial hall uses text, images, and artifacts to introduce Zhu Xi’s life, highlighting his extraordinary journey from childhood education in Wuyi Mountain, to writing and scholarship in middle age, and finally founding a school in old age to become a great Confucian master. It also outlines, through photos and text, how his teachings have transcended time and spread globally. For instance, the Toegye School in Korea has now become an international academic institution dedicated to the study of Zhu Xi’s philosophy. Exhibits include a portrait of Toegye (the school’s founder), his literary works in Classical Korean, as well as summaries of 17 years of International Conferences on Zhu Xi Studies held from 1983 to 2000 (two of which took place in Wuyi Mountain). The exhibit also includes a wide range of Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucian writings. Other rare items include a Chinese-language “Collected Annotations on the Analects” textbook from Japan’s Edo period.

Works by modern Neo-Confucian scholars—including monographs from the United States, Japan, Korea, Europe, and Australia—highlight the essence of scholarly work from around the world. In addition, several special panels extensively introduce the lives of Zhu Xi’s descendants active both domestically and internationally. Over its 12 years of operation, the Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi has garnered significant attention from the global academic community. It has hosted scholars who attended the International Zhu Xi Conferences, received over 500 pieces of calligraphy and couplets, and welcomed foreign leaders passionate about Sinology, including the Queen of the Netherlands. Central government leaders in charge of national cultural and educational affairs visited twice. Deng Xiaoping and Deng Pufang, among others, spoke highly of it after their visits.

Address: Ancient Street of Wuyi Palace, Wuyishan City, Nanping, Fujian (near Dawang Peak).

Type: Memorial Hall

Recommended visiting time: 1 hour

Phone: 0599-5131890

Official website: http://www.whwy.org/

Opening hours:

7:30-17:30

Ticket information:

No admission fee. Included with the Wuyi Mountain ticket.

Zhu Xi, courtesy name Yuanhui (later changed to Zhonghui), pseudonym Huian, also known as Ziyang, was from Wuyuan, Jiangxi, and was born in Youxi, Fujian. His father, Zhu Song, served as the magistrate of Youxi County in the fifth year of the Xuanhe era of the Song Dynasty (1123 AD) and, upon completing his term, resided in the residence of Zheng Andao in Shuinan County. On September 15 of the fourth year of the Jianyan era (1130 AD), Zhu Xi was born. Zhu Xi was intelligent and studious from a young age. At age 7, he moved with his parents to Jianzhou (now Jian’ou, Fujian). At 14, following his father’s dying wish, he went to live with his friends Hu Xian and Liu Mianzhi in Chong’an County. Hu and Liu treated Zhu Xi like a nephew, arranged his living situation, and taught him enthusiastically. Liu Mianzhi even married his daughter to Zhu Xi. … More details about Zhu Xi ++

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