Fenglin Ancestral Hall

Fenglin Ancestral Hall

Fenglin Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

Fenglin Ancestral Hall, also known as the Li Clan Ancestral Hall, is located 3 kilometers southwest of ShanYang Town in Gutian County. It was first established in the second year of Tang Tianyou (905) when a monastery was built, fields were allocated for its upkeep, and an ancestral shrine was set up. In the fourth year of Later Tang Tiancheng (929), the monastery was reconstructed and renamed Fenglin. It was founded by Li Ba, the fourth-generation ancestor who migrated to Fujian. Having stood for over 1,100 years, Fenglin Ancestral Hall is grand in scale and one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Lantian. From afar, layered green mountains stretch into the distance, while nearby, the waters meander gracefully. To the east of the hall stand towering stone pillars from the Tang Dynasty, telling tales of its past glory. Thirty-two flagpole steles line both sides of the entrance, all erected by scholars who achieved academic honors through the imperial examinations throughout history. These steles remain well-preserved and present a magnificent sight.

Stepping into the ancestral hall, you will find inscriptions on the main seat and walls. These include the four large characters “Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Shame” (each 1.2 meters square) penned by Zhu Xi, the Song Dynasty neo-Confucian scholar, along with his four-line poetic inscription: “Spring reports from South Bridge where hills stack emerald layers; fragrance flies in scholarly gardens with wild scenes renewed; snow hall nurtures nobility and gathers pure air; moon cave observes void as my spirit calms.” There are also two traditional Chinese paintings by the renowned artist Li Ruochu.

“Sacrifices endure a thousand autumns, the temple’s visage remains; official hats shine through ten thousand ages, ancestral virtue admired.” This couplet at Fenglin Ancestral Hall, written by Li Houji, former governor and military governor, recounts the long history and profound cultural heritage of the hall.

Fenglin Ancestral Hall is located at the foot of Fenglin Mountain, 3 kilometers southwest of ShanYang Town in Gutian County. It is a shrine dedicated to Li Hui, the founding ancestor of the Li Clan who migrated to Fujian. The three-courtyard hall covers an area of 2,500 square meters and was first built in the second year of Tang Tianyou (905), exactly 1,100 years ago. After multiple renovations, it stands majestically as one of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in Gutian County and one of the famous ancestral halls among the Ten Counties of Fuzhou.

Fenglin Ancestral Hall houses rich historical artifacts, including ancient steles from the Song and Yuan Dynasties, which serve as valuable resources for studying historical development and ancestral hall culture. The calligraphy of Zhu Xi, the great neo-Confucian scholar, adds great charm to the hall. Originally, there were 13 giant stone pillars in front of the hall, each 0.6 meters in diameter and 4 to 7 meters high, nine of which still remain. There are also two massive stone troughs, each 0.8 meters high, 1.2 meters wide, and 7 meters long, remnants from the ancient Fenglin Temple during the Northern Song Chongning era (around 1105). These enormous artifacts are of significant value for studying the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient people.

Fenglin Ancestral Hall also records over 1,200 years of prosperity and glory of the Li Clan since their migration to Fujian in the late Tang Dynasty: the founding ancestor Li Hui was the top scholar in the second year of Tang Kaicheng. From the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, descendants of the Li Clan from Fenglin Ancestral Hall produced over 60 upright officials, including prime ministers, ministers, senior officials, royal sons-in-law, and criminal investigation officers. The first successful imperial examination candidate from Gutian County was Li Rui from ShanYang.

ShanYang Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Gutian County. In 1958, it was set up as ShanYang Commune, changed to a township in 1984, and became a town in 1992. Located in the eastern part of the county, it covers an area of 205 square kilometers with a population of 33,000. The town administers 21 village committees: ShanYang, Xiazhuang, Yuandi, Liyang, Ximen, Baixi, Baoqiao, Songyang, Shande, Kangningyang, Zhuyang, Fuyang, Qinchǐ, Yeyang, Dongji, Lingli, Dongshuang, Bandou, Hengshan, Louxia, and Hongwan. Local industries include power generation, bamboo weaving, edible fungus processing, stone slab production, and tea processing. The main agricultural products are rice and tubers, along with tea, oil peach, peach, plum, and mushrooms... More information on ShanYang Town++