Fu’an Lian Village

Fu’an Lian Village

Fu’an Lian Village is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Lian Village, originally named Shiji Jin, is located on the west bank of the Muyang Stream, southwest of Fu’an city proper. Provincial Highway Xiapu Line runs around the village. It currently has a population of over 2,600 and cultivated land area of more than 1,100 mu. It is the hometown of Xue Lingzhi, the first successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations in Fujian, and is recognized as a Famous Historical and Cultural Village of China. The area boasts a long history, remarkable people, beautiful waters, and lush mountains.

In the second year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (706 AD), Xue Lingzhi, a scholar from the village, passed the imperial examination and became the “first successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations in Fujian.” He rose to the position of Left Remonstrator and Tutor to the Crown Prince. Because of his integrity in office, Emperor Suzong of Tang (then the reigning emperor) praised his teacher’s noble character of honesty and uprightness, and bestowed upon the village the name “Lian Village” (廉村, meaning “Honesty Village”). It is the only village in China officially named with the character “廉” (honesty) by imperial decree.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, the area produced many talented individuals and saw a flourishing literary culture, earning fame as a “Village of Jinshi (successful imperial examination candidates)” with 33 notable jinshi. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it became a key transportation hub and an important distribution center for goods. During the revolutionary war period, it served as one of the base villages of the revolutionary base area in eastern Fujian.

The existing ancient fortress, ancient official road, ancient dock, ancient ancestral halls, ancient residences, ancient wood carvings, ancient stone carvings, ancient calligraphy and paintings, as well as a large number of folk cultural relics, all showcase its long-standing history and rich cultural heritage. Upon entering Lian Village, you can still see the ancient fortress built during the Ming Dynasty. The surrounding walls encircle the village like a solid defense system, protecting the settlement. Inside the fortress, the original stone-paved streets made of small pebbles are still preserved, along with ancient stone-carved buildings lining the streets, all of which never fail to amaze visitors.

Mingyue Ancestral Hall

The Mingyue Ancestral Hall was originally built in the eighth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty but was later destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the forty-third year of the Qianlong era. “The first to top the imperial list, unmatched in Fujian since ancient times” refers to Xue Lingzhi being the first jinshi in Fujian Province. “The emperor bestowed the name ‘Honesty,’ making it the foremost village in China” means that Lian Village is the only village in China named with the character “廉” (honesty) by imperial decree. The site also preserves a pair of precious cultural relics: a blue stone relief incense table from the 27th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, which is over 400 years old. The exquisite carvings on it depict auspicious symbols such as “cranes” and “turtles,” representing longevity; “deer,” symbolizing prosperity, high rank, and wealth; the “two dragons playing with a pearl” and “the qilin delivering a child,” as well as “magpies announcing good news.” Another carving features lotus flowers and peonies—the lotus represents honesty, purity, while the peony symbolizes wealth and honor.

Below are 14 exhibition panels. The panels on the left introduce the life of Xue Lingzhi, while those on the right mainly display his poetry as well as verses by historical figures praising and carrying forward the legacy of “Xue Lingzhi, the Honest Statesman,” and records about Lian Village.

Ancient Fortress

The ancient fortress of Lian Village was built in the 39th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1560 AD) and has a history of over 400 years. It is one of the better-preserved ancient fortresses in the province. With a perimeter of over 1,200 meters, it is elliptical in shape, encircling the entire village, and currently has six gates. In ancient times, this was a highly developed and prosperous town. The main purpose of building the fortress was to defend against Japanese pirates and strengthen coastal defenses.

Fengchi Pond

Fengchi Pond is a leisure spot in Lian Village. In ancient times, the village had a strong scholarly atmosphere. Scholars would come here to rest and admire the lotus flowers when tired from studying. The pond has now been restored and planted with lotuses. As the poem goes, “The lotus rises unstained from the mud, and is not bewitched by the clear ripples,” and since “lotus” (莲) sounds like “honesty” (廉), it symbolizes the noble character of the jinshi of Lian Village—upright and incorruptible in office. It also serves as a reminder to learn from the ancients and to act with integrity.

Scenic Spot Location

Xitan Town, Fu’an City, Ningde, Fujian Province

Xue Lingzhi, styled Junzhen and also known as Master Mingyue, was a native of Changle County, Fujian (now Lian Village, Xitan Township, Fu’an City). He was born on the 15th day of the eighth month in the second year of the Yongchun era of the Tang Dynasty (683 AD). His great-grandfather, Xue Xu, once served as a registrar in the Sui Dynasty. His father, Xue Fachu, was renowned for his literary talent, and was posthumously honored as Tutor to the State by Emperor Suzong of Tang. In his youth, Xue Lingzhi came from a poor family but was intelligent and studious. He once built a thatched cottage halfway up Lingyan Mountain to study diligently and wrote the poem “Song of the Thatched Cottage”: “Have you not seen Su Qin and Han Xin, who walked alone—yet who could recognize their brilliance? Once they encountered a wise and enlightened ruler, each wore a golden seal at their waist.” This expressed his aspirations.

In the second year of the Shenlong era (706 AD), Xue... Detailed information about Xue Lingzhi++

Lian Village: Originally named Shiji Jin, it is located 15 kilometers southwest of Fu’an city proper in Fujian Province.

During the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties (502–519), Guanlu Doctor Xue He migrated from the south of the Yangtze River to Fujian and eventually settled in Shiji Lu. His sixth-generation descendant, Xue Lingzhi, studied diligently and ultimately became the first jinshi in Fujian in the second year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (706 AD). After passing the exams, he was appointed as Left Remonstrator and Tutor to the Crown Prince. At that time, Prime Minister Li Linfu abused his power, and officials of the Eastern Palace were neglected. Xue Lingzhi, filled with indignation, wrote a self-lamenting poem on the wall: “The morning sun rises round and bright, shining upon the master’s tray. What is in the tray? Only sprouts growing along the edge. The rice is dry, the spoon...” Detailed information about Lian Village++