Pukou Palace

Pukou Palace

Pukou Palace is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

Pukou Palace is located in Jiangdong Village, Huangshi Town, Putian City, and was built to commemorate the biannual memorial ceremonies for Consort Mei. Covering a land area of 1,500 square meters with a construction area of 999 square meters, the palace features grand, majestic halls that are resplendent with gold and color. The lintels on either side of the gate tower are intricately carved with the eight regular script characters “皇图巩固，帝道遐昌” (The empire’s foundation is consolidated, the emperor’s path prospers afar), and it is the only imperial-style architecture in southeastern Fujian.

According to the *Putian County Annals · Chronicle of Events*, Pukou Palace was first built in the first year of the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty (756 AD). It was later renovated by Song Dynasty Hanlin academician Wu Mengci and others, and underwent multiple expansions and restorations during the Ming Dynasty in the fourth year of the Wanli era, the 28th year of the Kangxi era in the Qing Dynasty, and the 21st year of the Qianlong era, among others. To this day, it retains the richly carved architectural style of palaces from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with all structures built according to the ceremonial standards of emperors and imperial consorts.

Architectural Structure

The architectural structure of Pukou Palace is scientifically designed. It adopts an imperial palace style, consisting of a screen wall, gate tower, and corridor rooms, presenting an elegant and dignified appearance with a royal ambiance. The worship pavilion and the main gate feature layered bracket sets (dougong) that are intricately arranged with balanced density, showcasing a scientific layout and unique design. The surrounding roof of the worship pavilion has square upturned corners with vivid reliefs, exuding solemnity and elegance. The worship pavilion and the front eaves of the main hall are integrated into one structure. The main hall is a hip-and-gable roof with two side slopes, featuring five bays in width and four in depth, making it spacious and lofty. Notably, the roof is supported by a hybrid system of 100 wooden and stone pillars using a combination of post-and-lintel and bracketing techniques, which is scientifically structured and balanced in load distribution—highly distinctive. It was called a “unique hundred-pillar structure” by Guo Moruo.

Pukou Palace boasts a very high artistic quality. Hanging high above the main gate is an imperial plaque inscribed with “Pukou Palace,” featuring exquisitely carved dragons and phoenixes. In front of the gate, the drum-shaped stone pedestals are adorned with lively stone carvings of “dragons playing with a pearl” and “a phoenix weaving through peonies.” All column bases, lotus-shaped hangings, spandrels, dougong blocks, awnings, as well as wooden and stone components are finely carved. Especially notable are the gold-lacquered wood carvings on the shrine awning, showcasing superb painting techniques and exquisite carving craftsmanship. Various floral, bird, figure, and story motifs are vivid and lifelike, described as masterpieces of Putian’s gold-lacquered carving and among the three national models of openwork gold-lacquered art. At the center of the main hall is enshrined a restored statue of Consort Mei, kind and graceful, strikingly lifelike. The east and west corridor gates feature ink paintings of Putian’s Twenty-Four Scenic Spots, masterfully painted by renowned Qing Dynasty artists, immersing visitors as if in a beautiful landscape. Pukou Palace also houses many inscribed plaques by notable figures, including the inscription “梅妃生里” (Birthplace of Consort Mei) by literary giant Guo Moruo, the stele “贞烈垂芳” (Chastity and Virtue Live On) by Qing Dynasty calligraphy master Yi Bingshou, and plaques such as “泽润生民” (Blessing the People) by Qing Dynasty Minister of Justice Guo Shangxian and “正气浩然” (Noble Spirit) by former President of the Republic of China’s Executive Yuan, Zhang Qun—all of high cultural and historical value. Pukou Palace also contains famous couplets and inscriptions. In front of the statue of Consort Mei in the main hall hangs the renowned couplet “明珠辞一斛，亮节足千秋” (She returned a tribute of pearls, her noble integrity lasts a thousand autumns), composed by Yu Youren, a master calligrapher of the Republic of China, praising Consort Mei’s unyielding virtue that will be remembered for millennia. Unfortunately, this couplet was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but was fortunately rewritten by Professor Yu Gang, a renowned calligrapher from Xiamen University. Hanging at the center of the main hall is a calligraphic work by Zhao Yulin, a famous poet, master calligrapher, and former president of the Fujian Poetry and Couplet Society, which reads: “读采苹诗，效二南礼，奇志丹心唯报国；呈楼东赋，辞一斛珠，贞风亮节永流芳” (Reading the ‘Cai Ping’ poem, emulating the rites of the ‘Two Souths,’ her extraordinary resolve and loyalty serve the nation; presenting the ‘East Tower’ ode, returning a tribute of pearls, her noble integrity forever lives on). The upper line summarizes that Consort Mei entered the palace to serve her country, while the lower line praises her enduring spirit of nobility. Pukou Palace also features other notable couplets such as “久藏胜境因人发，信知天地有精英” (A hidden scenic gem revealed by people, one knows heaven and earth hold true essence) by Qing Dynasty censor Jiang Chunlin, and “有怀期报国，所贵在无私” (With aspirations to serve the nation, what matters most is selflessness) by Guo Moruo—each demonstrating exceptional cultural refinement.

Pukou Palace embodies the qualities of being “ancient, grand, and beautiful,” and is hailed as the “Foremost Palace of Putian.” The hometown of Consort Mei also boasts numerous historical relics and legends, such as “抬头石” (Looking-Up Stone), “梅妃诼” (Tales of Consort Mei), “牧鸭地” (Duck-Herding Ground), “美人湖” (Lake of the Beauty), “梅亭” (Plum Pavilion), “梅园” (Plum Garden), “犀牛浦” (Rhinoceros Cove), “白玉惊鸿” (White Jade Startled Swan), and “戏神第一庙” (First Temple of the Theater God)—all of which are captivating and leave visitors lingering in admiration.

The auxiliary structure of Pukou Palace, Feiyun Temple, is a shrine dedicated to Lei Haiqing, the progenitor of Putian Opera. Legend has it that when Consort Mei entered the palace, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang bestowed a troupe of imperial musicians upon Putian as a token of favor. This troupe later evolved into Putian Opera, known as the living fossil of southern Chinese opera. To commemorate the contributions of Consort Mei and Lei Haiqing to the origin of Putian Opera, the local community constructed this auxiliary structure of Pukou Palace—a temple dedicated to the theater god.

Pukou Palace is a commemorative ancient structure. It serves as tangible evidence for studying the historical figure of Consort Mei from the Tang Dynasty and the reasons behind Emperor Xuanzong’s role in triggering the An Lushan Rebellion. It is also a material reference for researching the architectural art, carving art, and the origins of Putian Opera in southeastern Fujian during the Ming and Qing dynasties. As a result, the hometown of Consort Mei was designated in 1997 by the Chinese Cultural Relics Society, China Tourism Association, Chinese Museums Association, and Chinese Scenic Spots Association as one of the 300 famous scenic tourist attractions in China. It was included in the book *China’s 300 Famous Tourist Attractions*, published for domestic and international distribution, enjoying extremely high renown. In January 2001, it was listed by the Fujian Provincial People’s Government as a fifth-batch provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Consort Mei, Jiang CaiPing (710–756), also known as Lady Jiang, Lady Jiangdong, or the Plum Spirit, was an early favored consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and one of the Eight Great Talented Women among imperial consorts. She excelled in poetry, music, and dance, and authored works such as *Thanksgiving for the Gifted Pearls* and *The East Tower Ode*. A woman of both talent and beauty, she choreographed the *Startled Swan Dance*, which became famous in the Tang Dynasty but has since been lost. During the An Lushan Rebellion, when Emperor Xuanzong fled without her—leaving her trapped in a cold palace—Consort Mei took her own life by wrapping herself in white silk and jumping into a well.

Biography

Background

Jiang CaiPing, styled Lady Mei, grew up… More details about Jiang CaiPing++

Jiang CaiQin was from Putian (now Jiangdong Village, Huangshi Town, Putian County, Fujian).

Jiang CaiQin, the younger brother of Consort Mei Jiang CaiPing during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, had a father named Jiang Zhongxun—an erudite scholar well-versed in literature and medicine. During the An Lushan Rebellion, Consort Mei committed suicide by jumping into a well. After Emperor Xuanzong returned to the capital from Sichuan, he located her remains and gave her a grand burial with the rites befitting a consort. Legend says her younger brother Jiang CaiQin later petitioned for her reburial in their ancestral hometown, where she was laid to rest in the Jiang family ancestral tomb. Pukou Palace, a provincial cultural relic protection unit, enshrines in its main hall the statue of Consort Mei, beloved by Emperor Xuanzong. To her left is the statue of her brother Jiang CaiQin, also known as Imperial Uncle Jiang. … More details about Jiang CaiQin++

Jiangdong Village: Introduction to Jiangdong Village

Jiangdong Village is located on the southern side of the downstream area of the Mulan-Ninghai River, with Huangshi Town situated at the southwestern corner of the village, approximately 3 kilometers away. To the east, it borders Zhelang Village by the sea; to the south, Sanhua Village; to the west, Qingzhong and Qinghou Villages; and to the northwest, Qiaoxia Village. The village covers an area of about 3 square kilometers, comprising four natural villages, 23 villager groups, 1,371 households, and a population of 5,749. The village has 9 elected officials, 5 appointed cadres, and 271 Party members, including 8 probationary members. The local economy mainly revolves around seasonal contract farming of rice, as well as the cultivation of fruits, vegetables… More details about Jiangdong Village++