Autumn Moon over White Pond

Autumn Moon over White Pond

Autumn Moon over White Pond

White Pond is located in Baitang Town, Hanjiang District, spanning three villages—Yangwei, Zhenqian, and Shangwu. It gathers waters from the Sihua and Mulan rivers, covering an area of 300 acres, making it the largest pond in both the southern and northern regions of Putian. During the Song Dynasty, it was called “Zhuyue Pool” (Pond that Reflects the Moon), and is now known as “Baishuitang” (White Water Pond), “Baitanggou” (White Pond Ditch), or commonly referred to as “Baitang” (White Pond).

With its vast expanse of clear blue water and beautiful scenery, White Pond has long been a popular destination for moon viewing, earning the name “Autumn Moon over White Pond,” and is one of the Twenty-Four Scenic Spots of Putian. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, villages around the pond are adorned with lanterns and decorations. There are performances of traditional drum music, theatrical shows, and folk ensembles, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere. As night falls and the lights come on, visitors flock to White Pond from all directions. The shores are packed with people, while the pond is filled with hundreds of boats. Whether on land or water, everywhere you look there is the sound of drums and music, and the air is alive with song. Look up: the boundless blue sky, the radiant full moon, the shimmering lights reflected on the water—all blend into one, as if this were the White Pond in heaven and a bustling fair on earth. The most enchanting moment comes after midnight, when all is quiet, the wind is gentle, the waves are calm, the sky is high, the air fresh, the moon bright, and the stars sparse. The surrounding peaks of Putian are mirrored in the water—mountains within the pond, the moon within the mountains, the water crystal clear and the moon seemingly sinking into it. It’s a scene so extraordinary, it resembles a fairyland or the serene Moon Palace. Visitors are spellbound, feeling as though they are floating on air. This is the breathtaking beauty of the “Autumn Moon over White Pond.”

In the middle of the pond is a floating islet known as the “Mother Duck Nest,” on which stands the Floating Islet Palace, also called the “Niangma Palace,” dedicated to Mazu (the Goddess of the Sea). It was built by Li Fu of Yangwei Village. Legend has it that Li Fu, who was tending to his family farm, witnessed the Jurchen-led Jin army's southward invasion and massive assault on the Northern Song Dynasty. With the country in ruins and Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong captured, he resolutely spent his entire family fortune to recruit 3,000 volunteer soldiers in Putian. Soon after, he set off by waterway to march north and resist the Jin invaders. When their ships reached the outer waters of Xinghua Bay, dark clouds suddenly gathered, ferocious winds and huge waves tossed the vessels uncontrollably, putting them at risk of capsizing at any moment. The volunteer troops were all suffering from seasickness and vomiting. The situation was extremely critical. With no other options, Li Fu knelt before the statue of Mazu aboard the ship and prayed. Suddenly, the clouds parted, the sun shone, and the sea calmed. They continued their journey north. En route, Li Fu heard that the Song general Han Shizhong was besieged in a city by the Jin forces led by Zhan Han, and was running out of food. He immediately led his volunteer troops by water to break through the siege. With the supplies, Han Shizhong held out until reinforcements arrived. Together, they launched a combined attack and forced the Jin troops to flee in defeat. Upon returning triumphantly, Han Shizhong reported the incident to the emperor. Emperor Gaozong bestowed upon Li Fu the title of “Ganban of the Hall Front Unified Command Department.” Li Fu specially petitioned to return home, where he built the Mazu Palace on the islet and enshrined the statue of Mazu from the ship in the palace.

In the pond, there is the Palace-Back Stone Bridge built in the fourth year of the Jingding era of the Song Dynasty (1263), as well as the Pagoda Bridge. There are also newly built pavilions adorned with poetic couplets: the “Autumn Moon Pavilion” with the inscription “Equally Sharing Autumn’s Beauty, Heaven Shows No Favoritism; A Perfect Night, the Moon Reveals Its Affection,” the “Moon-Reflecting Pavilion” with “Many Times We Raised Our Cups, Life Lasts a Hundred Years; One Pond Mirrors the Moon, a Scene Surpassing the Three Pools,” and the “Moon-Embracing Pavilion” with “Li Bai Reciting Poems on the Western River, Boarding a Boat; Su Shi Roaming the Red Cliffs, Embracing the Moon.” These three classic-style pavilions each contribute uniquely to the splendor of the “Autumn Moon over White Pond.”

The cultural landscape of White Pond complements its natural scenery. Villages around the pond such as Yangwei, Zhenqian, and Shangwu have produced many successful imperial examination candidates and court officials throughout history. For example, in Li’jiao Natural Village of Yangwei alone, during the Song Dynasty, there were 35 jinshi (successful imperial examination candidates), 1 shihe jinshi (newly appointed scholars), 2 zhu jinshi (various scholars), and 13 tezou jinshi (specially recommended scholars); in the Ming Dynasty, 12 jinshi, 13 suijinshi (yearly scholars), 1 lijinshi (example scholars), 3 fu jinshi (attached scholars), and 2 you jinshi (outstanding scholars)—among them, Renjie was the Tanhua (third-place scholar) in the Chenghua Year of the Renchen reign, and Tingwu became the Huguang Censor and later promoted to Left Attendant of the Dali Temple. In the Qing Dynasty, there was 1 civil examination candidate and 8 martial examination candidates, among them Dianchen, who served as the Commander-in-Chief of Haitan. Photo by Xu Xueshi