Zhongde Palace

Zhongde Palace

Zhongde Palace is a cultural heritage site protected by Fujian Province.

Zhongde Palace was originally located on the western slope of the northern extension of Jimu Mountain in the western part of Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, near a small river, backed by mountains and facing the sea. Devotees referred to it as the Temple of Da Gong. Later, for unknown reasons, the temple ceased worship activities dedicated to Da Gong, hence it came to be known as the Old Temple; the river in front of the temple was called the Old Temple River. According to legend, the statue of Da Gong was enshrined in Zhongde Palace around the years of the Chenghua era (1455–1487) during the Ming Dynasty. After the original Zhongde Palace ceased operations, residents living in what is now Neicuoao Road (Neicuo’ao Road) and Jishan Road raised funds to build a new Zhongde Palace on the southeastern slope of what is commonly known as Wanzaiwei Mountain in the northwest of Gulangyu Island (currently at No. 373, Neicuo’ao Road). The original construction date is not recorded in historical texts. Zhongde Palace is a three-bay, two-courtyard structure with a construction area of about 78 square meters. Behind and to the right of the main hall are auxiliary rooms, and the entire palace is shaded by ancient banyan trees, offering a tranquil environment, with a total area of approximately 600 square meters. The central gate is topped with a horizontal stone beam inscribed with four characters: “Baosheng Dadi” (God of Medicine). Above it hangs a wooden plaque inscribed vertically with “Zhongde Palace.” On the stone pillars on both sides of the central gate are couplets that read: “A drop of water revives all life; the temple honors the land and promotes virtue” and “A thread of divine presence; the revered Emperor remains a true immortal.” A pair of exquisitely carved stone lions are placed on each side of the palace gate. Entering the gate leads to the worship hall, where a offering table is placed, and in front of the table is a large bronze incense burner, dedicated by devotee Zhuang Tianshang in 1992. Further inside is the Dragon-Tiger Well; the original walls on both sides were carved with images of dragons and tigers, hence the courtyard was called the Dragon-Tiger Well. The courtyard was once enclosed during previous renovations, but has been restored in the current reconstruction.

Address: No. 373, Neicuo’ao Road, Gulangyu Island, Siming District, Xiamen City

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: 10–20 minutes

Opening hours:

Open all day

Ticket information:

No admission fee.

Further reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected by Fujian Province