Dongyuan Pavilion

Dongyuan Pavilion

Dongyuan Pavilion is a cultural relic protection unit of Anfu County.

It was built by Liu Wuzhen of the Later Jin Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, Zhang Sheng abandoned his official post to cultivate immortality here, using herbal medicine to treat the illnesses of local people. In gratitude, Peng Meisou, a local resident, built this pavilion in his honor. In the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1858), the Taiping Army attacked Anfu County and set the pavilion ablaze. The existing “Dongyuan Pavilion” was rebuilt in the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign (1866) through donations from the entire county on the ruins of the original. The “Dongyuan Pavilion” has two stories, stands 12 meters tall, is 14 meters wide, and covers an area of nearly 200 square meters. It is built with brick and wood, featuring upturned eaves and a hip-and-gable roof in a single-slope style, with fish-shaped ornaments and gourd finials topping the ridges. Each of the second-floor sides has a surrounding corridor. From the height, one can gaze into the distance—Mount Wugong looms faintly through the sea of clouds, while below, the Husui River winds its way with fishing boats dotting the waters and bamboo rafts lined up in rows. Looking around, the scenic beauty of the mountain town unfolds in full view, with the soaring Dongshan Wen Tower particularly picturesque. No wonder the renowned writer Du Xuan, who spent several years in Anfu as a youth, was so enchanted that he didn’t want to leave. In his memoirs written in his later years, he repeatedly mentioned the beauty of Anfu’s landscapes and his fond memories of playing on Dongyuan Pavilion. He even expressed a desire to revisit the pavilion, but due to his advanced age and health issues, he never got the chance, something he lamented.

In front of Dongyuan Pavilion is a well called “Qingjing Yuan,” known for its pure and sweet water. Legend has it that the beams used to construct the pavilion were magically retrieved from the water by a Taoist priest. Though the story may not be credible, it attests to a lesser-known chapter in the pavilion’s history.

On either side of the pavilion lies a Y-shaped ancient street, at the end of which is a suspension bridge. It is said that in the past, there was a thousand-jin iron ox on each end of the bridge to subdue the river—now long buried in silt and lost to history. This bridge is also called Jixian Bridge. Legend has it that on the night the bridge was completed, the sounds of gongs and drums echoed ceaselessly. When townsfolk went up to the bridge the next morning, they found the name “Lü Dongbin” boldly written across it.

Pingdu Town: As the seat of Anfu County government, Pingdu Town is the political, economic, and cultural center of the county. The town covers a total area of 78.2 square kilometers, with 28,725 mu of arable land, 53,100 mu of forested area, and a population of 76,000. It administers 19 administrative villages, 155 villager groups, and 142 natural villages. The town boasts historical sites and scenic spots such as the Confucius Temple, Dongshan Wen Tower, Dongyuan Pavilion, and Lianfang Nunnery. It has been a cradle of talent throughout history, producing notable figures such as Wang Tingwangui, Ouyang Bijin, and Wang Zaoshi.

The Pingdu Town Party Committee and government firmly uphold the concept of scientific development. Centered around initiatives such as “opening up to strengthen the town...” More detailed information about Pingdu Town ++

Further reading:

· The Second Batch of County-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Anfu County