Wang Anshi Memorial Hall

Wang Anshi Memorial Hall

The Fuzhou Wang Anshi Memorial Hall is a historical memorial dedicated to the renowned statesman, thinker, and literary figure Wang Anshi from China's Northern Song Dynasty. It was completed and opened to the public in November 1986.

The memorial hall spans 20 mu, with a building area of 1,560 square meters, and is built in the style of a classical Song Dynasty garden. The site harmoniously integrates elements such as a ceremonial gate, hidden walls, waterside pavilions, corridors, stele corridors, pavilions, lotus ponds, and winding bridges with the main building. The architectural design, featuring upturned eaves on hilly structures, cylindrical tiles, and latticed windows, along with a color scheme of gray-black and pure white, gives the entire complex an elegant, understated, solemn, and refined appearance. The site also includes scenic spots such as the “Bright Moon Pavilion,” “Tiger Garden,” “Magnolia Garden,” “Jinggong Pavilion,” and “Half Mountain Hall.”

The main building consists of a two-story exhibition hall that introduces the life and achievements of Wang Anshi. The first floor is divided into four sections: “Deep Affection for Hometown,” “Governance of Virtuous Prefectures,” “Jinggong’s New Learning,” and “Xining Reforms.” The second floor features four sections: “Literary Achievement,” “Humanistic Character,” “Later Years in Jinling,” and “Eternal Legacy.” The entire exhibition uses photographs, charts, traditional Chinese paintings, sculptures, and artifacts to showcase Wang Anshi’s life accomplishments, his boldness as a reformer, and his elegance as a literary figure. Among the exhibits are a replica of Wang Anshi’s personally handwritten copy of the *Essentials of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra*, written in the eighth year of the Yuanyou era, various editions of his works from different periods, as well as commentaries, writings, and research papers on Wang Anshi by scholars from China and abroad.

The memorial hall houses over 30 pieces of calligraphy and paintings donated by contemporary renowned artists such as Liu Haisu, Xiao Xian, Lai Shaoqi, Fang Zengxian, Shi Dawei, and Lu Yanshao. Zhao Puchu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a celebrated calligrapher, inscribed the name of the memorial hall.

The memorial hall receives numerous domestic and international visitors each year and has become a popular destination for sightseeing, education, cultural exchange, and fostering friendship. In 1994, it was designated by the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government as a “Jiangxi Provincial Patriotic Education Base.”

Wang Anshi, courtesy name Jiefu, also known as Banshan, was a native of Linchuan in the Song Dynasty. He was an outstanding statesman, thinker, and literary figure in Chinese history. Starting in the second year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, he initiated the historically significant reform movement known as the “Wang Anshi Reforms.” Lenin once praised him as the “reformer of the 11th century in China.”

As one of the ten major historical memorial hall projects in Jiangxi Province, the Wang Anshi Memorial Hall broke ground on September 12, 1985, and officially opened to the public on November 11 of the following year.

The architectural design of the memorial hall was created by the Nanjing Landscape Design Research Institute. Covering a site area of over 13,320 square meters and a building area of 1,560 square meters, it features the architectural characteristics of a traditional Southern Song Dynasty residence, including a prominent entrance gate and pavilion structure, while balancing both exhibition and visitor experience. The main building is a two-story pavilion styled after the Song Dynasty, with upturned eaves, cylindrical tiles, latticed windows, and symmetrical columns that present a dignified and balanced aesthetic. The layout of the auxiliary buildings complements the main structure, with each having a distinct form while harmonizing and enhancing one another. Though not grandiose, the dignified and simple ceremonial gate stands out due to the six large characters “Wang Anshi Memorial Hall” inscribed by Zhao Puchu, Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and a renowned calligrapher. Upon entering the gate, visitors are greeted by gracefully shaped hidden walls on either side. Ascending the pathway to the waterside pavilion, one finds willows swaying by the pond, fish darting through the water, and the soft melodies of classical music creating an ethereal atmosphere. The winding corridors and stele corridors connect...

The ceremonial gate, waterside pavilion, reception area, main building, and Jinggong Pavilion are seamlessly integrated to create a serene and thought-provoking environment. The Song Dynasty relics in the “Huaiwen Hall” offer visitors a glimpse into the artistic culture of their ancestors, while the rustic path leading to the “Thatched Pavilion” evokes memories of Wang Anshi’s reclusive life after stepping down from office.

The main building’s exhibition hall is divided into two floors and four sections. A concise “Introduction” outlines Wang Anshi’s background, family heritage, and activities during his youth. Under the section “Outstanding Statesman and Thinker,” the exhibition showcases his political achievements during his years as a local official, including his famous “Memorial to Emperor Renzong,” the “Three Insufficiencies Theory,” and the key components of the “Xining Reforms.” On the second floor, the focus is on Wang Anshi’s literary works, moral character, and personal integrity. His widely acclaimed prose and poetry have captivated generations of scholars, and his noble character earned the admiration even of his contemporaneous opponents. Calligraphy works by masters such as Liu Haisu, along with ten meticulously crafted sculptures of Wang Anshi by Professor Wang Dajin and his disciples, further enrich the museum’s poetic and artistic ambiance.

Address: No. 1085, Gandong Avenue, Linchuan District, Fuzhou City

Type: Memorial Hall

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Phone: 0794-8222249

Official Website: http://www.wanganshi.org/

Opening Hours:

9:00-17:00

Ticket Information:

Free admission.

Wang Anshi (December 18, 1021 – May 21, 1086), courtesy name Jiefu, also known as Banshan, posthumously honored with the title “Wen” and granted the title of Duke of Jingguo. He is also commonly referred to as Wang Jinggong. A native of Linchuan in the Northern Song Dynasty (present-day Shangchi Village, Dongxiang, Jiangxi), he was an outstanding statesman, literary figure, thinker, and reformer in Chinese history. As the Prime Minister of the Northern Song Empire and leader of the Reformist Faction, Ouyang Xiu praised him: “Three thousand poems of literary grace, two hundred years of prose mastery. In old age, your heart remains unyielding—who among the later generations can rival you?” His works, including *Collected Works of Wang Linchuan* and *Supplement to Collected Works of Linchuan*, have been preserved. He was also skilled in poetry and prose, with his most famous... More detailed information about Wang Anshi++