Fuzhou Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall

Fuzhou Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall

Fuzhou Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall is a celebrity memorial established to commemorate Tang Xianzu, a great dramatist and litterateur of the Ming Dynasty in China. The hall was completed and opened to the public in October 1995. It is a cultural institution built on the foundation of the Tang Xianzu Exhibition Room in Fuzhou City, located at Quejiashan in the southern suburbs of Fuzhou. The hall includes departments such as the Mass Work Department, Garden Department, Business Department, and Office. In 2001, it was designated as a Jiangxi Provincial Patriotic Education Base.

Tang Xianzu (1550–1616), courtesy name Yiran, art name Ruoshi, also referred to himself as Qingyuan Daoren, was a native of Linchuan, Jiangxi. "The Peony Pavilion"

Tang Xianzu showed exceptional intelligence in his youth and gained literary fame in his early twenties. He passed the provincial examination in 1570 during the Longqing era and went to the capital for the metropolitan examination in 1577. However, due to his refusal to flatter the powerful and his opposition to Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, he failed the exams repeatedly. He finally passed the imperial examination in 1583 and held various positions including Doctor of the Imperial Academy in Nanjing, Clerk of the Crown Prince’s Cabinet, and Assistant of the Ministry of Rites. In 1591, he submitted a memorial titled "On the Imperial Ministers and Examination Officials" exposing political corruption, which led to his demotion. The following year, he served as Magistrate of Suichang in Zhejiang. During his five-year tenure, he earned a reputation for good governance, but eventually resigned and returned home in 1598 due to widespread political decay and unfulfilled ideals. After retiring, Tang turned his focus to writing operas, producing masterpieces such as "The Peony Pavilion," "A Dream Under the Southern Bough," "A Dream of Handan," and "The Purple Hairpin." These four plays, along with "The Purple Hairpin" written during his time in Nanjing, are collectively known as the "Four Dreams of Linchuan." These works strongly criticized feudal rites, exposed the malpractices of the Ming government, and captivated audiences for centuries with their intricate plots and vivid characters, gaining lasting fame both in China and abroad.

To commemorate this great dramatist and litterateur, the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall was built in 1992 and opened to the public in 1995. Covering an area of 180 acres, the complex consists of Four Dreams Village, Entertainment Village, and Holiday Village. Within Four Dreams Village, there are over 20 scenic spots including Qingyuan Tower, Samsara Bridge, Four Dreams Square, Jade Terrace, Screen Wall, Half Pavilion, Yuaipool, Cocoon-Breaking Mountain House, Mao Zedong's Calligraphy Stele, and Huangliang Restaurant. These sites not only artistically recreate scenes from Tang Xianzu’s four plays…

…"The Peony Pavilion," "The Purple Hairpin," "A Dream Under the Southern Bough," and "A Dream of Handan"—but also showcase Tang’s life, the legacy of the "Four Dreams of Linchuan," and his influence on global theater and Chinese literary history. Among them, Tang’s noble character, integrity as an official, and brilliant artistic achievements leave a profound impression. The entire memorial hall is rich in cultural meaning and serves as an excellent educational resource for patriotic education.

Basic Exhibits

Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall

The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall not only boasts deep cultural roots but also features an exceptionally beautiful environment. The site preserves a natural woodland state while also cultivating many economically valuable ornamental trees. Throughout the seasons, visitors can enjoy bird songs and fragrant flowers in spring, shaded groves in summer, bountiful fruits and plump fish in autumn, and proud snow-laden pines in winter. The hall also showcases Fuzhou’s forestry resources, featuring specialized gardens such as Magnolia Garden, Camellia Garden, Pine and Cypress Garden, Osmanthus Garden, and Peach Blossom Island. Rare national plants such as Torreya grandis, ginkgo, golden larch, and red maple have been introduced, making the site a kind of “municipal botanical garden” for Fuzhou’s forestry.

The main exhibition hall, Qingyuan Tower, is a two-story building modeled after Ming Dynasty architecture. The first floor houses exhibits that portray Tang Xianzu’s upright life and his timeless "Four Dreams of Linchuan" through paintings and photographs. The second floor is a theater stage—Sishimtai—where frequently performed excerpts from Tang’s “Four Dreams” allow visitors to appreciate the splendid culture and arts of Fuzhou amid melodious music.

Precious Collections

"Wenchang Tang Family Genealogy," revised in 1868 (the seventh year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty), is a wooden movable-type printed book bound in seven thread-bound volumes. The genealogy measures 37.2 cm in length, 22.4 cm in width, and 32.7 cm in height, and is complete and clearly preserved. The entire genealogy is housed in an exquisitely crafted genealogy box, with the words "Wenchang Tang Family Genealogy" engraved on the front.

Special Activities

To better leverage its strengths and integrate content from Tang’s works, the memorial hall regularly hosts popular activities for visitors during weekends and holidays, such as “Treasure Hunts, Garden Riddles, and ‘Hunting the Tiger’ on the Mountain.” These programs aim to provide an entertaining and educational experience for visitors.

Basic Information

Address: Mid-section of Wenchang Avenue, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province

Transportation: Bus routes 11, 22, 9, and 21

Ticket Price: Free

Opening Hours: Summer 8:30–17:30; Winter 8:30–17:00

Postal Code: 344000

Tang Xianzu (September 24, 1550 – July 29, 1616), a playwright and litterateur of the late Ming Dynasty in China. His courtesy name was Yiran, and his art names included Haibo and Qingyuan Daoren, later known as Ruoshi and Jianweng in his later years. A native of Linchuan, Jiangxi, he holds a significant place in both Chinese and world literary history. Gifted from childhood, he studied diligently and “excelled not only in classical literature but also in yuefu poetry, songs, and five- and seven-character verses. Beyond the various histories and philosophies, he was versed in astronomy, geography, medicine, divination, river management, Mohism, military strategy, metaphysics, and strange tales” (from Zou Diguang’s "Biography of Mr. Tang of Linchuan"). Not only did he love reading “non-mainstream…” More details on Tang Xianzu++

Further Reading:

· National Third-Class Museum of China