Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain

Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain

The "Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain" is located within the Longhu Mountain Scenic Area in Yingtan City. It mainly includes eight cultural relics: the Sancheng Hall, Private Gate, Gongbao Mansion, Guangyuan Zhai, Renjing Zhenren Stele, Large Bronze Bell, and Lingquan Well in the Sizheng Tian Shi Mansion, as well as the Dongyin Courtyard in the Shangqing Palace. These structures date back to the Southern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

The Sancheng Hall is the most completely preserved post-and-lintel wooden structure in the Sizheng Tian Shi Mansion. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the "6th year of the Tongzhi reign of the Great Qing" (1867), it features a Jiangnan-style courtyard layout, facing south to north. It consists of a front hall, rear hall, central hall, and east and west wing rooms, covering an area of nearly 1,000 square meters. It served as the residence of generations of Celestial Masters. The hall houses thick pillars and well-preserved Ming Dynasty stone Sumeru pedestals.

The Gongbao Mansion is located slightly west of the center of the Sizheng Tian Shi Mansion. Originally built in the late Ming Dynasty, it is a Huizhou-style residential building. The term "Gongbao" refers to the collective title bestowed upon the 50th Celestial Master, Zhang Guoxiang, who was granted the honorary title of "Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince" during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Adjacent to the Gongbao Mansion is the Guangyuan Zhai, also a Huizhou-style building constructed in the late Ming Dynasty. It has long served as the dining hall for Taoist practitioners in the Tian Shi Mansion and visiting guests.

The Renjing Zhenren Stele is located about 30 meters east of the Gongbao Mansion. Carved from bluestone, the entire stele inscription was composed and written by Zhao Mengfu, a great calligrapher of the Yuan Dynasty, under imperial decree. It was erected in the 2nd year of the Zhi Zheng era (1322) of Emperor Yingzong of Yuan, under the decree of Wu Quanjie, the successor master of the Celestial Master Zhang Liusun’s disciples, the Xuanjiao Sect. It has a history of over 670 years. In 1959, it was designated as a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government.

The Large Bronze Bell is housed in a protective pavilion on the eastern side of the Yi Gate. This bell was cast in Hangzhou in the 11th year of the Zhizheng era (1351) of the Yuan Dynasty by the 40th Celestial Master of the Zhengyi Sect, Zhang Sidé, the Xuanjiao Sect’s Grand Master Wu Quanjie, along with Dai Yongjian, the head of the Shangqing Palace, and Gong Détóng, the supervisor of the palace. It has a history of over 640 years. As an important ritual instrument of Taoism, it has been used by generations of Celestial Masters. In 1959, it was listed as a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government.

The Lingquan Well, also known as the "Dan Well" or "Fashui Well," is located at the base of the steps in front of the Jade Emperor Hall. It was excavated by the 35th Celestial Master, Zhang Keda, in the 3rd year of the Baoqing era (1225) of the Southern Song Dynasty. The well is 7x7x4x9 zhang deep. "Water is the foundation of Taoism," and it has served as the water source for generations of Celestial Masters to conduct rituals and for daily consumption.

The Dongyin Courtyard is situated on the eastern side of the Shangqing Palace complex on Longhu Mountain. It is a renowned Taoist temple and the only surviving Qing Dynasty structure in the Shangqing Palace. The architecture has a simple and classic style. Outside the courtyard wall are historic sites such as the “Well of Good and Evil” and the “Divine Tree.”

Longhu Mountain is the birthplace of Taoism in China. The "Ancient Architectural Complex of Longhu Mountain" holds particularly significant cultural heritage value.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units