The Imperial Book Pavilion

The Imperial Book Pavilion

The Imperial Book Pavilion is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Imperial Book Pavilion: Also known as the Bible Pavilion or the Imperial Edict Tower. Originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty, the current structure was renovated in the 54th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1715) by Ye Qian, the prefect of Nankang, and Mao Deqi, the county magistrate. At the center of the second floor is a vertical plaque inscribed with “Imperial Book Pavilion.” Over time, the pavilion housed imperial books bestowed by Emperor Gaozong of Song upon Zhu Xi’s request, including the “Commentaries and Explanations to the Nine Classics,” “The Analects,” and “Mencius”; in the 25th year of the Kangxi reign (1686), additional books such as the “Commentaries and Explanations to the Thirteen Classics,” “Twenty-One Histories,” “The Ancient Prose Repository,” and the “Complete Works of Zhu Xi” were bestowed by the emperor. Outside the pavilion, there is a couplet on the pillars that reads: “The clear spring is fit to wash inkstones; the beautiful mountain is good to conceal books.” After the failure of the Great Revolution in 1927, Comrade [name redacted] came here from Wuhan to engage in revolutionary activities and resided in the Imperial Book Pavilion. In August 1959, Chairman [name redacted] revisited the White Deer Grotto and pointed to the scripture depository, saying: “I once stayed here; there used to be quite a few books up there.”