Ruzi Pavilion

Ruzi Pavilion

Ruzi Pavilion is named in honor of Xu Ruzi. His surname was Xu, given name Zhi, and courtesy name Ruzi (97–168 AD). A native of ancient Yuzhang (present-day Nanchang), he was a renowned scholar and virtuous gentleman of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Known for his vast knowledge and indifference to fame and wealth, he remained engaged in labor throughout his life, and has been celebrated through the ages as a “model of talent born from a land of splendor.” Legend has it that Chen Fan, the governor of Yuzhang, held Xu Zhi in such high esteem for his character that he specially reserved a special guest bed for him. The bed would be hung up when Xu was not there, and no one else was allowed to use it. This gave rise to the immortal line in Wang Bo’s famous essay “Preface to the Tengwang Pavilion”: “A land of talent and spirit where Xu Ruzi reclined on Chen Fan’s bed,” which has been celebrated as a timeless tale. Later generations built a memorial pavilion at Xu Zhi’s former residence to commemorate this virtuous man. Initially called “Ruzi Platform,” it went through multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction over history, enduring many trials. Historical records indicate that many dynasties, including those of the Three Kingdoms, Western Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song, either built or rebuilt it, renaming it successively as “Pinqing Pavilion” and “Si Xian Pavilion,” until it finally became known as Ruzi Pavilion, the name it retains to this day.

Ruzi Pavilion was first built in 1979, designed around the lake with the towering Ruzi Pavilion as its centerpiece. It officially opened to the public on October 1, 1984. In addition to restoring historical sites such as Ruzi Pavilion, Ruzi Tomb, and the Stele Corridor, the park also features other scenic spots suitable for leisure and sightseeing, such as the “Fish Viewing Corridor” and “Lotus Appreciation Pavilion,” in keeping with the park's characteristics. From atop Ruzi Pavilion, visitors can take in the full view of the shimmering lake. Boats glide gently across the water, while the lakeside bursts with blooming flowers and willows in verdant green. The renowned “Xu Pavilion among Misty Willows,” one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Yuzhang,” captivates visitors, transporting them to a fairyland-like realm. In recent years, the park has added new amenities such as tea houses, sports courts, and bird and pet markets, attracting thousands of visitors.

Ruzi Pavilion and the “Misty Willows at Xu Pavilion” are historic landmarks and scenic attractions of Nanchang. To revive the glory of these historic sites and enhance the charm of these beautiful views, we will continue to draw on the successful management experience of scenic areas across the country, striving to develop Ruzi Pavilion Park into an even more uniquely styled destination—the best place for leisure, entertainment, and recreational activities.

Willow Haze: Ruzi Pavilion Park in Nanchang

Ruzi Pavilion is located on West Lake in downtown Nanchang. It was once the fishing retreat of Xu Zhi, a Han Dynasty scholar. During the Southern Tang Dynasty, a platform known as the Scholar’s Platform (also called “Ruzi Platform”) was built here. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was established as the Scholar’s Shrine. During the Jiajing era, Xu Zhang built a pavilion north of the shrine to honor his ancestor, Xu Ruzi. The pavilion was pushed into the lake by Japanese invaders during the war and was left in ruins, with only its framework remaining. In 1980, as part of the West Lake renovation and park development project, the ruined pavilion was demolished and rebuilt. In October 1983, the new pavilion was completed. It is a double-eaved hexagonal pointed-top structure, nestled by rippling lake waters and rockeries, with willows shrouded in mist, recreating the scenery of the “Misty Willows at Xu Pavilion,” one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Yuzhang.”

Location

No. 58, West Lake Road, West Lake District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province