Qinglian Pavilion

Qinglian Pavilion

Qinglian Pavilion is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

Qinglian Pavilion is located on the west bank of the Si River, east of the city. Li Bai, who styled himself as the Hermit of Qinglian, often stayed here during his time in Yanzhou and left behind more than 30 famous poems. To commemorate him, later generations built Qinglian Pavilion here. The pavilion is a brick-and-wood structure, consisting of three bays across two stories in a tower-like style. It has a flush gable roof, with a front porch, and features wooden stairs and flooring inside. Its original construction date is unknown. It was renovated in 1522–1565 (during the Ming Jiajing era) by County Magistrate Li Zhimao, and again during the Qing Daoguang era by County Magistrate Feng Yunwan, who also inscribed a couplet on the pillars. The upper line reads: “In a moment of inspiration, I lean on the railing and ask, as the Si River flows endlessly, how is it different from the past?” The lower line reads: “I wish to compose a poem but lay down my brush—With the Master above, I dare not write.” The renowned poet Zhang Xingzi once wrote “The Completion of Qinglian Pavilion” to document the building’s completion. Feng Yunwan composed a couplet for the pavilion’s pillars, with the upper line: “In a moment of inspiration, I lean on the railing and ask, as the Si River flows endlessly, how is it different from the past?” and the lower line: “I wish to compose a poem but lay down my brush—With the Master above, I dare not write.” Qinglian Pavilion was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Jining City in 1985. According to the Yanzhou Government Document (2009) No. 28, the protected area extends 10 meters east, 30 meters west, 60 meters south, and 30 meters north from the outer edge. The construction control zone extends 50 meters outward from the boundary of the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

· First Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Jining City