Wu Xun Memorial Hall

Wu Xun Memorial Hall

Wu Xun Memorial Hall is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism destination.

Wu Xun Memorial Hall is a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit. It serves as the burial site of "China's Most Extraordinary Beggar" Mr. Wu Xun and is the main memorial site dedicated to Wu Xun and his spirit. Originally built in 1903, it was renovated in 1937 with funding allocated by He Siyuan, then the Director of Education of Shandong Province. The architecture and cultural relics are well preserved. An annual Wu Xun Free School Culture Festival held every November attracts a large number of tourists. Major attractions include the Wu Xun Ancestral Hall, Wu Xun Tomb, Wu Xun Exhibition Room, Wu Xun Stele Corridor, Wu Xun Spirit Pavilion, Gaoge Platform, and Wu Xun Free School, among others.

The Wu Xun Ancestral Hall is the main structure within the Wu Xun Tomb complex. Upon entering the school gate, a hundred-meter-long pathway leads directly to the Wu Xun Ancestral Hall. The Wu Xun Ancestral Hall was constructed in 1937 with funding provided by He Siyuan, then the Director of Education of Shandong Province.

The Wu Xun Ancestral Hall is located in Liulin Town, Guan County. Wu Xun (1838–1896), born into a poor farming family in Wuzhuang Village, Liulin Town, Guan County, endured poverty from a young age. Due to his illiteracy, he suffered constant humiliation, which inspired him to vow never to marry, have children, or acquire property, but instead “build a free school for the poor.” Starting at the age of 20, he took on odd jobs, collected scrap, and begged along the streets, singing as he went. After 30 years of extraordinary effort, he managed to purchase over 200 acres of land and save more than 2,000 strings of cash, with which he built his first free school, the Chongxian Free School, in Liulin. This remarkable act caused a sensation both at court and among the people, earning Wu Xun the title of “China’s Most Extraordinary Beggar,” widespread fame, recognition and commendation from the Qing court, and even an entry in the national historical records.

Having achieved great success, Wu Xun remained committed to his mission, continuing to beg in order to establish schools. During his lifetime, he also founded two additional free schools in Yang’erzhuang, Guantao County, and Yushi Lane, Linqing. Wu Xun’s spirit has been widely admired and emulated by later generations. The main structures include the Wu Xun Ancestral Hall and the Wu Xun Tomb. The Wu Xun Ancestral Hall was first built in 1903 with only three rooms.

In 1937, to commemorate Wu Xun, the renowned “People’s Educator” and “Champion of Free Schools” from the late Qing Dynasty, the Ancestral Hall was reconstructed with funding allocated by He Siyuan, then the Director of Education of Shandong Province. It was renovated again in May 1997. Behind the Ancestral Hall lies the Wu Xun Tomb, which was also renovated in June 1989. The Hall features a hip-and-gable roof style with brick and wood construction, consisting of five bays in width and three in depth, with soaring eaves and a solemn, dignified atmosphere.

On December 5, 1896, Wu Xun passed away at the Yushi Lane Free School he had established in Linqing. After his death, he was buried just outside the eastern wall of the Chongxian Free School where he had built his first school—that is, the current site of his tomb. To the north of the tomb is the Exhibition Room, which displays Wu Xun’s life story and related cultural relics. In September 1995, a 100-meter stele corridor was erected in front of the Ancestral Hall, featuring 26 stone tablets; to the right front of the Ancestral Hall stands the Gaoge Platform, also known as the “Yingming Platform,” and to the left front is the “Wu Xun Spirit Pavilion,” whose plaque was inscribed by the eminent scholar Ji Xianlin.

Wu Xun’s Tomb

After Wu Xun passed away in the Yushi Lane Free School in Linqing, in accordance with his will, he was buried in a simple coffin beside the eastern side of the Chongxian Free School in Liulin. In 1937, He Siyuan, then the Director of Education of Shandong Province, oversaw its renovation into a cement tomb; it was further renovated into its current state in 1989. The tomb is 2 meters high with a circumference of 10 meters, and in front of it stands a stele inscribed with “Tomb of Mr. Wu Xun” by Xu Yunbei.

Wu Xun Ancestral Hall

The Wu Xun Ancestral Hall was first built in 1903 with only three rooms. In 1937, He Siyuan oversaw its reconstruction to its current scale, and it was renovated again in 1989. The Hall features a hip-and-gable roof style with brick and wood construction, consisting of five bays in width and three in depth, with soaring eaves and a solemn, dignified atmosphere. The courtyard is shaded by dense pines and cypresses, with willows and poplars lining the outer walls, and a clear stream winding around the outside of the compound, known as the “Wu River.” The entire Ancestral Hall complex enjoys a refreshing environment that is truly delightful.

Hundred-Meter Stele Corridor

The stele corridor was built in 1995, stretching 140 meters in length with 26 stone tablets erected on either side. These tablets bear inscriptions from notable figures of modern times such as Feng Yuxiang and Guo Moruo for Mr. Wu Xun, as well as messages from prestigious institutions including Beijing Normal University and East China Normal University. The corridor stretches from the memorial archway at the entrance of the Wu Xun Ancestral Hall to the platform in front of the Hall. Each stone tablet is encircled by boxwood and flanked by verdant cypresses, creating a magnificent sight. Visitors can here pay tribute to the noble character of the honorable Wu Xun while also appreciating the diverse styles of calligraphy.

Twin Sights of Pavilions and Platform

Strolling along the Hundred-Meter Stele Corridor, visitors will see a pavilion and a platform standing proudly on either side, forming the charming Twin Sights of Pavilions and Platform.

The Gaoge Platform, also known as the Yingming Platform, is located to the west of the stele corridor. The platform is shaped like a plum blossom and built from carved bluestone. It stands 18.38 meters tall. The name “Yingming Platform” was inscribed by the renowned sociologist Fei Xiaotong, taken from the line in the Book of Songs, “The little birds chirp, seeking their companions’ voices.” It symbolizes raising a voice to promote the spirit of Wu Xun and calling for like-minded friends from all walks of life. This platform commemorates individuals who made outstanding contributions to promoting Wu Xun’s spirit, including Tao Xingzhi, Feng Yuxiang, He Siyuan, Guo Moruo, Sun Zhijun, Li Shizhao, Sun Yu, and Zhao Dan. Among them, Sun Zhijun and Li Shizhao were the authors of Illustrations of Wu Xun’s Life; Sun Yu was the screenwriter of the film The Life of Wu Xun; and Zhao Dan was the celebrated actor who played Wu Xun in the movie.

The Wu Xun Spirit Pavilion is located to the east of the stele corridor. It was funded and built in 1995 by Mr. Wang Haiting from Hong Kong. The pavilion features an imposing octagonal stone stele inscribed with Wu Xun’s mission in establishing schools, as well as the Wu Xun School-Building Song written by Ren Jiyu, the Director of the National Library of China. The base of the stele is a carved lotus, symbolizing Wu Xun’s noble character of “rising unstained from the mud.” The plaque of the “Wu Xun Spirit” Pavilion was inscribed by the eminent Chinese scholar Ji Xianlin.

Wu Xun’s Former Residence

Located 2.5 kilometers west of Liulin Town in Wuzhuang Village. There is a stone tablet inscribed with “Former Residence of Mr. Wu Xun” by the artist Wu Zuoren. This site is the ancestral home of Mr. Wu Xun and is currently managed and inhabited by the descendants of Wu Qian, Wu Xun’s eldest brother.

Wu Xun (1838–1896) was from Wuzhuang Village, Xianyi County (now part of Liulin Town, Guan County). He became famous in the late Qing Dynasty for “founding schools through begging.” Born into a poor farming family, he was the seventh child among his siblings, hence his childhood name “Wu Qi” (Wu Seven). His name “Xun” was conferred upon him as an honor by the Qing court.

Wu Xun lost his father at the age of seven and begged along the streets with his mother. At around fifteen or sixteen, after his mother died, he worked as a servant for a distant uncle, Zhang Ju. When it came time to collect his wages, Zhang Ju, taking advantage of Wu Qi’s illiteracy, cheated him with falsified accounts in order to withhold his hard-earned money. When Wu Qi protested slightly, he was severely beaten and fell ill, foaming at the mouth (earning him the nickname “Wu Dou…” More details about Wu Xun++)

Liulin Town: Located in the northeastern part of Guan County, Liulin Town is the hometown of China’s most extraordinary beggar—Mr. Wu Xun. It governs 50 administrative villages, has a population of 50,000, covers a total area of 70 square kilometers, and includes 75,000 mu of arable land. In 1998, it was honored as a “Famous Town of China” and is a historic and cultural town of distinction. In 2000, it was approved as a central town by the Shandong Provincial Government. The town is situated close to the Beijing-Kowloon Railway and Provincial Highway 329, with Provincial Highways 040 and the Gouma Road intersecting within its boundaries, giving it a superior geographical location and convenient transportation.

The town has a strong agricultural foundation. Vegetables, animal husbandry, peanuts, and fruit orchards are its main agricultural industries… More details about Liulin Town++