Octagonal Well

Octagonal Well

According to historical records, there was an octagonal well located northeast of the ancient city of Jizhou. Built during the Qiande era (963–973) of the Northern Song Dynasty, the well became silted up over time. In the sixth year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1470), Magistrate Hu Ying had it repaired. In the fifth year of the Zhengde reign (1510), Magistrate Liu Zhui renovated the well again, constructing a pavilion above it and building walls around the area. The well has a diameter of nine feet five inches and a depth of twenty-one feet, with octagonal walls. It features a smaller inner well and has never dried up even during prolonged droughts. Its water is exceptionally clear, mirroring stars and the moon like a looking glass—thus earning the name “Ancient Well Reflecting the Stars.” The Ming poet Yang Xu wrote a verse describing the scenery around the Octagonal Well:

A marvel of eight sides, hard to match in grace, People cheer for water drawn from this cool place.

Through three bamboo poles its depths things plainly show, Like a round mirror, its frame reflects all below. Rain feeds moss gems, whose wet traces softly gleam, Moonlight on phoenix trees casts shadows in dream. Drilled in Qiande’s days, long lost yet still profound, It once brought benefits both far and around. The well was later abandoned, and its ruins are located 100 meters southeast of the ancient site of Zhulin Temple, northeast of Beiguan Village in the old city. Part of the well shaft remains, but due to the rising waters of Hengshui Lake, the site is now submerged. The “Eight Scenic Spots of Jizhou” were poetic subjects celebrated by scholars and literati who visited the city throughout history. Old records include many poems reflecting on the scenery of Jizhou, many of which were titled “Eight Poems on Jizhou,” demonstrating the area’s historic beauty. As time passed, most of these scenic spots faded away with the years, leaving us to imagine the splendor and charm of ancient Jizhou only through the verses of poets.

Exact Location: Northeast of the ancient city of Jizhou

Transportation: Take a special bus within the city to the ancient city of Jizhou