The Nafeng Shrine

The Nafeng Shrine

The Nafeng Shrine is a cultural tourism attraction.

Originally named the Zeng Gong Shrine, it is located on the northeastern shore of Daming Lake, north of the Huibo Tower, and was built in honor of the Northern Song Dynasty literary figure Zeng Gong. Zeng Gong (1019–1083), courtesy name Ziguo, passed the imperial examination during the Jiayou era of the Northern Song Dynasty. A native of Nafeng, Jiangxi, he was widely known as "Mr. Nafeng" and served as a Hanlin Academician. From the fifth to the sixth year of the Xining era (1072–1073), he served as the Prefect of Qizhou. During his tenure, he advocated for water conservancy projects, curbed the power of local despots, and earned great popularity among the people. He was skilled in poetry and prose and was one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties. His notable works include Yuanfeng Leigao, Xu Yuanfeng Leigao, and Longping Ji. The exact year of the shrine’s initial construction is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the ninth year of the Daoguang era (1829) by Tang Shipei, the magistrate of Licheng County, consisting of only three main halls. In the early years after the liberation, it was merged with the nearby Yan Gong Temple (which enshrined the water deity Yan Xuzi; the temple itself was destroyed, leaving only the platform, now called Yan Gong Terrace) dedicated to the water god Yan Xuzi, and the Zhang Gong (Yao) Shrine built in the twelfth year of the Guangxu era (1886) by the Shandong Governor Zhang Yao. Together, they were renamed the Nafeng Shrine.

The current shrine is a tranquil and elegant classical-style garden, covering a total area of 2,535 square meters, and consists of structures such as the main hall, theater stage, waterside pavilion, and corridors. To the north is the main hall, featuring a southern veranda, half-height latticed windows, and a couplet hanging from the pillars: “A beacon of literature from the Northern Song, the name Nafeng belongs to the master.” To the south and west of the main hall stands a tall theater stage. The interior has two levels, with the stage on the southern side and seating areas filling the remaining space. In the past, there was a teahouse where visitors could enjoy tea while watching performances. Opposite the hall, near the lakeshore, there is a three-room waterside pavilion surrounded by corridors, with water on the east, west, and north sides, and lotus flowers planted inside, making it an ideal spot for enjoying the scenery. To the east of the hall lies the Yan Gong Terrace, originally built in the late Ming Dynasty, which houses the “Mingchang Bell Pavilion” constructed in 1993. It features eight pillars and a double-eaved roof with a precious top. The pavilion holds an ancient bell weighing 8,000 kilograms, cast during the Mingchang era (1190–1196) of the Jin Dynasty, originally housed in the bell tower temple on the southern lakeshore. To the east lies a small stream, bordered by dense groves of bamboo forming a natural fence. The courtyard is lush with flowers and shaded by green willows and cypresses.

In October 1987, the “Jianmen Calligraphy and Painting Gallery” was established in the north hall, displaying 26 treasured calligraphic works and 12 personal letters by Mr. Sun Mofu. Sun Mofu, also known as “Meiyuan” and nicknamed the “Old Man of Jianmen,” was originally from Laizhou, Shandong, and lived to be 104 years old. He followed Sun Yat-sen in the revolution for many years, was broad-minded, maintained personal integrity, and was indifferent to fame and wealth. In his early years, he studied calligraphy under Liu Datong and received guidance from renowned masters such as Wang Xu and Kang Youwei. In his later years, he studied Sun Guoting’s Calligraphy Manual from the Tang Dynasty, pouring his passion into his brushwork and using calligraphy to cultivate his spirit, forming a simple yet refined artistic style.

On the southern side of the Nafeng Shrine courtyard, near the lakeshore, there is a three-room waterside pavilion called the “Rain Lotus Hall,” featuring red pillars, carved windows, blue tiles, and upturned eaves. It is surrounded by corridors, with water on the east, west, and north sides, and lotus flowers planted inside. It is said that this was the spot where Emperor Qianlong met and fell in love with Xia Yuhe, a commoner girl, as depicted in the TV series “Princess Huanzhu.” To the south of the pavilion, the lake is covered with dense reeds and cattails, alive with jumping fish, chirping birds, rustling lotus leaves, and fragrant red blooms, creating a serene and picturesque scene. On a misty, drizzly day, sitting leisurely by the railing, gazing at the misty lake and listening to the rain tapping on the green lotuses, while letting your thoughts drift like a gentle breeze—imagining the legendary romance between Emperor Qianlong and Miss Yuhe by the shores of Daming Lake—adds even more charm to the experience.