Hometown of Wang Shizhen

Hometown of Wang Shizhen

The Hometown of Wang Shizhen is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The Hometown of Wang Shizhen Scenic Area mainly displays the Jiangbei Qingxiang and the former residence of a Minister, emphasizing the rich historical and cultural legacy of the Qingzhou-Wang clan from Xincheng, a distinguished family of the Qi-Lu region during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence has restored 108 buildings from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, and on the basis of meticulous exploration, some original structures have been reinstated, creating a cultural and leisure plaza of over 4,000 square meters. Supporting facilities such as a visitor center, shopping mall, and research center are fully equipped. The Zhongqin Ancestral Hall has been revitalized through upgrades, enhancing its thematic educational functions with comprehensive supporting amenities. In April 2015, the Hometown of Wang Shizhen Scenic Area was officially approved as a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

The Hometown of Wang Shizhen Scenic Area mainly includes Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence, the Four Generations Palace Guardians Archway, and the Zhongqin Ancestral Hall.

Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence was expanded and renovated in 1685 (the 24th year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty) by Wang Shizhen on the site of the Changchun Garden built by his great-grandfather Wang Zhiyuan. It has a history of over 300 years. Over these three centuries, the residence has endured fires, wars, and multiple renovations, with its garden in the northwest completely vanished. It was later restored by the local government in 1984 and opened to the public in 1986. The plaque above the south gate of Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence, inscribed with “The Orthodox Master of a Generation,” was written by Emperor Kangxi. Upon entering the south gate, the space suddenly opens up to a wide, straight flagstone path extending northward. To the left of the path lies a tranquil and unique garden, and at the end of the path is the main area of Wang Shizhen’s residence. From east to west, there are four main gates, corresponding to the original layout area, the biography exhibition area, the ancestral worship area, and the garden area of Wang Shizhen’s residence. Between the gates of the original layout area and the biography exhibition area stands a themed sculpture of Wang Shizhen. His literary achievements as the master of refined poetry almost overshadowed his political accomplishments. The original layout area, located in the eastern courtyard, features typical Ming and Qing architectural styles and consists of five well-preserved courtyards, making it one of the best-maintained sections of the residence. The plaque hanging above the gate reads “Residence of Wang Shizhen, Minister of Justice and Lecturer at the Imperial Study,” dignified and imposing. Facing the entrance is a screen wall inscribed with Emperor Kangxi’s calligraphy “Qing Shen Qin” (Purity, Caution, Diligence). Passing the gatehouse, there are two pathways inside: going straight leads to a long alley that widens at the entrance and narrows inward, symbolizing wealth and fortune “entering wide and exiting narrow,” representing the gathering of wealth. In feudal society, class consciousness was strong, and this alley was typically a service passage for servants. Turning left through a garden gate leads to the first courtyard along the central axis of the middle and eastern courtyards. To proceed further into the first courtyard, one must pass through a floral-pendant gate. Located along the central axis of the main courtyard, the floral-pendant gate marks the boundary between the inner and outer sections of the residence, with meticulously crafted “hemp-leaf beam heads and lotus-flower pillars.” In ancient wealthy households, young women were said to “never leave the gate, never cross the second gate,” with the “second gate” referring to the floral-pendant gate. Inside the floral-pendant gate is a spacious area, constituting the second courtyard of the residence, commonly believed to be where female family members bid farewell to relatives and friends. Passing through the hallway leads to the third courtyard, and further in is a screen door. The west wing room served as Wang Shizhen’s study, named “Xingu Zhai” (Believe in Antiquity Studio), a plaque bestowed upon him by Emperor Kangxi. After returning to his hometown, Wang Shizhen tirelessly wrote here, completing multiple works including his autobiographical chronicle and the “Yuyang Poetry Talks.” The “Shoujing Lu” (Hand Mirror Record) is a set of official admonitions Wang Shizhen wrote for his son who served as an official. The main hall of the residence, called Chenhan Tang (Imperial Calligraphy Hall), is situated along the central axis of the fourth courtyard. It is the largest and highest-ranking building, where Wang Shizhen lived. In his later years, he resided in this courtyard until he fell bedridden, still dictating to his sons and disciples to compile his lifelong collection of poetry and prose, the “Daijing Tang Ji” (Collected Works from the Daijing Hall). The central hall consists of three bays, with one side chamber on each east and west side. A large screen hangs in the center of the hall, displaying a large calligraphy piece on white silk, a copy of Mi Fu’s calligraphy by Emperor Kangxi, inscribed in the 41st year of Kangxi’s reign (1702). The content reads: “Only look straight ahead; do not be confused by black and yellow. Do not gaze upon what is improper; let propriety be your model. Be cautious of what you behold, and thus your virtue will remain unblemished.” It broadly teaches people how to conduct themselves and was Emperor Kangxi’s encouragement and admonition regarding Wang Shizhen’s personal moral integrity. Above it hangs a plaque inscribed with “Qing Shen Qin,” also written by Emperor Kangxi in the 17th year of his reign (1678), meaning “Be clean and upright, cautious and thoughtful, diligent in governance.” Since ancient times, many politicians and thinkers regarded “Qing Shen Qin” as a maxim for official conduct, and Emperor Kangxi’s bestowal of this phrase to Wang Shizhen was the highest praise for his governance. Passing through the main hall leads to the fifth courtyard, where three rear chambers lie along the central axis of the main courtyard, corresponding to the southern-facing wing rooms. These were typically living quarters for female family members and underage children, furnished with musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and paintings. The Yujiang Ancestral Hall is the westernmost courtyard, featuring a theater, stage, rockery, and Jade Lake among other scenic beauties.

The Zhongqin Ancestral Hall is located in Xincheng Town, Huantai County, covering an area of 10,000 square meters with a construction area of 2,600 square meters. The site of the Zhongqin Ancestral Hall was originally built in 1588 (the 16th year of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty) to commemorate Wang Shizhen’s great-great-grandfather Wang Chongguang, dating back over 400 years. The entire complex is a brick-and-wood structure divided into two main courtyards—eastern and western—and retains the typical architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.

The site includes seven exhibition rooms and a stone carving garden. Among them, the stone carving exhibition room displays 185 carved stones rated Grade 3 or above at the national level; the Wang Shizhen Biography Exhibition Room provides a detailed introduction to Wang Shizhen’s life of continuous official service and poetic creation. The stone carving garden was built by integrating the eastern courtyard of the Zhongqin Ancestral Hall with ancient garden architecture. It features gardens within gardens and scenery within scenery. Two massive Taihu rocks—“Cangyun” (Dark Cloud) and “Zhenyu” (Vibrant Jade)—belonging to Zhang Yanghao, a Yuan Dynasty Ministry of Rites official and sanqu poet, as well as the national first-class stone carving “Shuiyue Songfeng” (Moonlit Pines and Wind), are also displayed in the garden for visitors to admire.

The Zhongqin Ancestral Hall was established and opened to the public on December 9, 1986. It was listed as a Provincial-Level Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1992, designated as an Outstanding Social Education Base of Shandong Province in 1995, and announced as one of the First Patriotic Education Bases of Shandong Province in 1998.

The “Four Generations Palace Guardians” Brick Archway is located at the northern end of Nan Village Street in Xincheng Town. It was built in 1619 (the 47th year of the Wanli reign in the Ming Dynasty). The archway commemorates Wang Xiangqian, a Minister of War during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and a native of Xincheng, along with his father Wang Zhiyuan (former Left Vice Minister of Revenue), grandfather Wang Chongguang (former Provincial Governor of Guizhou), and great-grandfather Wang Lin (former Professor at Yingchuan Prince’s Mansion). The inscription “Four Generations Palace Guardians” on the archway is said to have been written by the calligrapher Dong Qichang of that time.

The archway is entirely constructed of brick and stone. Its four bases are made of large square stones, with polished bricks forming a large central and two smaller arched gateways. There are four pairs of stone lions on the front and back of the gateways, all majestic and vividly shaped. The roof is of the hip-and-gable style, higher in the middle and lower on the sides, with flying eaves and brackets, and simple, classic tiles. The eight corners extend outward, each adorned with a wind bell. The body of the archway is decorated with exquisite brick carvings of mythical beasts, rare birds, exotic flowers, and immortal plants, all exquisitely crafted. The four relief figures in the central part of the archway are lifelike.

The entire archway is 9.2 meters wide, 15 meters high, and 3.3 meters deep, covering an area of 30 square meters. When the People’s Republic of China was founded, the archway had already suffered severe peeling and damage due to long-term neglect. In 1983, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture allocated special funds to fully restore it to its original appearance. In 1987, it was designated as a Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Aiming for AAAA-level scenic area standards, the Hometown of Wang Shizhen Scenic Area completed the restoration of ancient buildings and the design and arrangement of exhibitions over a period of four years. Currently, all hardware facilities are in place, service capabilities have significantly improved, the development of three major bases has been highly effective, and the area has earned widespread acclaim from all sectors of society.

On October 7, 2019, Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence was included in the eighth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Xincheng Town: Located in the southwestern part of Huantai County, Xincheng Town covers an area of 44.55 square kilometers, governs 40 administrative villages, and has a population of 36,000. It is traversed by the Binbo Expressway and provincial highways Gaozi Road and Shouji Road, enjoying developed transportation and a superior geographical location.

As the former site of the ancient county seat of Huantai County, Xincheng Town has a history of 722 years as a county administrative center. It is also the hometown of Wang Shizhen (Wang Shizhen), the leader of the Qing Dynasty poetry scene. The town has a documented history of 30 successful imperial examination candidates and 43 juren (successful candidates in the provincial examinations), boasts a rich cultural heritage, and is home to numerous cultural relics and historic sites. Within the town’s area are the Zhongqin Ancestral Hall, Wang Shizhen’s Former Residence, the Four Generations Palace Guardians Archway, the Duke Huan of Qi Horse Racing Grounds... More details about Xincheng Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level