Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion

Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion

Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion, also known as Kuixing Tower, is located in Qingcheng Town, Gaoqing County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. It was originally an ancient site for worshipping the God of Literature, Wenchang Dijun. According to the 1991 edition of the Gaoqing County Annals, in the first year of the Qianlong reign (1736 AD), 64 civil and military examination candidates raised funds to build a "Literature Platform" at the crossroads of Qingcheng; in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign (1756 AD), Wenchang Pavilion was completed; and in the 21st year of the Daoguang reign (1841 AD), Zhang Weiyuan, the magistrate of Qingcheng, donated funds and worked with local gentry to renovate the pavilion.

Wenchang Pavilion is a structure of Chinese Taoist architecture. The deity worshipped here, Wenchang Dijun, also known as "Wenqu Star" or "Literature Star," is a god in ancient Chinese mythology who presides over scholarly achievements and official ranks. Later, this belief was adopted by Taoism. In the past, it was mainly worshipped by intellectuals, who believed it could safeguard their academic success. In the third year of the Yuan Emperor Renzong's reign (1316 AD), when the Zitong Emperor was posthumously honored as the "Auxiliary Yuan Enlightening Wenchang Managing Merit Grand Benevolence Emperor," the two were merged into one. For these reasons, feudal scholars throughout the dynasties revered the deity. In traditional Chinese culture, Wenchang is honored alongside Guan Yu as the "Two Sages of Literature and Martial Arts." The rituals for worshipping Wenchang Dijun are similar to those for Guan Yu, with grand ceremonies held in spring and autumn each year. On these occasions, county officials led their subordinates, local gentry, and examination candidates, dressed in formal court attire, setting up ceremonial guards to perform nine kowtows, offering five sets of sacrificial items including "one bolt of silk, one ox, one sheep, one pig, five baskets of fruits, and ten each of beans and grain."

Qingcheng Town has a long history. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called Qingping Town. In the second year of the Tianxing reign of the Jin Dynasty (1233 AD), Qingping County was established, later renamed Qingcheng County. In the first year of the Yuantong reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1333 AD), a circular city wall was built around Qingcheng, with a circumference of three li, walls over two zhang high, and a moat over one zhang deep. The city had four gates: Wanghai Gate to the east, Tongji Gate to the west, Yangdai Gate to the south, and Gongchen Gate to the north. Later, a small north gate called Ying'en Gate was built at the northeast corner of the wall, and a small south gate called Zhao Wen Gate at the southeast corner. In the 23rd year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1595 AD), a barbican was added. After multiple renovations during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Qingcheng gradually became a fully functional and well-organized ancient city. In the spring of 1896 (the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign), a flood prevention dike 5 meters wide and 3,411 meters in circumference was built outside the city, planted with peach and apricot trees. In spring, the fragrance of blossoms filled the air for miles around the city, creating a breathtaking scene. However, due to wars and neglect, the city walls gradually deteriorated. In March 1939, Japanese invaders occupied Qingcheng, building gun emplacements on the walls and installing barbed wire, causing severe damage to the town. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Qingcheng served as the seat of the Gaoqing County Party Committee and County Government, later becoming the location for the Qingcheng District, Commune, and Town Government. The Qing (Yun) – Zi (Chuan) Road runs north-south and is the terminus of the Guang (Bei Farm) – Qing (Cheng) Road.

Wenchang Pavilion is a street-crossing building, constructed over the central cross street of ancient Qingcheng County. Its base is square, 2.1 zhang high, with sides 3.25 zhang long, built from large blue bricks. The lower part of the base features a cross-shaped arched gateway, 1.2 zhang wide and 1.6 zhang high, connecting the four streets leading to the east, west, south, and north city gates. On both sides of the southern archway are steps that turn upward. Above the base is a three-story wooden pavilion. The first floor is supported by columns with flying eaves; the second floor is a hidden level, with brick walls extending directly to the third floor. Each floor has a pyramidal roof adorned with dougong brackets, glazed tiles, and lifelike stone beasts along the ridges. Copper bells hang under the eaves, producing a crisp, pleasant sound when the wind blows. At the top sits a large, lead-gray wooden round finial. The entire pavilion is about 4.7 zhang high, with a meticulously crafted and grand structure. For students dreaming of achieving top honors in the imperial examinations, the Wenchang deity in the pavilion was their god of destiny. Legend has it that after one scholar succeeded in the exams and returned home in glory, he passed by Wenchang Pavilion on his way to ancestral worship and renamed it Kuixing Tower. Since then, Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion has also been affectionately known by this beautiful name.

Wenchang Pavilion is one of the "Eight Scenic Spots" of ancient Qingcheng County, known as "High Pavilion in Clear Sunset Glow." It stands in the center of the town surrounded by city walls, towering above clusters of buildings shaded by green trees. When you look up, the pavilion appears even more majestic and imposing under the radiant sky of sunset clouds. Visitors ascending the pavilion and leaning on the railings can fully appreciate the beauty of the "High Pavilion in Clear Sunset Glow." In late spring, smoke rises gently from village houses, and across the vast fields, men plow and women sow, presenting a lively scene of vitality. In mid-autumn, farmers harvest golden crops, offering a view of abundant harvests. On clear and sunny days, looking south you can see Huangshan and Qinglong Mountain in Zouping County, while to the north, you can count the distant sails on the mighty Yellow River.

After enduring long-term erosion by wind and rain, earthquakes, and damage from wars, by the mid-1940s, Wenchang Pavilion was left with cracked walls, broken tiles, faded paint, and appeared on the verge of collapse. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, to honor revolutionary martyrs, with approval from the Shandong Provincial Government, the democratic government of Qingcheng County allocated 120,000 Beihai yuan to convert Wenchang Pavilion into a Martyrs' Memorial Shrine, which was completed in 1946. A plaque inscribed with "Martyrs’ Shrine" hung in the center of the third floor, while the four directions of the first floor—northwest, southeast, etc.—were adorned with plaques inscribed with "Sacrificed for the Country," "Majestic as Mountains and Rivers," "Eternal Loyalty," and "Protecting the Nation and Its People," all carved in wood. The Martyrs’ Shrine displayed a stone tablet engraved with the names of 250 martyrs and an inscription jointly written by the Qingcheng County Party Committee, County Government, County Brigade, the United Construction Association of All Circles, and all the people. During the Cultural Revolution, Wenchang Pavilion suffered further damage. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, with the development of the rural economy, Wenchang Pavilion has been revitalized. In 1979, Gaoqing County designated Wenchang Pavilion and seven other sites as county-level key cultural relics protection units. In August 1981, the province allocated 10,000 yuan for the maintenance of Wenchang Pavilion. In 1992, the government of Gaotown organized another renovation. This project drew attention from overseas Chinese, who donated money and materials in support. To the hearts of overseas Chinese, Wenchang Pavilion is not only a symbol of Qingcheng but also of the motherland. No matter how far they go or how many years they spend away from home, their roots will always remain in this land.

Today, Wenchang Pavilion, now a key cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province, has been restored to its former glory, shining brilliantly as a beautiful landmark on the southern bank of the Yellow River and the northern plains of Shandong. Visiting Qingcheng Wenchang Pavilion, gazing up at the magnificent pavilion soaring above and overlooking the scenic beauty of the northern Shandong plains, is sure to offer a completely new experience.

Qingcheng Town: Located in the western part of Gaoqing County, Zibo City, Qingcheng Town borders the Yellow River and has historically been the seat of the county government and a major commercial hub. Covering an area of 78 square kilometers, it governs 111 administrative villages and a population of 35,000, and is classified as a provincial central town. In recent years, the town has consistently adhered to the overall strategy of "enhancing agriculture, strengthening private enterprises, invigorating circulation, and activating the tertiary sector," and has thoroughly implemented four major strategies: "structural adjustment, science and education to revitalize the town, private sector-led growth, and central town construction." As a result, the town's economy and social development have progressed rapidly.

Qingcheng Town has a thriving commerce and serves as the commercial center of western Gaoqing County, often referred to as the "... of Gaoqing County..." (details continued)

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

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