Sun Tang Memorial Hall in Junan

Sun Tang Memorial Hall in Junan

The world’s largest iron meteorite  Famous Ming Dynasty anti-Wokou hero Sun Tang was from Tieniu Temple in Pingshang Town, Junan County. During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, he sacrificed his life resisting Wokou pirates and was posthumously honored with an imperial edict by the emperor. A memorial hall was built in his hometown to enshrine the imperial decree. The main hall houses a grand statue of Sun Tang, with walls adorned by a series of murals depicting his heroic deeds against the Wokou; more than 80 stone tablets stand along the sacred path outside the hall.

In the courtyard stands a massive celestial visitor, 140 cm long and weighing over 4 tons. Shaped like a reclining ox, it is regarded by locals as a sacred object from heaven—believed to be a heavenly ox that descended to Earth. A temple was erected to worship it, and the meteorite’s landing site came to be known as Tieniu Village (Iron Ox Temple Village). After examination by renowned experts including Professor Qiu Detong from Nanjing University, it has been confirmed to be the largest iron meteorite in the world, possessing significant scientific and aesthetic value. A memorial hall has now been constructed for its protection. The site is located at the intersection of the Lanji and Pingsuo highways.