Ancestral Temple of Chen Yuan Guang

Ancestral Temple of Chen Yuan Guang

The Ancestral Temple of Chen Yuan Guang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Ancestral Temple of Chen Yuan Guang, also known as the General’s Temple, is located in Chenji Village, Chenji Town, Gushi County, Xinyang City, Henan Province. It was built by descendants of the great Tang Dynasty general Chen Yuan Guang and renovated during the Jiaqing era (1796–1820) of the Qing Dynasty.

Chen Yuan Guang (657–711), courtesy name Tingju, art name Longhu, was originally from Gushi County, Henan. In the second year of the Zongzhang era (669), he followed his father, the Returning Virtue General Chen Zheng, leading Central Plains soldiers to Fujian to quell unrest. Soon after, Chen Yuan Guang’s grandmother, Lady Wei Jing, also led a reinforcement army to Fujian. After the death of Chen Zheng, Chen Yuan Guang inherited his father’s post, and later, due to his achievements, was appointed as the Grand Commander of Lingnan. Following the successive pacification of 36 mountain strongholds in Fujian and Guangdong, he expanded the territory, founded Zhangzhou, and became its first Prefect. During the development and governance of Zhangzhou, Chen Yuan Guang stationed troops around southern Fujian, cultivating land while fighting, integrating Han and local ethnic groups, implementing Tang-style education, spreading Central Plains culture, establishing schools, encouraging agriculture, supporting farmers, and facilitating commerce. These efforts transformed this once remote and uncivilized region between Fujian and Guangdong into an area of long-term stability and early prosperity, achieving political, military, economic, and cultural unity with the Central Plains, making it one of the renowned regions of Fujian known as “a strategic gateway between Fujian and Guangdong, laying the foundation for a thousand years of civilization” (as recorded in the Zhangzhou Prefecture Annals). In the second year of the Jingyun era (711), Chen Yuan Guang died in the line of duty. Later, his son Chen Xiang, grandson Chen Feng, and great-grandson Chen Mo successively served as Prefects of Zhangzhou. Over six generations spanning 150 years, they carried forward his legacy in developing and governing Zhangzhou, earning deep affection from the people. For his contributions to developing Zhangzhou, maintaining the unity of the Tang Empire, and bringing benefits to the nation and its people, Chen Yuan Guang was honored by successive dynasties and revered by the populace, being worshipped as the “Sacred King Who Opened Zhangzhou.”

The ancestral temple was built by Chen Feng, the grandson of Chen Yuan Guang, during his temporary stay in his hometown in the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. It covers an area of 5,000 square meters and originally had nearly 100 rooms. Currently, 31 rooms remain, with a construction area of 740 square meters. The overall layout is that of a traditional quadrangle courtyard, consisting of a front yard, rear hall, side halls, and wing rooms. At the center of the main hall stands a statue of Chen Yuan Guang, spirited and majestic. Above the shrine is inscribed: “Mighty and Revered in Fujian and Guangdong,” and “Purifying the Southeast.” Hall couplets read: “For decades Zhangzhou knew no war and was hailed as a land of peace; for a thousand years incense has never ceased in reverence to the General.” The left side hall enshrines statues of Chen Yuan Guang’s grandfather Chen Kegeng and grandmother Lady Wei Jing, while the right side hall houses the statue of his father, Chen Zheng.

In May 2006, the Ancestral Temple of Chen Yuan Guang, as a Qing Dynasty ancient building, was approved by the State Council to be included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Chen Yuan Guang (657–711), from Gushi, Guangzhou, according to the 1573 (Wanli Year of the Rat) “Zhangzhou Prefecture Annals”: “Chen Yuan Guang, courtesy name Tingju, art name Longhu. His ancestors were from Hedong, but later his family settled in Gushi, Guangzhou, hence he was considered a native of Gushi. He was born on the sixteenth day of the second month in the second year of the Xianqing era (657).” He was the first Prefect of Zhangzhou. He is one of the important folk deities in the Min-Taiwan region and is worshipped as the Sacred King Who Opened Zhangzhou.

He is one of the important folk deities in the Min-Taiwan region and is worshipped as the Sacred King Who Opened Zhangzhou. General Chen Yuan Guang followed his father southward before reaching adulthood and remained stationed there until his death in service... More details about General Chen Yuan Guang++

Chenji Village: Chenji Village... More details about Chenji Village++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units