Ruan Ji's Thatched Hut Platform

Ruan Ji's Thatched Hut Platform

Ruan Ji's Thatched Hut Platform is a cultural heritage site protected by Henan Province.

Ruan Ji was a famous poet of the Wei Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, the son of Ruan Yu, and once served as the Infantry Commandant, commonly known as Ruan the Infantryman. Born during the transition from the Wei to the Jin dynasties, he lamented the chaos of the times and feared persecution, so he indulged in wine and philosophical discussions. He was closely associated with Ji Kang, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu, Liu Ling, Ruan Xian, and Wang Rong, collectively known as the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove." Ruan Ji specialized in five-character poetry, which was natural and majestic. His works include eighty-two "Odes to Contemplation," expressing sorrow over life and the times, inner turmoil, and frequent satirical commentary on reality, forming a unique style later referred to as the "Zhengshi Style." He was also skilled in prose, with his "Biography of the Grand Master" being particularly famous. His collected works, "The Collected Works of Ruan the Infantryman," have been passed down through generations.

The Thatched Hut Platform, also called Ruan Ji's Platform, was where the Jin Dynasty poet Ruan Ji would recite poetry and whistle. The ruins are now located on the southern city wall near the Xiaodong Gate in Weishi County, adjacent to the city moat to the east and a lake to the west, with residential quarters for officials and their families on both the north and south sides. Legend has it that Ruan Ji often composed poetry and sang on this section of the city wall. Later generations, in admiration of this esteemed figure, built a platform here (though research suggests it may have been originally constructed during the Spring and Autumn or Warring States periods) as a tribute. The platform once had a hall with three rooms. It was surrounded by flower walls, and there was an ancient cypress tree in the courtyard, standing tall and impressive. To the north, it mirrored the high platform of Yue Liao of the Warring States period. During the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty, residents discovered a seven-cornered well built with large tube tiles beneath the western side of the platform, believed to be the site of Ruan Ji’s former garden.

The Thatched Hut Platform was built from rammed earth with visible layers, each nine centimeters thick. According to the county annals, the ancient platform underwent four restorations during the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras. However, over time, it inevitably suffered from weathering and soil erosion. Especially during the Anti-Japanese War, when floods ravaged the region, displaced residents sought shelter by digging caves into the platform. Later, locals also took earth from the site to build houses, causing further damage. After the liberation, the government placed great importance on cultural heritage. In 1957, the county government listed the Thatched Hut Platform as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit, ensuring its preservation.

The current Thatched Hut Platform is an irregular circle with a diameter of about 23 meters and a height of approximately 10 meters. The top platform has a diameter of about 9 meters and has been designated as a key development project for tourism by the People’s Government of Weishi County. Plans include restoring the earthen walls of the platform and constructing stone steps from west to east leading up to the top. Along the steps, stone tablets with poems by historical figures who visited the platform will be erected. A three-room structure will be built at the top, housing a statue of Ruan Ji whistling. On the southern side of the platform, a classical-style hall will be constructed as the Ruan Ji Memorial Hall, featuring wax figures of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove and displaying calligraphy and paintings commemorating Ruan Ji by notable figures. A small classical-style courtyard will be developed on the western side of the platform to complement the development of East Lake, creating a culturally rich recreational space that fosters refined tastes.

In 1985, the People’s Government of Weishi County redesignated the Thatched Hut Platform as a key cultural relic protection unit. In 1990, its protected area was officially demarcated. In 2006, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province by the Henan Provincial People’s Government.

- Travel Tips:

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: All day

Address: Xiaodong Gate, Weishi County, Kaifeng City

Ruan Ji (210–263) was a literary figure and philosopher of the Wei Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. His courtesy name was Sizong. He was from Ruanzhuang Village, Xiaochen Township, the son of Ruan Yu. He once served as the Infantry Commandant, commonly known as Ruan the Infantryman. As the foremost of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove," he was as renowned as Ji Kang.

Ruan Ji lost his father at the age of seven and grew up in poverty. His family lived north of the main road, while other members of the Ruan clan lived south of it, leading to the saying "the southern Ruans are wealthy, the northern Ruans are poor." Ruan Ji was tireless in his studies, indifferent to wealth and status in his choice of clothing and food. He took Confucius’ disciples Yan Hui, Min Ziqian, and Zigong as role models, unafraid of hardship, diligently seeking knowledge, and extensively reading books, eventually becoming a renowned literary figure. He specialized in five-character poetry... More details about Ruan Ji++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province