Zhuge Wuhou Temple in Miancheng

Zhuge Wuhou Temple in Miancheng

Zhuge Wuhou Temple in Miancheng is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhuge Wuhou Temple, located at the west gate of the ancient city, was built in the 12th year of the Jianxing era during the Han Dynasty. It was commissioned by Emperor Liu Shan to commemorate Zhuge Liang’s achievements. The emperor issued an edict to offer sacrifices in his honor, posthumously honored Zhuge Liang as “Loyal and Martial Marquis,” and ordered the construction of this temple in Miancheng for seasonal worship. You must be puzzled to hear that there is a Zhuge Wuhou Temple in Miancheng. After all, Zhuge Liang wasn’t from Miancheng—so why is there a Zhuge Wuhou Temple here? There is indeed a touching story behind it.

During the reign of Emperor Xian of Han, in Nanyang, there lived Zhuge Liang, a man of both talent and handsome appearance. Suitors came one after another, but all were turned down by Zhuge Liang. Even Lu Su, a retired prime minister from Xiangyang who wanted to betroth his beautiful daughter to him, was refused. This enraged Lu Su, who bore a grudge against Zhuge Liang ever since.

Once, on his way back to Xiangyang from visiting relatives in Hankou, Lu Su passed through Mianyang and met Huang Chengyan, a local scholar in Miancheng. Learning that Huang’s daughter was extremely ugly and unmarried even at the age of 25, Lu Su hatched a plan. He tricked Zhuge Liang into going to Miancheng, where he deviously tried to set him up with Huang Chengyan’s daughter, and even kept Zhuge Liang alone at the Huang residence that very night.

That night, Huang Chengyan assigned 11 servants to lead Zhuge Liang to the study. As they approached the hallway, two brindled dogs suddenly leaped out from under the eaves, baring their teeth and barking wildly. Though slightly tipsy, Zhuge Liang was so startled that he broke into a cold sweat and was utterly terrified. Just as he turned to leave, a servant stepped forward, grabbed the barking dogs by the tail, and they instantly became still. The servant apologized to Zhuge Liang: “These are wooden dogs newly made by our young mistress. We’re truly sorry.” Puzzled, Zhuge Liang couldn’t sleep all night. The next morning, he heard noises from the backyard. Listening closely, he first thought it was locals asking to borrow a cow from Miss Huang, but then he heard a woman reply: “The cow is upstairs. Please get it yourselves.” This baffled the brilliant Zhuge Liang. He got out of bed and peeked outside, only to see two young farmers carrying wooden planks and beams down from the upper floor and trying to assemble them. After a while, they called out: “Miss Huang, you’ll have to bring the cow to life yourself.” A woman responded, “Alright,” and emerged. She was of ordinary appearance, not particularly eye-catching, but skillfully used an axe and hammer. In no time, a large ox stood up. The farmers thanked her and led away the wooden ox, which wagged its black tail and shook its head.

Zhuge Liang was astonished and couldn’t help but approach the woman. After praising her, they exchanged names. It turned out she was Miss Huang. They talked intimately and hit it off. Zhuge Liang ended up studying at the Huang residence for three months, in the study room—later known as Zhuge Liang’s Reading Terrace. During this time, he and Miss Huang co-authored political research works such as the “Survey of Yizhou’s Landscapes and Figures” and the “Map of the Three Kingdoms Division,” laying a solid foundation for his future achievements. Later, under the arrangement of Huang Chengyan, Zhuge Liang and Miss Huang were officially married. That’s why Zhuge Liang is considered a son-in-law of Miancheng—and it’s no surprise that there is a Zhuge Wuhou Temple here.

Look, before us stands this memorial archway labeled “Huang Family Garden”—this is where Zhuge Liang studied. The original Wuhou Temple was eight meters tall, with three visible and five hidden halls, all built from wooden structures with upturned eaves. Its roof featured ornate carvings, suspended copper bells at the corners, and was covered entirely with red glazed tiles. Unfortunately, Miancheng suffered repeated wars, and the Zhuge Wuhou Temple was not spared. This stone statue of Zhuge Liang is an unearthed relic from that time, later restored. Below the statue, you can faintly make out a poem composed by the great Ming Dynasty literary figure Gui Youguang after visiting the temple: “Ancient cypresses planted by Zhuge stand tall; / His legacy lingers at the study hall. / His tripartite achievement shines in history, / Outshining even prime ministers Xiao and Cao.” The current layout of Zhuge Wuhou Temple largely resembles the original, with murals depicting stories from the Three Kingdoms: Zhuge Liang coming out of seclusion, debating scholars, capturing Meng Huo seven times, the Tian Shui Pass, the Wu Zhang Plains, the Eight Trigrams Formation, the capture of Chen Cang, and the Empty Fort Strategy.

Right next to the Zhuge Wuhou Temple is the famous Thousand Buddha Cave. According to records from the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, when Zhuge Liang, then a commoner and chancellor of Shu Han, stayed at his father-in-law Huang Chengyan’s home outside the west gate of Miancheng, he became good friends with a monk named Liaofan from the temple. Monk Liaofan was erudite, eloquent, and skilled in calligraphy. The two often discussed the rise and fall of dynasties, commented on the successes and failures of historical figures, and shared mutual interests, exchanging poems. In the afternoons, Zhuge Liang and Monk Liaofan would often walk to the ginkgo tree in the east of the cave to read. After visiting the Zhuge Wuhou Temple, does Gui Youguang’s poem come to mind again? “Ancient cypresses planted by Zhuge stand tall; / His legacy lingers at the study hall. / His tripartite achievement shines in history, / Outshining even prime ministers Xiao and Cao.”

Zhuge Liang (July 23, 181 – August 28, 234), courtesy name Kongming, also known as Wolong (or Fulong), was a Han Chinese from Yangdu, Langya (present-day Yinan County, Linyi City, Shandong Province). He served as the chancellor of Shu Han and was an outstanding politician, strategist, inventor, and military leader during the Three Kingdoms period. During his lifetime, he was granted the title Marquis of Wuxiang and posthumously honored as Loyal and Martial Marquis. The later Eastern Jin Dynasty further honored him as King Wuxing for his military prowess. His notable works include the “Former Admonition,” “Later Admonition,” and “Admonitions to My Son.” He invented devices such as the wooden ox and flowing horse, and the Kongming lantern. Chengdu is home to a Zhuge Wuhou Temple. More detailed information about Zhuge Liang++

Miancheng Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Xiantao City. Before 1952, it was the seat of a commandery, prefecture, route, state, and county. From 1953 to 1983, it was under the administration of Tonghaikou Town. In 1984, it was approved by the Mianyang County government to become a county-administered town, and in 1987, it was officially established as the Miancheng Hui Ethnic Town by the provincial government. Located in the southern part of the city, 35 kilometers from downtown, it covers an area of 36 square kilometers with a population of 25,000, including Hui, Han, and Mongolian ethnic groups. It governs 12 village committees: Zhuling, Huangjinlou, Yuanlou, Wanghe, Shaoshendu, Shangguan, Nanqiao, Gubaimen, Chengjiao, Qihong, Jiangbei, and Eryang, as well as the Miancheng Neighborhood Committee. Xiantao (Jian...) More detailed information about Miancheng Town++