Zhijiang Tianhou Palace Stone Archway

Stone Archway of Zhijiang Tianhou Palace

The stone archway of Zhijiang Tianhou Palace is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

Zhijiang Tianhou Palace in Hunan was originally a guild hall for Hakka immigrants from Fujian. It was built in the 13th year of the Qianlong reign (1748) by Fujianese settlers. The palace faces east and is situated to the west, with side chambers on the north and south. The central section consists of three parts: a stage, the main hall, and the Guanyin Hall. To the left is the God of Wealth Hall, and to the right are the Martial Saint Hall and the Wutong God Hall. The overall architectural structure has been largely preserved. In 1986, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Zhijiang Tianhou Palace in Hunan is located on the west bank of the Wushui River in Zhijiang Town, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Hunan Province. It faces east and stands opposite the county town across the Wushui River. The palace was established by merchants from Fujian during the 13th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1748). It is currently the largest and best-preserved Mazu temple in inland China, one of the “Hundred Scenic Spots of Xiaoxiang, Hunan,” and its stone archway is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province. Hong Kong and Taiwan media have praised it as “the grandest in Southwest China” and “a rare Mazu temple in inland China.”

The most acclaimed feature of Zhijiang Tianhou Palace is the stone archway’s bluestone reliefs: the archway is 10.6 meters high, 6.3 meters wide, features a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, and is built in the form of a gate tower. The entire archway is made from metamorphic sedimentary rock produced in Mingshan, characterized by an oily green hue with blue undertones. There are a total of 95 reliefs of varying sizes on the archway, the largest spanning 2.62 square meters and the smallest just 0.09 square meters. The carvings combine openwork and flat engraving techniques, featuring reliefs within reliefs, with large and small carvings complementing each other. Dragons, phoenixes, lions, fish, bamboo, trees, flowers, grass, humans, immortals, and spirits are all vividly depicted. The reliefs contain several allusions, such as “Lonely Phoenix and Sturdy Bamboo,” “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea,” and “Magu Offering Peaches,” all ingeniously conceived and lifelike. The two reliefs “Luoyang Bridge” and “Three Towns of Wuhan” are considered classic works among the gate carvings.

The Tianhou Palace underwent its first major renovation in 1863 and its second major renovation starting in 2001. In accordance with the approval issued by the People's Government of Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County on April 15, 1997, “permission is granted for the regional Taoist Association to establish its office here and to carry out Taoist activities in accordance with the law.” As a result, the Taoist Association of the Zhijiang area is also located within this palace.

Attraction Location

Jiangxi Street, Zhijiang Town, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province

Ticket Price

10 RMB