Temple of Liu Zihou

Temple of Liu Zihou

The Temple of Liu Zihou is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The Temple of Liu Zihou is a memorial shrine built to honor Liu Zongyuan, a renowned thinker and literary figure of the Tang Dynasty. In 2001, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

Liu Zongyuan (773–819), courtesy name Zihou, was a native of Jie County, Hedong (present-day Yongji, Shanxi), and was commonly referred to as "Liu Hedong." He is also known as "Liu Liuzhou" for having served as the Prefect of Liuzhou. After participating in the reformist movement led by Wang Shuwen, which ultimately failed, Liu was demoted and exiled to Yongzhou for ten years. During this period, he authored timeless masterpieces such as "Eight Records of Yongzhou," "The Story of the Snake-Catcher," "On Heaven," "The Response to Heaven," "Three Admonitions," and "River Snow." These works cemented his esteemed position in both Chinese literary and intellectual history. He is often mentioned alongside Han Yu as one of the "Han-Liu" pair and is listed among the "Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties." He is also one of the most influential non-native figures in Yongzhou's history.

The Temple of Liu Zihou is also known as the "Shrine of Liu Zihou," "Temple of Magistrate Liu Sima," or "Shrine of Liu Sima." It is located on Liu Zi Street, along the Xiao River west of Lingling District in Yongzhou City. Originally built in the third year of the Zhihe era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1056), it was relocated to its current site in the fourteenth year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1144) and rebuilt in the third year of the Guangxu era during the Qing Dynasty (1877). The temple covers an area of 3,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,600 square meters. Upon entering, visitors ascend steps to successively reach the theater stage, central hall, main hall, and offering hall. The structure features brick-and-wood construction, latticed doors and windows, tiled roofs, and is enclosed by high walls.

The front facade of the Temple of Liu Zihou has three gateways, with the main gate in the center. Above the lintel is a stone engraving reading “Temple of Liu Zihou” (柳子庙) in vertical script. The side lintels are inscribed with the running script characters “Clear and Luminous” (清莹) and “Elegant and Pure” (秀澈). The threshold of the main gate bears a couplet carved in stone: “Mountains and rivers measure our realm; yellow bananas and red lychees grace our land; seasons report their tales; blessings and longevity for our people.” This couplet was composed by Yang Han, the prefect of Yongzhou during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. Inside the temple, the front section features a theater stage — a two-story pavilion with a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, upturned eaves, and intricately carved ridges from the main ridge to the hip ridges, adorned with vivid sculptures of fish, dragons, and human figures full of charm and liveliness. Beyond the stage lies a viewing courtyard; ascending thirteen steps leads to the central hall, which has nine bays, a flush gable roof, a lofty base, and a spacious front porch. Every three bays are separated by fireproof walls, with soaring wing corners that create a majestic atmosphere. The central beam bears an inscription reading: “Constructed in the autumn month of the cyclical year Dingsi, the third year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1877), through public donations by local elders, merchants, and citizens of the Six Wards of Shensing.” Ascending steps from the corridor of the central hall leads to the main hall, which has three bays. At the center of the hall stands a statue of Liu Zongyuan. To the left of the main hall is the Shrine of the God of Wealth, and to the right is the Shrine of Guanyin. The hall also serves as an offering space and has been converted into the Liu Zihou Stele Corridor. The temple houses numerous historical stone steles, plaques, and couplets, among which the “Lychee Stele” features text by Han Yu, calligraphy by Su Shi, and commemorates Liu Zongyuan’s virtuous governance — collectively hailed as the “Three Perfections Stele.”

Admission

Admission: 25 RMB

Opening Hours

08:00~18:00

Location

Liu Zongyuan Memorial Hall, Lingling District, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level