Linghui Spring

Linghui Spring

Linghui Spring

Linghui Spring In Yutang Village, located about 10 li northeast of Hongyang Town in the ancient county seat of Puning, there is an ancient well. Its spring has a long history, flowing gently year-round. It never dries up in winter, nor does it run out even during prolonged droughts. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, whenever a severe drought struck, the county magistrate would come here to pray for rain, beseeching Heaven’s mercy on the suffering of the villagers and asking for sweet dew to save them from the calamity. In the seventh year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1742), a spring drought occurred. Magistrate Xiao Linzhi followed tradition and went to Yutang Village to pray for rain. Perhaps blessed by favorable skies, heavy rain began to pour down at noon on the very day he prayed. Overjoyed, Magistrate Xiao Linzhi named the ancient well “Linghui Spring,” widely publicized its name, and erected a stone stele inscribed with the three large characters “灵汇泉” and had it placed beside the well. He also set up a rectangular stone tablet inscribed with the “Record of Linghui Spring” personally written and composed by him, recounting the origin of the “Linghui Spring.” The stone tablets and the ancient well still exist today and are well preserved. The well platform is square, built with plain-surfaced stones, with each side measuring 4

meters, the well is 3.8

meters deep. The water is crystal clear, and one can often see small fish and shrimp swimming near the surface while crabs nestle at the bottom. The spring water tastes sweet, and it is said that Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, during his southern tour, once visited this well and praised the sweetness of the water. The spring water is still used for drinking by the local villagers. Beside it stands a Rain-Praying Pavilion built during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, with a couplet that reads: "Ascend the Spiritual Mountain, roam freely in the Heavenly Realm; Approach the Rain-Praying Hall, bring relief to all directions."

Linghui Spring, also known as the Sweet Linghui Spring, was one of the ancient “Eight Scenic Spots” of Puning during the Qianlong reign up to the Republican era, and it remains a great place to visit today.