Hui Feng Temple in Zicun

Hui Feng Temple in Zicun

Hui Feng Temple in Zicun is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hui Feng Temple in Zicun

Hui Feng Temple in Zicun (Hui Feng Academy) was initially built in the early Ming Dynasty and renovated during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is a temple specially commissioned by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang upon his ascension to the throne—hence the name “Hui Feng Temple.”

Hui Feng Temple is situated by the Xiaxia River, embraced by mountains and water, majestic in presence and set in picturesque scenery. In the Qing Dynasty, the renowned geographer Lei Youlan traveled far and wide in search of an ideal feng shui site known as “the dragon returning to pay homage to its ancestors.” In the spring of 1696, he arrived at Hui Feng Temple and left behind a timeless poem of praise: *Four-Ear Ridge rises proudly,* *Twenty-Four Mountains follow the dragon’s flow.* *The golden dragon winds down with the stream,* *The dragon returning to honor its ancestors is Hui Feng.* *In front stands the literary Brush Rack Peaks,* *Behind, the Mighty Tiger Mountain stands in tow.* *Nine winding streams embrace it all around,* *With flags and drums on either side, it’s renowned.* *Lions, elephants, fish, and shrimp guard the waters’ mouth,* *Here heroes and generals find their prowess and clout.*

Flanking the temple are classrooms, making it both a sacred site and a place of learning. At the age of six, Li Jishen studied here under the guidance of his uncle, having first attended classes at Hui Feng Academy. Thus, Hui Feng Temple (also called Hui Feng Academy) served as Li Jishen’s first school. In 1907, when Li Jishen returned to his hometown of Liaoshen to visit family and passed through Zicun, he made a special trip to revisit Hui Feng Temple and Hui Feng Academy. He composed a poem beginning with the line “Famed and Holy Hui Feng”: *Renowned across the four seas and praised afar,* *A sacred land where spirits nurture the gifted and star.* *Blessing the nation and its people, bestowing heaven’s grace,* *Granting titles and honors, producing generals and a noble race.*

– In 1958, Hui Feng Temple was demolished, rebuilt in 1985, and underwent another renovation in 2001. Today, Hui Feng Temple still combines the functions of a temple and a school. Zifeng Primary School is located within the temple grounds and retains the name “Hui Feng Academy.”