Zhenhai Shrine

Zhenhai Shrine

Zhenhai Shrine is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanning City.

Xinyu Village Zhenhai Temple

Xinyu Village Zhenhai Temple is located in Sanli, Xinyu Village, Jiangnan Subdistrict. Its exact founding date is unknown. Before the Ming Dynasty, there used to be a temple the size of a local earth god shrine near the Yong River not far from here, named “Zhenhai,” meaning “to suppress the flood demon.” The current site of Zhenhai Temple was originally an imperial sacrificial ground without a formal name—only a simple wooden-framed structure. To prevent the imperial horses from trampling nearby crops, villagers pooled funds to build a temple here, replacing the one that had stood by the river. Due to repeated flooding of the Yong River, the Japanese invasion during WWII, and the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution (“0” period), the temple was destroyed many times. Since the 16th year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty (1643), and in subsequent years including the 49th year of the Kangxi era (1710), the 5th year of the Yongzheng era (1727), the 39th year of the Qianlong era (1774), the 10th year of the Guangxu era (1884), the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), the 35th year of the Republic of China, and 2004, villagers and patrons from all walks of life have repeatedly donated to renovate the temple, restore statues, and repair the cauldron. The facilities inside and outside the temple have been well maintained. In 2004, the municipal government designated Zhenhai Temple as a second-class cultural relic protection unit. The temple, built in the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty, covers an area of over 600 square meters, featuring three courtyards and two corridors. It originally enshrined deities such as Yu the Great, Emperor Yan, Emperor Huang, Shennong, and King Wen of Zhou, but gradually evolved to include figures like Guan Yu (Guangong), Beisheng Emperor, Wenchang Emperor, Confucius, Guanyin, Huapo (Goddess of Flowers), and the God of Wealth. During the Republican era, the temple had two caretakers: one a Vietnamese expatriate surnamed Ruan, and the other Wei Da, who relied on monthly donations from villagers for their livelihood and incense offerings. Before liberation, it served as a private school, then as an elementary school in the early years of the PRC. In 1956, it became the village office of Xinshan Township (now Xinyu Village and Tan Village), and in 1982, the village committee moved to a new office building, relocating away from Zhenhai Temple. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, worshippers visit to offer incense. The 23rd day of the first lunar month is the temple fair.

Xinyu Village: Xinyu Village is a natural village located on the southern bank of the Yong River in Nanning City. The village has six villager groups, 435 households, a permanent population of 1,250, a floating migrant population of 8,000, and currently 34 Communist Party members.

In recent years, the Xinyu Village Party Branch has actively explored new measures to promote village development based on local conditions, achieving certain results. First, party member study sessions have been institutionalized, with a party activity room established and distance education courses offered. Second, the party membership has been expanded by actively cultivating and recruiting outstanding young people. Third, party members take the lead as pioneers and role models. With initiatives such as... More details about Xinyu Village ++