Shisheng Palace

Shisheng Palace

Shisheng Palace is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Shisheng Palace is located at the foot of Denggao Mountain in Ximei Town, Anju District, Suining City, Sichuan Province. Originally constructed in 1933, it faces south and occupies a total area of 7,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 6,000 square meters. Being quite extensive, it is recognized as an important modern historical site and representative structure. It has functioned as a place for religious activities, the district branch of the Kuomintang, a residence for the local militia, the district office, and since the founding of the People's Republic of China, has continuously served as the office of the local government.

In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), a man named Chen Renshan raised funds from the local community to build Shisheng Palace in Ximei Town. The building features a brick-and-wood structure with traditional post-and-lintel architecture and a gable-and-hip roof; its dark grey tiles resemble fish scales, and connected corridors link the rooms, resulting in a compact yet fully functional layout. The central courtyard is bright, serene, and traditionally designed, featuring a square-shaped sky well and elegant, round entrance doors inspired by Suzhou-style architecture. The windows and doors are adorned with exquisitely fine carvings, creating a peaceful and comfortable environment. “Within this grand courtyard made up of a traditional quadrangle compound full of character, the spirit tablets of ten esteemed sages are enshrined: Fuxi, King Wen of Zhou, Duke of Zhou, Confucius, the Great Buddha, the Supreme Taoist Deity, Guan Yu, Lü Dongbin, Guanyin, and the Kitchen God.”

Legend has it that at the time, Shisheng Palace recited Buddhist scriptures and the Dao De Jing daily, actively engaged in charity and supported the local community. It held a 49-day water and land ceremony every year, and soon gained great prestige and growing influence. Even Li Jiajun, the Commander-in-Chief of the Sichuan Border Defense Forces stationed in Suining, visited to pay his respects, took Chen Renshan as his master, and became a member of the Shisheng sect.

After its completion in 1933, the palace enshrined the Ten Sages (Fuxi, King Wen of Zhou, Duke of Zhou, Confucius, the Supreme Taoist, the Great Buddha, Guan Yu, Lü Dongbin, Guanyin, and the Kitchen God) until 1935. Later, when Ximei was designated as the fifth district administrative office, the district office took over the palace. In the winter of 1949 after the liberation of Suining and the anti-feudal campaign, the ten altars and spirit tablets were all removed and destroyed. The building then served as a district public office. In 1992, when townships were upgraded to towns, Ximei Township, Chixiang Township, and Fuguo Township merged to form Ximei Town, and the government offices were set up here.

Protected Area: Eastward to one meter beyond the drip line of the right wing-room’s rear eaves of Shisheng Palace; westward to one meter beyond the drip line of the left wing-room’s rear eaves of the Feng Family Ancestral Hall; southward to one meter beyond the drip line of the main hall’s rear eaves of Shisheng Palace; northward to five meters beyond the north gate of the mountain gate archway.

Construction Control Zone: A 20-meter buffer zone extending outward from the protected area.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Sichuan Province