Dong'andi Wen Gong Earth God Temple

Dong'andi Wen Gong Earth God Temple

Dong'andi Wen Gong Earth God Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Earth god temples are usually simple in design due to their relatively low divine status and grassroots-level worship. The more rudimentary ones are often set up under trees or by roadsides, using two stones as walls and one as a roof, forming what is commonly called a "pile" style earth god temple. Some are simply built with cement or bricks. Others, due to flourishing worship, gradually expand into medium or large structures.

Dong'andi Wen Gong Earth God Temple is located in the northeast of Dong'andi Village, Beidi Township, Xiangyuan County. It faces south with a north orientation, stretching 14.5 meters from east to west and 13.2 meters from north to south, covering an area of approximately 191 square meters. Its construction date is unknown, but the existing structure dates back to the Qing Dynasty. The temple follows a single-courtyard layout, with the central axis featuring a mountain gate and the main hall, flanked by east and west side halls and east and west wing rooms. The main hall sits on a 1.5-meter-high stone platform, has a width of three bays and a depth of four rafters, features a single-eave flush gable roof, and has a five-rafter front-porch-style beam frame supported by three pillars along the span. A shrine is set into the back wall to enshrine the deity statue.

The Dong'andi Wen Gong Earth God Temple enshrines Han Yu, the great literary master of the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that Han Yu’s writing was so exceptional that the Jade Emperor took a liking to him and summoned him to heaven, appointing him as the teacher of all deities. From then on, Han Wengong became a scholar in the celestial palace, teaching the gods about literature, explaining characters, and spreading wisdom every day. All the immortals, regardless of rank, held him in high esteem, addressing him as “teacher” or “sir.” After being called this repeatedly, he became so pleased with himself that he lost his senses, grew arrogant, and forgot his place. He gradually noticed that, just like on earth, there were many injustices in heaven, and the Jade Emperor, like earthly emperors, also had the flaw of listening to only one side and failing to distinguish loyalty from treachery. Unable to hold back his complaints, he wrote memorials and submitted petitions daily, pointing out the faults of the heavens and speaking harsh truths. The Jade Emperor was embarrassed and secretly cursed: “You arrogant fool Han Yu, how dare you become so presumptuous after just a few days here? You can write a few essays—that’s nothing special!” But he also found the situation tricky. Punishing him would be difficult without a valid excuse, especially since he had personally promoted Han Yu, so he couldn’t turn against him too abruptly. What to do? For such an arrogant literati, the best approach was to ignore him.

Once subjected to this “cold treatment,” Han Wengong couldn’t help but grow restless. Unable to bear the loneliness, he felt increasingly empty inside. Especially at night, when alone in his room, he missed his wife even more. Ah, back in the day, they were inseparable, living in perfect harmony—how warm and sweet those times were. Now, although he was a deity, he didn’t even have anyone to talk to. With a heart full of grievances and no one to confide in, he felt he might as well be suffocating. This wouldn’t do—he couldn’t stay in such a place. He had to go back to his wife.

As worldly desires stirred in Han Wengong’s heart, he quickly sought out his nephew Han Xiangzi and poured out his frustrations. His scolding made Han Xiangzi reply with a bitter smile: “Uncle, it’s not that I’m scolding you, but you really need to change this attitude of yours. Otherwise, you’ll never get along anywhere. You were demoted in the mortal world and now cold-shouldered in heaven—all because of your writing. If you had written some superficial, trendy essays to please the crowd, you’d instantly be a big hit in heaven. To tell you the truth, your mortal self is already dead, and your aunt passed away from crying over you. What’s come to heaven is just your soul!” “Nonsense, when I left, your aunt was alive and kicking—how could she be dead so soon?” “Uncle, have you forgotten? A day in heaven is a year on earth. You’ve been here for half a month—it’s already been fifteen years on earth. The grass on your and your aunt’s graves must be waist-high by now!”

But Han Yu insisted on leaving. Han Xiangzi sighed and said, “Fine, but I have official duties and can’t escort you all the way home. I’ll take you as far as the Southern Heavenly Gate. Remember, if you can’t find a place to stay, enter any red door you see.” By “red door,” Han Xiangzi meant the mountain gates of major temples, as those were the only ones painted red. Thinking his uncle was too stubborn to adapt to life as a celestial deity, Han Xiangzi figured he’d make a decent “Earth Deity” in the mortal realm. But Han Wengong, being old and hard of hearing, misheard “red door” as “feng men (any door).” Upon exiting the Southern Heavenly Gate, he found himself in the territory of Chaozhou, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. He cried out loudly, but no one paid him any attention. Only then did he realize he had truly become a wandering spirit—no one could see or hear him. Soon, carried by a gust of wind, he drifted unconsciously into the desolate wilderness.

Just then, he heard the sound of firecrackers. Looking up, Han Wengong saw a large crowd kneeling before a grand tomb. Upon closer inspection, he noticed seven large characters engraved on the tall stele: Tomb of Han Wengong and His Wife. Seeing the inscription, Han Wengong was overwhelmed with grief. My dear wife, if only I had returned sooner—you’re really gone. But seeing how the people of Chaozhou still held him in such high regard and affection, his heart warmed.

Dong'andi Village: Located 1.5 kilometers east of Beidi Township, Dong'andi Village borders Baodi Village to the east, Beidi Village to the west, Baohou Village to the north, and connects with Guxian Town to the south. The village has 86 households and a population of 328, including 19 Party members (four of whom are women). Villager Zhang Zhiqiang has established the Minxin Beef Cattle Breeding Economic Cooperative with other households. The village’s economy mainly relies on growing grain crops and young people working outside. ... More details about Dong'andi Village++