Zizhong Wu Temple

Zizhong Wu Temple

Zizhong Wu Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zizhong Wu Temple, also known as the Guan Yu Ancestral Hall, is a cultural relic protection site of Zizhong County. It is located at the southern foot of Chonglong Mountain, just outside the north gate of Zizhong County town, only 100 meters from the Confucius Temple. Originally built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566), it was expanded in the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1873). Initially named Guan Yu Temple, it was also once called Guan Di Temple. Covering an area of 2,150 square meters with a construction area of 1,300 square meters, the layout imitates that of the Confucius Temple. It features a glass-tiled roof with colorful tiles and red walls, giving it a majestic presence. Twelve existing structures include the Seven-Star Gate, the east and west Side Halls (Tribute Halls), the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Guan Sheng Hall, the Qisheng Palace, and the Three Brothers Shrine, among which the Guan Sheng Hall is the most spectacular.

In 1921, to commemorate Yue Fei, the Martial Star Hall was added on the left side of the Guan Sheng Hall. Its green glazed tiles contrast strikingly with the yellow glazed tiles of the Confucius Temple. To the left of the Wu Temple lies the Dongyue Temple, which was originally built during the Song Dynasty. During the 1911 Revolution, on the night of November 25, 1911, Chen Zhenfan, commander of the revolutionary forces of the Hubei Army, took an oath here to discuss the capture and execution of Duan Fang.

Protected Area: East – to the eastern boundary of the Wu Temple Square, along the outer wall of the Wu Temple palace extending 10 meters out, continuing to the red line of residential buildings on the east side of Wenmiao Street; South – to the southern end of the Wu Temple Square, extending along the red line of the road on the east side of Wenmiao Street to the residential buildings on the west side of Wenmiao Street, 80 meters from the Wanren Palace Wall; West – to 20–30 meters beyond the western wall of the Confucius Temple; North – to the road outside the northern wall of the Confucius Temple, extending to the red line of residential buildings on the east side of Chongsheng Shrine, crossing Wenmiao Street to the boundary of the paddy fields.

Construction Control Zone: East – from the Wu Temple Square to the road leading to Chonglong Mountain (including part of the printing factory adjacent to the Wu Temple), extending to the current boundary of the paddy fields; South – to the road on the north side of the Ring Road; West – to the planned road between the Light Machinery Factory and the Veterans’ Dormitory, extending to the hills behind the Confucius Temple; North – starting from the contour line of the hills behind the Confucius Temple (40–60 meters from the northern wall of the Confucius Temple palace), extending to the intersection of Wenmiao Street and Zhuangyuan Street, and then eastward to the newly planned Chonglong Plaza.