Chuanzhu Palace

Chuanzhu Palace

Chuanzhu Palace

Located in Tongren City, Chuanzhu Palace faces southeast and is backed by northwest, its two-courtyard high firewalls enclosing a traditional quadrangle complex that stands out prominently along the Jinjiang River. Covering an area of about 5,000 square meters, in the evening, groups of people gather here to enjoy tea, listen to opera, take in the scenery, and reflect on the past. Within Chuanzhu Palace, ancient trees provide cooling shade, while in the distance you can see rolling mountain ranges…

This building faces the Jinjiang River, enjoying excellent feng shui and great popularity. Observe the steps, stone railing platform, archway-style gate, theater stage, side halls, and main hall—all constructed with exquisite materials and fine craftsmanship. The tall wooden pillars were transported here by water from Fanjing Mountain, and most astonishingly, the entire structure is built entirely without nails, using only mortise-and-tenon joints.

Originally built 600 years ago in 1375, the eighth year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty, by Li Yuan, the then chief official of Tongren, the palace enshrines the spirit tablets of Li Bing and his son, governors of Sichuan. The entire complex, integrating the theater stage, main hall, and wrap-around porch, is unified in design and boasts a majestic presence. Chuanzhu Palace has undergone seven renovations, enduring the trials of history.

The theater stage, supported by 14 pillars, features beams adorned with intricate bas-relief wood carvings depicting familiar stories from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—such as “Cao Cao and Liu Bei Tasting Wine Beneath the Plum Tree” and “Warriors on Horseback Charging into Battle.” One can imagine people sitting in the courtyard, sipping tea and wine, unwinding after a day’s labor, and enjoying the Peking opera performances on stage. Amidst the paddling sounds and lantern reflections on the Jinjiang River, they let their minds wander to tales of ancient heroes.

On the first-floor firewall of the east wing room is inlaid a Qing Dynasty stone stele, recording the history of Chuanzhu Palace and the merits of those who contributed to its restoration.

Chuanzhu Palace is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Its exquisite wood carvings, stone engravings, painted art, and clay sculptures serve as precious artifacts reflecting the social life, opera culture, and religious art of the Ming and Qing periods. The five surviving stone tablets preserved within the palace hold significant artistic and historical value for their calligraphy.