Zhongzhen Shrine

Zhongzhen Shrine

Zhongzhen Shrine is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhongzhen Shrine is located at the northern foot of Longshan in Donghai Town, Lufeng City. It was built in the 39th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1700) to commemorate Huang Yi. The layout is that of a two-courtyard quadrangle, with each courtyard being three bays wide and deep, featuring a post-and-lintel timber frame and a flush-gable roof. The total area covers 1,000 square meters. A screen wall was constructed in front of the hanging-flower gate, connecting to the main structure to form a large courtyard. The screen wall resembles a three-bay, five-story archway-style building, which is quite distinctive to the region. Inside the shrine, six pairs of couplets are carved on the hall and chamber walls. The entire structure is rigorously built and exquisitely crafted, remaining well-preserved to this day.

Huang Yi (?–1677), a native of Da’an in Lufeng, passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi in the 16th year of the Shunzhi reign. He served as the magistrate of Guiding County in Fujian and as an official in the Surveillance Bureau of Fujian. Known for his fairness, integrity, and dedication to the people, he promoted community schools and academies, achieving remarkable governance results. He risked his life to submit the “Memorial on Opening the Border” to the Qing court, describing the dire conditions of coastal residents after the border relocation policy and criticizing the court’s misguided policies. Due to strong demands from officials across the regions, the Kangxi Emperor issued an edict in the 8th year of his reign (1699) to reopen the border, restoring the production and livelihoods of coastal inhabitants. Huang Yi eventually died in office from overwork. The Kangxi Emperor posthumously honored him with the title “Zhongzhen” (Loyal and Upright) and granted him the civil title “Wenlin Lang.” He also ordered the construction of a shrine in his memory.