Memorial Temple of Minister Wang

Memorial Temple of Minister Wang

The Memorial Temple of Minister Wang is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Memorial Temple of Minister Wang is located at No. 20, Citiang Street, Chebei Village, Tianhe District. It was built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424), and underwent renovations in the 60th year of the Qianlong reign (1795), the 29th year of the Guangxu reign (1903), and in 2000. The building faces south, features three bays and three courtyards, has a total width of 28.50 meters and a total depth of 39.50 meters, covering an area of 1,125 square meters. It has a flush-gable roof, with polychrome lime plaster sculptures on the decorated ridges, and a gable-and-hip roof with a zigzag design. The base is constructed from blue bricks and stone.

The front gate spans three bays in width and two in depth, with a nine-rafter structure. The floor is paved with red marble tiles. On either side of the front porch there is a stone-clad platform, each holding two square-section stone pillars with carved stone qilins protruding from their capitals. Between the two pillars, the stone beam features decorative stone camel humps and crossed brackets adorned with carved patterns. The wooden beams, camel humps, and brackets of the roof framework are embellished with simple carvings. The colored carved eaves boards also display relatively simple patterns. The gable ends feature exquisitely crafted brick carvings depicting civil officials on procession. The stone lintel is inscribed in relief with “Memorial Temple of Minister Wang,” accompanied by an inscription above reading “Shrine to Minister Wang Daofu, Loyal Meritorious Grand Secretary and Minister of War of the Song Dynasty, renovated in the 29th year of the Guangxu reign,” and one below reading “Renovated in the 60th year of the Qianlong reign, the third month of summer, year of Yimao.” On both sides of the lintel are small relief carvings of colorful attendants, which are quite distinctive. The top beam bears the small characters “Made by Pan Runji of Huixian Street, Provincial City.” Inside the entrance hall, there are four round wooden main pillars, with two additional round wooden porch pillars at the rear.

The central hall spans three bays. There are three steps leading up to the hall. Two octagonal granite porch pillars stand at the front. The beige granite balustrade panels are original Qing Dynasty features, carved with rustic patterns including the Eight Immortals and gourds, as well as vases. Small lions standing atop the end posts are lively and charming. The brackets and camel humps on the roof beams of the porch corridor are also intricately carved. A plaque inscribed “Yuanqi Hall” hangs inside the hall. Six-panel screen doors are installed, with finely carved skirt panels.

Wang Daofu (1235–1279) was a native of Nanhai County, Guangdong. He passed the imperial examination in the fourth year of the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1268), served as a Song general resisting the Yuan Dynasty, and later held positions such as Vice Minister of War, Transport Commissioner of Guangzhou, Grand Secretary, and Minister of War. He once led troops with Ling Zhen to resist the Yuan forces and recaptured Guangzhou three times. In the second year of the Xiangxing era (1279), he failed in resisting the Yuan at Yashan and committed suicide by jumping into the sea.