Sima Guang’s Memorial Temple in Yuncheng

　　    Sima Guang’s Memorial Temple is situated about 2 kilometers from Shuitou Town toward the county town on the Xia County section of the Datong–Yuncheng Expressway, on Emei Ridge north of Xiaohuang Village. Sima Guang (1019–1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a native of Sushui Township, Xia County (present-day Xia County), Shanzhou, during the Northern Song Dynasty, and was widely known as “Mr. Sushui.” Endowed with exceptional intelligence since childhood, he became a household legend for the tale of “saving a child by smashing a water vat.” He passed the imperial examination during the Baoyuan era and served through the reigns of Emperors Renzong, Yingzong, Shenzong, and Zhezong. In September of the first year of Yuanyou, he passed away while holding the position of prime minister at the age of 68. He was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor and Duke of Wen, and bestowed the posthumous title Wenzheng. In January of the third year of Yuanyou, the Song imperial family laid him to rest in his ancestral tomb with a state funeral. His extant works include the “Zizhi Tongjian” (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government) and “Sushui Jiwen” (Records of Sushui).

　　    Sima Guang’s Tomb and Temple complex covers over a hundred acres, featuring expansive and magnificent grounds divided into four main sections:

　　    The Tomb Area: Covering approximately 50 acres, this is the burial site of Sima Guang himself and many of his ancestors. Rows of ancient tombs, dense forests, and stone carvings give the area a solemn and majestic atmosphere. Especially in late autumn, lush pines and cypresses frame persimmons dyed in brilliant hues of red and orange, creating an exceptionally picturesque scene.

　　    The Ancestral Hall: Originally built during the Song Dynasty and renovated in subsequent dynasties, the current structure follows the layout from the 27th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1726 AD). At the front is the five-bay “Apricot Flower Stele” Pavilion, which houses the “Sima Wengong Spirit Way Stele” (commonly called the “Apricot Flower Stele”), inscribed by Su Shi of the Song Dynasty and engraved in the Jin Dynasty. Behind it lies the main hall of the ancestral temple, consisting of a five-bay central hall and ten side rooms. The hall enshrines statues of four generations of Sima Guang’s ancestors.

　　    The Yuting Chan Monastery: Established in the second year of the Zhiping reign during the reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1065 AD) as a monastery for the incense offerings at Sima Wengong’s ancestral tomb. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng under Emperor Shenzong (1085 AD), it was bestowed the name “Yuting Chan Monastery.” The five-bay main hall is an original Song Dynasty structure, housing three large golden-lacquered painted Buddha statues, each about 3 meters tall, along with painted statues of Skanda, bodhisattva attendants, and the Sixteen Arhats on both sides—all Song Dynasty sculptures. The artistry is exquisite, the forms vivid, and the coloring vibrant, filling the hall with splendor.

　　    The Sushui Academy: A school established by Sima Guang for local children. It now displays Sima Guang’s calligraphy, various editions of the “Zizhi Tongjian,” exhibitions on the imperial examination system, and the Art Exhibition Hall of Shao Zhongjie.

　　    The temple and tomb complex also preserves numerous Northern Song stone carvings, as well as precious steles from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Examples include the Sima Yi Stele, authored by Wang Anshi and inscribed by calligrapher Lei Jianfu; the Sima Guang Spirit Way Stele (also known as the Apricot Flower Stele) authored by Su Shi and inscribed by him; and the “Loyal, Pure, and Exemplary Virtue Stele” from the Ming Dynasty, featuring a Song-style dragon head (1.8 m high) and turtle base (1.6 m high), with the title inscribed in seal script by Emperor Zhezong of Song. These are regarded as treasures by generations of epigraphers.

　　    Phone: 0359-8320835

　　    Address: Xiaohuang Village, Shuitou Town, Xia County, Yuncheng, Shanxi