Bao Gong’s Well

　　    Bao Zheng, a renowned statesman of the Song Dynasty, served as the Magistrate of Duanzhou (present-day Zhaoqing) for three years. During his tenure, he governed with integrity, implemented numerous beneficial policies, and greatly contributed to the welfare of Duanzhou. At that time, residents often suffered from epidemics and diseases due to long-term consumption of unclean water. In response, Bao Zheng mobilized the local community to dig seven wells within the city. Grateful residents referred to these seven wells as Bao Gong’s Wells.

　　    By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, wells in Zhaoqing had become countless, with nearly every street and alley having a drinking water well. However, because of their great age, the locations of the original seven Bao Gong’s Wells were largely forgotten. According to the "Record of the Righteous Well" by Dong Yuan, a local resident from the late Yuan to early Ming Dynasty: “It is said that Magistrate Bao of the prefectural city dug seven wells: one inside the government office compound. The second well is next to the Temple of Mount Yue, west of the government office. The third well is on the south side of County School Street, commonly known as the Righteous Well. The fourth is at the entrance to Fenshi Lane. The fifth is to the right of Guangji Granary. The sixth is to the left of the North Gate. The seventh is in front of the Commandant’s Hall.”

　　    Qu Dajun, a renowned scholar from the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty, wrote in the "New Discourses on Guangdong": “When Bao Xiaosu (courtesy name of Bao Zheng) was the Prefect of Duanzhou, he dug seven wells. Five were within the city walls and two outside, arranged to resemble the Big Dipper. The one located outside the West Gate was called Longdinggang Well. Surrounded by residential homes, its water was clear, smooth, and sweet — considered the best among the seven wells.”

　　    Today, three wells have been preserved and remain the most influential. The first is located inside the government office compound — now behind Liqiao Tower, within the site of the First People’s Hospital (Liqiao Tower served as the seat of Zhaoqing Prefecture government during the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties). This well is said to be Bao Gong’s “demon-locking well,” associated with the legend of “Bao capturing the demon while Lu released the horse, forming a lake.” Unfortunately, it was filled in during the early years after Liberation. The second is Longdinggang Well (now also called Dajing Well), near which the Temple of Mount Yue once stood. This well currently has ample water supply and remains drinkable. It is cylindrical in shape, with arc-shaped granite blocks lining the well walls, and a limestone well curb. The inner wall of the curb has nearly 20 deep rope marks. It appears that the well walls were rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, while the original limestone well curb has been preserved. The third well is located in present-day Micang Lane, at the former site of Fengji Granary where Bao Zheng stored grain for famine relief (renamed Guangji Granary in the Yuan Dynasty). The well curb of this well has long been destroyed, and the water is no longer used.