Five Officials Temple

　　The Five Officials Temple is known as the "First Tower of Hainan." It is located 5 kilometers southeast of Haikou City, covering an area of approximately 6.7 hectares. In the 15th year of the Guangxu reign (1889), the people of Hainan built this memorial to honor five prominent historical figures who were exiled to Hainan Island during the Tang and Song dynasties: Li Deyu, the Duke of State Protection from the Tang Dynasty; Li Gang, the Duke of Loyalty and Decision from the Song Dynasty; Zhao Ding, the Duke of Loyalty and Simplicity; Li Guang, the Duke of Simplicity and Estate; and Hu Quan, the Duke of Loyalty and Simplicity. Hence the name “Five Officials Temple.”

　　The Five Officials Temple consists of a main building along with adjacent structures including the Su Gong Ancestral Hall, Xuefu Hall, Five Officials’ Retreat, Guanjiatang Hall, Fubo Temple, Fusu Spring, cwNB236? Zuo Ting Pavilion, and Qiong Garden — a complex of pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls.

　　The main building is a two-story red wooden structure with traditional dougong (bracket sets), standing 9 meters tall and covering a construction area of 450 square meters. A plaque inscribed with “Five Officials Temple” hangs above the main entrance downstairs, while upstairs is a horizontal plaque reading “The First Tower of Hainan.” The hall on the first floor displays statues of the five officials. On the pillars of the hall, a long couplet written by a Qing Dynasty scholar highly praises the five eminent officials, adding significant luster to the “First Tower.” The couplet reads: “They knew only their country, not themselves; despite all forms of torment, their resolve only strengthened. They prioritized the worries of the nation before their own joys, hoping that talented individuals would rise and not let down this tower.” And: “The Tang lamented its final years, the Song resented its partial peace; how many talents were exiled overseas? Their spirits resonate with the sages before them, enlightening students that follow; in this tower lies the upright qi of the universe.”

　　To the right of the main building are Xuefu Hall and the Five Officials’ Retreat. Xuefu Hall was the former teaching site of Guo Wanxiu, a renowned scholar from Zhejiang. The Five Officials’ Retreat was where late Qing Dynasty scholars in Hainan studied the classics, history, and literature, later converted into the Hainan Exhibition Hall. Exhibits include a bronze drum from the Han Dynasty, a bronze bell from the Ming Dynasty, a stone carving of Emperor Huizong of Song’s (Zhao Ji) “Shenba Yuzhen Wanshou Palace Edict” in his signature slim gold script, three ci poems by Su Shi including “Linjiang Xian” and “Xingxiangzi,” along with his carved portrait, four Tang poems handwritten by Hai Rui, his large “Longevity” character inscription, and a 1.5-meter-tall bronze statue of Sakyamuni cast in the early Yuan Dynasty.

　　On the east side of the Five Officials Temple is the Su Gong Ancestral Hall, built in the 45th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1617) to commemorate the great Song Dynasty literary figure Su Dongpo. It was renovated multiple times during the Shunzhi, Qianlong, and Guangxu reigns of the Qing Dynasty. The hall houses a collection of stone inscriptions of Su Dongpo’s poems. In front of the hall are a memorial archway, an arched bridge, a lotus pond, and a wind pavilion. To the east of the hall lies Qiong Garden, covering 0.67 hectares, featuring attractions such as Fusu Spring, Suquan Pavilion, Xixin Xuan (Heart-Cleansing Pavilion), and Xianyou Cave.

　　Fusu Spring is known as the “First Spring of Hainan.” Legend has it that in the 4th year of the Shaosheng era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1097), Su Dongpo was demoted and exiled to serve as the Prefectural Judge of Qiongzhou and was relocated to Changhua Army (today’s Danzhou City). Passing through this area, he stayed overnight and noticed locals drinking turbid water from the city river. After observing the terrain, he pointed to the ground and said, “Dig here, and you will find two springs.” The locals dug as instructed and indeed discovered one clear and one turbid spring, both sweet to the taste. The clear one became Fusu Spring, and the turbid one was called Xixin Spring. Later, structures such as the Su Gong Ancestral Hall were built around the two springs. Xixin Spring disappeared in the early Ming Dynasty. The existing Fusu Spring was reconstructed into a square ancient well in the 58th year of the Qianlong reign (1793) by Ye Rulan, the Prefect of Qiongzhou.

　　Suquan Pavilion is over 300 years old and was first built in the 48th year of the Wanli reign (1620) by Weng Ruyu, the prefect of the Ming Dynasty. During its construction, a stone brick inscribed with a poem by Su Dongpo was unearthed. The pavilion’s construction was halted when Weng Ruyu was promoted and was later completed by his successor, Xie Jike.

　　Xixin Xuan is a long, flat-roofed structure originally named “Shiyuan Pavilion.” It was built due to a poem by Su Dongpo and has been preserved through generations of renovations.

　　Xianyou Cave was built between 1916 and 1917 by Zhu Weichao, who served as an observer in Hainan. Legend says that while constructing Qiong Garden, he dreamed of drinking wine with Liu Dun, Hainan’s first recorded poet and a Taoist priest from the Song Dynasty, at Suquan Pavilion. Liu pointed outside the pavilion, saying it was the site of his birthplace, then ascended to heaven. Upon waking, Zhu was deeply moved and built an artificial rock cave at the spot Liu indicated, naming it “Xianyou Cave” (Fairy Tour Cave) after Liu’s poetic line “In the Fairy Tour Cave, no one is seen.” The current inscription “Xianyou Cave” above the cave entrance was written by Zhu Weichao.

　　On the east side of the Five Officials Temple are also the Two Fubo Temples and the Worship Pavilion. In the 45th year of the Wanli reign (1617), Deputy Envoy Dai Xi built the Zhaongzhong Temple. During the 1915 restoration of the Five Officials Temple, the Two Fubo Temples were relocated to their current site. They now enshrine two revered generals from the Han Dynasty: General Lu Bode, the Former Fubo General of the Western Han, and General Ma Yuan, the Latter Fubo General of the Eastern Han. In front of the temples is a simply designed Worship Pavilion.

　　After the liberation, the People's Government placed great emphasis on the restoration of the Five Officials Temple. It underwent a comprehensive renovation in 1954, and further repairs in 1974 and 1984. Between 1994 and 1996, over 18 million yuan was allocated to construct a three-story, 4,188-square-meter classical-style garden building within the Five Officials Temple scenic area — the Five Officials Temple Exhibition Hall. It includes ten exhibition rooms, primarily showcasing the historical legacy of the five officials, as well as cultural and historical materials of Hainan Island. Supporting facilities such as arched bridges, flower gardens, and green spaces were also built, set in contrast with the “First Tower of Hainan.”

　　The ancient sites of the Five Officials Temple are closely connected, majestic and spectacular. Throughout history, literati and artists have visited here, earning it the ancient title of “Qiongtai Scenic Wonder,” and today it is recognized as one of Haikou’s Eight Scenic Spots — “Sacred Shrines Layered in Green.” After liberation, proletarian revolutionaries such as Zhou Enlai, Dong Biwu, and Chen Yi visited here and left passionate poems. It is now listed among the first group of tourism sites open to foreign visitors in the province.

　　In 1991, the Five Officials Temple received 150,000 visitors. In 1992 and 1993, the number exceeded 400,000 each year, and in 1996, it hosted 350,000 visitors.

　　Li Deyu (787–850)　　Li Deyu (787–850), courtesy name Wenrao, was a native of Zanhuang in Zhao Commandery (present-day Zanhuang, Hebei). He was a politician and literary figure of the Tang Dynasty, leader of the Li Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles, and the second son of Li Jifu, Vice Director of the Secretariat. Li Deyu came from the Western Lineage of the Zhao Clan of Zhao Commandery. Early in his career, he entered officialdom through hereditary privilege, serving successively as a proofreader, imperial censor, Hanlin academician, Secretariat drafter, Observer of Zhedong Circuit, Vice Minister of War, Military Commissioner of Zhenghua and Guide Circuits, Military Commissioner of Western Shu, Minister of War, Vice Director of the Secretariat, Military Commissioner of Zhenhai Circuit, and Military Commissioner of Huainan Circuit. He served under Emperors Xianzong, Muzong, Jingzong, and Wenzong. He once became a chancellor but was sidelined multiple times due to factional strife. After Emperor Wuzong ascended the throne...   More+

　　Li Gang (1083–1140)　　Li Gang, courtesy name Boji, also known as Master Liangxi, was a native of Shaowu, Fujian. He was born on the 12th day of the first lunar month in the 6th year of the Yuanyou era (1083). His father, Li Kui, was a Jinshi degree holder and served as Compiler at the Jixian Hall, Prefect of Dengzhou, and Pacification Commissioner of the Southwest Circuit. From a young age, Li Gang possessed lofty aspirations and a strong sense of loyalty and patriotism. At 14, he accompanied his father in Yan’an, where the Western Xia army launched a fierce siege. Li Gang fearlessly rode atop the city walls. In the 3rd year of the Chongning era (1104), Li Gang ranked first among the students admitted to the Imperial College. In the 2nd year of the Zhenghe era (1112), he passed the highest-level imperial examination and was appointed as a professor in Zhenjiang. Soon after, he was transferred to the capital to serve as a Corrector of the Imperial College, then as an Examination Official of the Ministry of Personnel, and rose to the position of...   More+

　　Zhao Ding (1085–1147)　　Zhao Ding (1085–1147), courtesy name Yuanzhen, also known as Master Decquan, was a native of Fudi Village, Wenxi County. He was a renowned prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty who fought alongside Yue Fei against the Jin invaders. Zhao Ding passed the imperial examination in the 5th year of the Chongning era (1106) of the Northern Song and was appointed as magistrate of Luoyang, then quickly promoted to Shichang of Kaifeng. In September of the 1st year of the Jingkang era (1126), when the Jin army captured Taiyuan, the court considered ceding three towns for peace. Zhao Ding firmly opposed this, declaring: “The land of our ancestors must not be given away — why even discuss it?” The following April, when the capital Kaifeng fell and Emperors Huizong and Qinzong were captured, the Jin wanted to install Zhang Bangchang as emperor and forced Song officials to sign the agreement. Zhao Ding hid in the Imperial College and, after many trials, managed to escape southward...   More+

　　Li Guang (1078–1159)　　Li Guang (December 16, 1078 – April 22, 1159), courtesy name Taifa (also recorded as Taiding), also known as Elder Transcender, was a native of Shangyu, Yue Commandery (present-day southeastern Shangyu, Zhejiang). He was a famous statesman, literary figure, and poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, one of the Four Eminent Ministers of the Southern Song, and a descendant of Tang Prince Ruyang Li?. He passed the imperial examination in the 5th year of the Chongning era (1106) of Emperor Huizong, and served as magistrate of Kaihua County and later Changshu County. He rose to the position of Vice Chancellor but was demoted due to disagreements with Qin Hui, serving instead as Prefect of Shaoxing and later as Supervisor of Dongxiao Palace. In the 11th year of the Shaoxing era (1141), he was exiled to Tengzhou, then further demoted to Changhua Army. After Qin Hui’s death, he was transferred inland to Chenzhou. In the 28th year of the Shaoxing era (1158), he was reinstated...   More+

　　Hu Quan (1102–1180)　　Hu Quan (1102–1180), courtesy name Bangheng, style name Dan’an, was a native of Xiangcheng in Luling, Jizhou (present-day Zhixia Town, Qingyuan District, Ji’an City, Jiangxi Province). He was a literary figure and patriotic statesman of the Southern Song Dynasty, one of the “Five Loyalists and One Paragon” of Luling, and together with Li Gang, Zhao Ding, and Li Guang, he was known as one of the “Four Eminent Ministers of the Southern Song.” In the second year of the Jianyan era during Emperor Gaozong’s reign (1128), Hu Quan passed the imperial examination and earned his jinshi degree. Initially appointed as a military judge in Fuzhou, when the Jin army crossed the Yangtze River and advanced southward, Hu Quan recruited local militiamen to assist government troops in defense. Later, he was appointed as a compiler at the Privy Council. In the eighth year of the Shaoxing era (1138), when Qin Hui advocated for peace, Hu Quan submitted a bold memorial strongly denouncing the policy, pleading for the execution of Qin Hui, the chancellor Sun Jin, and the envoy Wang Lun. His voice resounded throughout the court and the public. However, he was dismissed from office and exiled to...   More+

The Five Officials Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.