Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall

　　Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall is situated on a hillside overgrown with Scots pine and larch trees at the Jin'gou Forest Farm in Mohe. Constructed in 1998 and rebuilt in 2007, the hall is approached by long stone steps leading down to the mountain foot. It is flanked by verdant pines and cypresses with lush green grass, and the entire structure is made of wood, featuring carved beams and upturned eaves, giving off a solemn and historic atmosphere.

　　Walking up the steps and entering the courtyard, you’ll see the main ancestral hall directly ahead. Above the door, under the eaves, is a gilded plaque inscribed with “Li Jinyong Ancestral Hall.” On either side of the door are couplets that read: “For mining, securing borders, and prospering the region, his achievements surpassed ancient and modern times; for benevolent disaster relief, seeking truth, and aiding neighbors, his virtuous governance shines across the universe.” Inside the hall is a statue of Li Jinyong clad in official robes and seated on a tiger-skin chair. On both sides are plaques and couplets inscribed by notable figures, chronicling Li Jinyong’s life. Beneath the memorial tablet are ritual vessels offered by gold miners. The symmetrical east and west wing rooms on either side of the main hall are the Merit Hall and the Staff Hall, displaying biographies of figures such as Li Jinyong and Yuan Dahua, the development history of the Mohe Gold Mine, the gold extraction process, as well as the machinery, tools, and cultural relics used.

　　Li Jinyong (1835–1890), styled Qiuting and also known as Yuyi, was a native of Wuxi, Jiangsu. In his early years, he followed his father in business before purchasing an official position with silver and becoming a Tongzhi (an official rank). Renowned for his integrity and effective disaster relief efforts, he was transferred from Zhili to serve as Prefect of Changchun. In April 1887, recommended by Li Hongzhang, he was moved from Changchun to Heilongjiang to oversee the establishment of the Mohe Gold Mine. Upon arriving in Mohe with dozens of subordinates, he gathered firsthand information for mine construction and formulated the “Mohe Gold Mine Company Articles of Association.” He actively traveled to Tianjin, Shanghai, and Yantai to raise funds, recruit mining engineers, purchase machinery, secure food supplies, and arrange for the transport of weapons—demonstrating meticulous planning for the mining venture. In October 1888, Li Jinyong led nearly a thousand colleagues and miners to Mohe. First, he organized the Mohe Mining Camp to train soldiers, then established the gold mine and held a mountain worship ceremony to commence operations.

　　Li Jinyong dealt with Russian bandits and brigands with neither excessive humility nor arrogance, showing great wisdom and unyielding righteousness. His presence deterred the Russians, making the Mohe Gold Mine one of the most successful mining ventures of the modern era and gaining nationwide fame.

　　Li Jinyong worked tirelessly on foreign affairs related to the mining industry, pouring his heart and soul into the endeavor. Overworked and exhausted, he fell ill and passed away in Mohe on August 14, 1890, at the age of 56.

　　“For mining, securing borders, and prospering the region, his achievements surpassed ancient and modern times; for benevolent disaster relief, seeking truth, and aiding neighbors, his virtuous governance shines across the universe.” This is how the world praises Li Jinyong for his integrity in office, industrial development along the border, patriotism against invaders, and efforts to stabilize the frontier.

　　Known as the “Gold Sage,” Li Jinyong was revered by gold prospectors who would visit this site to pray before setting out to mine. It has since become a popular tourist destination.

　　Li Jinyong (1835～1890)　　Li Jinyong (1835–1890), styled Qiuting and also known as Liqing, was from Doumen Licun Village, Shitangwan, Wuxi. A figure from the late Qing Dynasty... As a youth, he farmed and was known for his exceptional strength. His hometown, prone to frequent flooding due to low-lying terrain, inspired him to engage in local public welfare. In the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign (1855), he initiated fundraising efforts to renovate the embankments of Yangjia Weir and Jiexi Weir. Soon after, he went to Shanghai to engage in business, co-founding the Merchants’ Inn and interacting with prominent merchants, through whom he became acquainted with Li Hongzhang’s younger brother, Li Hezhang. The profits from his business were often used for disaster relief and local public welfare. In the tenth year of Xianfeng (1860), he took the lead in funding soup kitchens in Zhenjiang, Danyang, and other areas to support refugees displaced by war. In the twelfth year of Guangxu (1886)... Details+