Emperor Wu of Chen’s Former Palace is located in Xiazhuo Temple Township, Changxing County, originally the residence of Chen Baxian, the founding emperor of the Chen Dynasty, historically known as Emperor Wu of Chen. Records indicate that due to the flourishing incense at Chen’s former residence, it was decreed to be Tianju Temple in the first year of Guangda during the Southern Chen Dynasty (567); in the second year of Zhiping during the Song Dynasty (1065), it was renamed Guanghui Jiao Temple; in the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu during the Ming Dynasty (1391), it was established as a Buddhist monastery, commonly known as Xiazhuo Temple. Inside Emperor Wu of Chen’s Former Palace, there is an ancient well. According to historical materials: when Chen Baxian was born, the wellspring boiled, and his family used it to bathe, later generations referred to this well as the ‘Sacred Well’, also known as ‘Chen Well’. The Sacred Well, with stone walls, is approximately 15 meters deep and 1.5 meters in diameter, with the water level even with the ground, the well water is clear and never dries up all year round. In 1993, a new Sacred Well Pavilion was built, with a stele of the Sacred Well to protect it. On August 15, 1994, the county government approved the reconstruction of Xiazhuo Temple, Chen Baxian’s Former Palace. The plaque on Emperor Wu of Chen’s Former Palace reads ‘Emperor Wu of Chen’s Former Palace’, which was handwritten by Chen Lifu. In the center of the palace stands a statue of Chen Baxian, with murals depicting his life experiences on the west side, and on the back of the statue, it is written ‘Personal Life of Chen Dynasty’s Founding Emperor Chen Baxian’. The entire palace features dense brickwork, coiled dragons at the corners, two dragons playing with a pearl on the roof, dragons and phoenixes dancing on the door, and ancient bricks paving the ground, exuding a sense of grandeur and solemnity. Opening hours are all year round from 08:30 to 16:30, on June 1-2, business hours are extended to 20:00. Preferential policy for children: free for those under 1.2 meters (not including); discounted for those between 1.2 meters (including) and 1.5 meters (not including). Seniors: discounted for those aged 60 (including) to 70 (not including) with valid identification; free for those aged 70 (including) and above with valid identification. Service facilities – Parking lot: [Emperor Wu of Chen’s Former Palace Parking Lot] Reference price: ¥5/hour; Address: Southeast corner of the intersection of Changxing Avenue and County Front East Street, Changxing Economic Development Zone, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province; Spaces: 50. Essential tips for visitors: Masks must be worn when entering the scenic area.
Must Read
Shanghai Daguan Garden
16/10/2024 / Beautiful China, calligraphy, China, China, Chinese Gardens, entry, guide, Museum tours China, pay, Shanghai, Tea, Tea, time, time
Drum Tower
16/10/2024 / China, Cultural Heritage, pay, Tea, time
Baiyun Temple
16/10/2024 / China, Feng Shui tours, Meditation retreats, pay, Taoist culture, time