Danlang An Ruins, situated in the southern suburbs of Zhonghe Town in Danzhou City, marks the location where Su Dongpo, the renowned poet of the Song Dynasty, spent three years of his exile. Upon his arrival in Danzhou during the Shaosheng years, Su Dongpo and his son were initially welcomed by local officials who provided them with an official residence and regular rations. This period of favor, however, was short-lived, and they were soon expelled.
Left without a place to call home, Su Dongpo and his son found themselves in a dire situation, which evoked the sympathy of both local officials and civilians. They came to his aid, assisting in the construction of a dwelling within the Guanglang forest to the south of the city. With the collective effort of the villagers, three thatched cottages were built. Despite the presence of insects and ants, the cottages were nestled comfortably within the forest, characterized by their bamboo bodies, green leaves, and begonia branches. This serene environment inspired Su Dongpo to name his new home “Guanglang An.”
In the same year, Su Dongpo also contributed to the community by helping the villagers dig a well, which produced an abundance of sweet water. This well, now known as “Dongpo Well,” has remained a source of water that never dries up over the centuries.
Guanglang An stands as a testament to Su Dongpo’s three-year life in Danzhou. It has been renovated and expanded multiple times throughout the generations, with the current structure having been specially restored by the local government in recent years. Please note that the opening hours and business status of Guanglang An are subject to the actual situation on the day of your visit.
