Yuanyou Palace

Yuanyou palace, built by Jiajing emperor, is a place for the emperor to return home, the royal family and state officials to worship Xianling or hold other important sacrificial activities. Its architectural style is similar to that of the Forbidden City in Beijing and Wudang Taoist temple.

Zhongxiang Yuanyou palace, located in the south corner of Zhongxiang Yingzhong town and the North Bank of Jingyue lake, was built by Zhu Houying, Emperor Jiajing of Ming Dynasty. It took nine years for the palace to be built in 1558. More than 430 years ago. It covers an area of 15000 square meters. It is a cultural relic protection unit in Hubei Province.

Yuanyou Palace

Yuanyou palace is located in the southeast corner of Yingzhong street, Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province, on the Bank of Jingyue lake at the foot of Longshan. It was built by Zhu Houying, Emperor Jiajing of Ming Dynasty, as a place for the emperor to return to his hometown, the royal family and state officials to worship Xianling or hold other important sacrificial activities.

Yuanyou palace was built in the 19th year of Jiajing reign (1540) and completed in the 32nd year (1553). It took 13 years. Its shape and structure are similar to those of the Forbidden City in Beijing and Wudang Taoist temple. On the top of the palace gate is inlaid with the four big characters "Yuanyou palace gate" written by Yan Song, the cabinet's first assistant in Jiajing reign.

Yuanyou palace is located in the south of the north, and its layout is axisymmetric. It has typical characteristics of traditional Chinese architecture, covering a total area of 15000 square meters. In May 2006, Yuanyou palace was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council as a supporting religious building of the world cultural heritage - obvious mausoleum.

Historical evolution

In 1539, Emperor Jiajing paid a visit to Zhongxiang in the south, and the imperial plan of Yuanyou palace was established.

In the 19th year of Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1540), the construction of Yuanyou palace began.

In 1553, Yuanyou palace was completed.

At the end of Ming Dynasty, Yuanyou palace was destroyed by the war. Only the three cave Pavilion, bell and Drum Tower, Yuanyou palace gate, Yanzhen hall, baozuo, Yanxi square and other buildings remained.

In 1665, Chen Zhen, a Taoist of Yuanyou palace, raised more than 30000 yuan to rebuild Yuanyou palace.

In 1760, the palace of Sanqing (Shangqing, Xuanqing, Yuanqing) was changed to Longevity Palace, which means "longevity Taoist collection".

In 1865, Zhang Yingxiang and Nie heding rebuilt Yanxi and baozuo.

On May 14, 1893, the 19th year of Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, the three cave pavilion was suddenly returned to the throne. After two or three hours, it was all ashes.

In 1939, the Japanese invaded Zhongxiang county and Yuanyou palace was badly damaged.

From 1966 to 1976, Yuanyou palace was destroyed again during the ten years of Cultural Revolution.

Since 1979, Zhongxiang local government has repeatedly allocated special funds to rebuild Yuanyou palace, and Yuanyou palace has gradually restored its old system.

architectural composition

The gate of Yuanyou palace has side doors in the East and West. In front of the gate is the Qionghua glazed screen wall. In the west of the screen wall is the essence archway of "Yanxi". In the east of the screen wall is the essence archway of "baozuo". Behind the gate is the bell tower in the East and the drum tower in the West. The main hall Yuanyou Hall (later renamed Longevity Palace) is located in the center of the complex, with a single eaves resting on the top of the mountain, surrounded by corridors, and his Highness has a white marble xumizuo. In front of the hall is Yunlong Danlong, in the back of the hall is Xuanfa hall in the East, Yanzhen hall in the west, and three cave Pavilion in between. On the west side of the palace is the imperial edict stele, and on the east side is the imperial edict chengtianfu Yuanyou palace Jicheng stele.

Cultural relics

Cultural relic value

Yuanyou palace is the supporting religious building of the world cultural heritage - obvious mausoleum. It faces south in the north, and its layout is axisymmetric. It is a typical Chinese traditional architectural pattern, showing the majesty of the Royal sacrificial architecture of the Ming Dynasty, representing the architectural level and construction style at that time, and has high artistic value.

At the same time, Yuanyou palace, as a royal Taoist temple, indirectly reflects the development of Taoist culture in Zhongxiang area. To sum up, Yuanyou palace is of great significance to the study of emperor Jiajing's ruling thought and the formation of early religious thought.

Cultural relics protection

In 1961, Yuanyou palace was listed as the first batch of "key cultural relics protection units in Hubei Province" by Hubei provincial government.

In 2006, Yuanyou palace was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council and incorporated into Xianling.

In 2009, the State Administration of cultural relics approved the request for instructions on applying for the protection plan of Yuanyou palace issued by Hubei Provincial Bureau of cultural relics, and the protection system of Yuanyou palace has gradually become a system.

In 2012, the maintenance and protection work of Yuanyou palace before the opening of the exhibition was mainly completed, including the maintenance of Yuanyou Palace door, the painting of palace wall, the maintenance of Qionghua screen wall, and the renovation of Yanxi memorial archway.

In September 2016, Zhongxiang municipal government launched the protection and repair project of the three cave Pavilion of Yuanyou palace.

In addition, the daily protection and management measures taken by Zhongxiang municipal government for Yuanyou palace mainly include: installing monitoring camera equipment, implementing electronic security; sending special personnel to take care of and patrol, and regularly checking the surrounding environment.

Tourism information

Admission: 10 yuan per person.

Opening hours: 8:30-11:30, 14:30-17:30.

Address: No.5 Yuanyou Road, Yingzhong street, Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province.

Transportation: take bus No.1 or No.2 in Zhongxiang City to natatorium or lisheqiao.

Address: No.5 Yuanyou Road, Zhongxiang City, Jingmen City

Longitude: 112.594185

Latitude: 31.1612196