Zhuyuan Wenchang Palace in Mile City, Honghe

Introduction

Zhuyuan Wenchang Palace (竹元文昌宫) was originally constructed in the 51st year of the Kangxi reign (康熙五十一年) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝), which corresponds to 1712. The palace has undergone several renovations since its inception. The architectural complex is built against the mountains, facing west, and features a tiered design. The Dianhui Canal (甸惠渠) winds around the site, adding to its natural beauty. The structures of Wenchang Palace include the main gate, main hall, side wings, and the Wujing Building (五经楼). To the north, there is the Eight Immortals Temple (八神庙) connected to the main complex, which consists of a front hall, main hall, and two side halls, all designed with the hip-and-gable roof style and wooden beam construction. Behind the main hall, there are stone buildings including the Zi Zhi Ku (字纸库) and the Wenbi Pagoda (文笔塔). In 1983, the palace was designated as a cultural heritage site by Mile County (弥勒县).

Location and Environment

Zhuyuan Wenchang Palace is situated within Zhuyuan Middle School (竹园中学) in Mile City (弥勒市), an area known for its beautiful natural surroundings: “东起峯颖群峦之挺，西环玉带籍工水之交潆” (From the eastern peaks to the western waters, surrounded by beautiful hills). The current architectural layout is complete; apart from the archway, all buildings remain intact, arranged according to the mountain's contour with a front hall, central hall (Wujing Building), and main hall, accompanied by two wings and double eaves.

Historical Background

Zhuyuan Wenchang Palace was established in the 51st year of the Kangxi reign. In the 9th year of the Qianlong reign (乾隆九年), a tribute scholar named Zhao Yi (赵玘) led the villagers of Shangwu (上伍村) in renovations and acquired land for incense offerings. In the 12th year of Qianlong, a student named Fan Rong (樊荣) organized further repairs. The palace underwent another renovation in the 9th year of the Jiaqing reign (嘉庆九年) and has been preserved in its current state since then. During the Daoguang reign (道光十八年 and 三十年), as well as the Xianfeng reign (咸丰元年) and the Guangxu reign (光绪), various repairs were made, all maintaining the architectural style from the Jiaqing period. In the 31st year of the Republic of China (民国三十一年), the Zhuyuan District Junior Middle School briefly operated within the palace before moving to the Wanfusi (万福寺) library.

Architectural Features

The palace complex presents a grand architectural style. The main hall is designed with a single-eave gable roof and measures three bays wide and two bays deep. Its sides extend into a single bay entrance hall, creating a five-bay building. The main hall features intricately carved brackets between the beams, adorned with longevity symbols, and the front columns have a vase-shaped base, with the lower half styled as a Xumi pedestal. The upper half showcases high-relief cloud and dragon patterns, giving the structure a distinctive character.

The Wujing Building (五经楼) features a double-eave gable roof, measuring five bays wide. The stairs leading to the entrance are paved with slab stones and square bricks, embedded with dragon patterns on the ceremonial stone steps. The Dianhui Canal flows beneath the stairs, creating a picturesque scene of water surrounding the mountain. The column bases of the rear eaves and corner pillars are also vase-shaped, with intricate carvings depicting scenes of “Fishing, Woodcutting, Farming, and Study” (渔樵耕读), “Pine and Crane for Longevity” (松鹤延年), “Phoenix in Peony” (凤穿牡丹), and “Deer Responding to Golden Bell” (鹿响金钟).

The main hall is constructed atop a stone platform, which features a Lingbi stone (灵璧石) placed in a stone basin. The basin, adorned with shallow relief carvings of cloud patterns and ribbons, rests on a Xumi pedestal shaped in a semi-circular form with engravings of copper coins, longevity symbols, and "Eight Treasures" (八宝). In front of the Lingbi stone, there is a stone-carved door featuring five dragons, with a strongman supporting each corner. The main hall has a single-eave gable roof, surrounded by a corridor that presents five bays and is three bays deep. The timber frame construction supports seven beams, with a ceremonial stone step featuring a “Fish Leaping over the Dragon Gate” (鱼跃龙门) and surrounded by floral relief carvings.

The interior of the main hall contains a carved inscription: “嘉庆九年岁次甲子阳春月…” (In the ninth year of Jiaqing, during the spring month of the year of the rat). The hall is adorned with nine colorful ceiling paintings from the Qing Dynasty, depicting various flowers, birds, and animals, preserved well from weathering due to their location inside the building, maintaining their vibrant colors to this day.

The column bases of the main hall are uniquely designed, with the front column bases shaped like drums featuring vine and scroll patterns, while the rear section is divided into three parts: an upper layer resembling a lotus platform with hollowed petals, a middle layer shaped like a gourd, and a lower layer forming a square Xumi pedestal with diamond-patterned engravings of offering scenes.

Stone Carvings and Inscriptions

The stone carvings at Wenchang Palace are crafted by skilled artisans from Tonghai County (通海河西县). Currently, four stone inscriptions remain, which include records of the Wenchang Palace from the 9th year of the Qianlong reign, the Kuaixing Pavilion (魁星阁) merit inscription, the 12th year of the Qianlong merit inscription, the 10th year of the Daoguang merit inscription for the restoration of the colored archway, and the merit inscription from the 1st year of the Xianfeng reign. These inscriptions are invaluable historical materials.

How to Get There

To reach Zhuyuan Wenchang Palace, you can take a bus to Mile City (弥勒市) and then use local transportation options like taxis or private cars to get to the palace located in Zhuyuan Town (竹园镇).

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are the most favorable seasons due to pleasant weather and the blooming of flowers.
• Comfortable Shoes: Wear comfortable footwear for walking and exploring the temple complex.
• Photography: Bring a camera to capture the beautiful architecture and natural surroundings.
• Respectful Behavior: Maintain respect for the cultural and spiritual significance of the site.
• Local Cuisine: Don’t miss the chance to sample local dishes in Mile City to enrich your travel experience.