Overview

Yingzhou Pavilion (瀛洲亭) stands majestically, showcasing its impressive architecture. Located on the central island of Nanhu Lake (南湖) in Mengzi City (蒙自市), it features exquisite white marble carvings and serves as a revolutionary martyrs’ memorial on Song Island (菘岛) to honor the fallen heroes. The pavilion is not only a historical site but also a place where scholars gather, offering a glimpse into the serene beauty of the area, which is often compared to the mythical Penglai (蓬莱) paradise.

Historical Background

Yingzhou Pavilion is regarded as one of the finest garden architectural works from the Qing Dynasty (清代) and is included in the “Complete Works of Chinese Art: Garden Architecture Volume” (中国美术全集——园林建筑卷). Initially built during the Qing Dynasty, the pavilion was destroyed during wartime and underwent several renovations to reach its current scale. The pavilion features a wooden hexagonal structure with three tiers of eaves, topped with glazed tiles. Its beautifully painted beams and golden embellishments create a brilliant spectacle, enhanced by the sound of wind chimes hanging from the eaves.

The pavilion is situated near the small Nanhu Lake, which historically was known as Caohai (草湖), a natural dam pond in the Mengzi area. In the 31st year of the Jiajing era (明嘉靖三十一年), the governor of Lin’an (临安), Zhang Shiyuan (章士元), dispatched a secretary, Zhou Song (周崧), to lead the local people in constructing channels to divert water from nearby springs into the lake. This led to the formation of the ancient scenic feature known as “Four Waters Surrounding Xiang” (四水萦祥).

During a severe drought in the 1st year of the Longqing era (明隆庆元年), Governor Qian Bangcheng (钱邦称) and his assistant Hu Wenxian (胡文显) organized a project to dredge Nanhu Lake. They used the silt from the lake to construct three hills named “Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang” (蓬莱、瀛洲、方丈), which became known as “Three Hills Nurturing Elegance” (三山毓秀).

In the 29th year of the Kangxi era (清康熙二十九年), Wang Laigui (王来贵), acting as the governor of Amei Prefecture (阿弥州), oversaw the dredging of the Fa Guo Spring (法果泉) and the construction of a northern embankment. The local people, grateful for his efforts, built a three-tiered pavilion on the east side of the lake named “Yingxian Pavilion” (瀛仙亭).

In the 14th year of the Guangxu era (清光绪十四年), Yingxian Pavilion was destroyed during the Xianfeng conflict, leading to its reconstruction and renaming as “Yingzhou Pavilion” in the 1st year of the Xuantong era (清宣统元年). Subsequently, officials built an embankment in the lake, dividing Nanhu into large and small lakes, with Yingzhou Pavilion located on the smaller lake.

Architectural Features

Yingzhou Pavilion is a three-tiered hexagonal pavilion with a pointed roof and a unique eave structure. The first level features a circular corridor supported by thirty pillars. The intricate design includes a wooden staircase leading to the third level, which has a coffered ceiling. The base of the pavilion is made of stone, with six stone carvings on either side of the steps, depicting auspicious patterns such as “Phoenix Penetrating Peony” (凤穿牡丹), “Five Blessings Bestowing Longevity” (五福捧寿), and “Deer Holding Lingzhi” (鹿噙灵芝).

Yingzhou Pavilion is historically significant, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and a beautiful environment. It represents a pinnacle of ancient Yunnan architecture and garden landscape design, holding substantial cultural and historical value.

Location

Address: Xiaonan Lake, Mengzi City, Honghe (云南省蒙自市小南湖)

How to Get There

By Public Transport: Regular bus services from Mengzi City center to Nanhu Lake are available, taking approximately 30 minutes.
By Car: The pavilion is accessible by car, with parking available nearby.

Travel Tips

Best Visiting Time: Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting, providing comfortable weather and beautiful scenery.
Photography: Capture the beauty of the pavilion and the surrounding lake, especially during sunrise or sunset.
Local Culture: Attend any local events or ceremonies held at the pavilion to experience the cultural richness of the area.
Nearby Attractions: Explore nearby sites such as the Southwest Associated University Mengzi Branch Memorial Hall (西南联大蒙自分校纪念馆) and the former customs office (蒙自海关旧址) to learn more about the local history.
Respect the Site: Ensure to keep the area clean and respect the historical significance of the pavilion and its surroundings.

Overview

Jade Emperor Pavilion (Yuhuangge, 玉皇阁) is an ancient structure located in Mengzi City (蒙自市), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It was first built in the sixth year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (明万历六年, 1578) and covers an area of 393 square meters.

Architectural Features

The pavilion is a three-tiered, hip-roofed wooden structure that combines the “chuandou” (穿斗) and “tailiang” (抬梁) beam systems. It features a thatched roof and has a side corridor. The square wooden pavilion stands about 20 meters tall, with a width and depth of 19.80 meters. It includes five levels of steps leading to a platform, and the brackets and column heads are decorated with intricate carvings, characteristic of Ming Dynasty architecture.

On either side of the Jade Emperor Pavilion, there are two smaller pavilions built during the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (清雍正年间), both with double-eave hip roofs and similar structural styles.

In recognition of its cultural significance, on October 7, 2019, the pavilion was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Historical Development

The Jade Emperor Pavilion was constructed in the sixth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1578). The adjacent Jianyang Guild Hall (建阳会馆) was established in the 35th year of the Qianlong era (1770) and was rebuilt in the 29th year of the Guangxu era (1903).

Building Layout

The pavilion consists of:

Three tiers of hip roofs, combining the chuandou and tailiang structures.
A total height of approximately 20 meters.
Three main openings and three inner sections, all with dimensions of 19.80 meters.
It has five levels of steps, unique bracket sets, and substantial timber that emphasizes its simplistic yet robust design, reflecting the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.

The two smaller pavilions flanking the main pavilion also follow a double-eave hip-roof design, echoing the styles of the early Qing Dynasty.

Cultural Relics

Inside the Jade Emperor Pavilion, there is a bell cast in the second year of the Jiajing era (嘉靖二年, 1523) by Zhang Qingxi (张清喜), which is approximately four feet tall and eight feet in circumference. Other notable artifacts include inscriptions from the fifth year of the Yongli era (永历五年, 1651) and a memorial tablet from the 26th year of the Kangxi era (康熙二十六年, 1627).

Protection Measures

As of October 7, 2019, the Jade Emperor Pavilion has been recognized and protected as a national key cultural relic unit.

Location

The Jade Emperor Pavilion is located near No. 20, People’s East Road (人民东路), Mengzi City, Yunnan Province.

Address

Yuhuangge, No. 27, People’s East Road (人民东路27号), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Mengzi City (蒙自市).

How to Get There

To reach the Jade Emperor Pavilion:

By Car: From Guizhou, take the Lukun Expressway (泸昆高速), Naxing Expressway (纳兴高速), Shankun Expressway (汕昆高速), Weiyan Expressway (威砚高速), Luyi Expressway (泸弥高速), and Kaihe Expressway (开河高速) to arrive at the pavilion.

Travel Tips

Timing: Visit during the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy a quieter atmosphere.
Photography: Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and surrounding scenery, but remember to respect the site’s significance and the privacy of any visitors.
Local Cuisine: Explore nearby eateries to sample local dishes that reflect the region’s culinary heritage.
Cultural Respect: Be mindful of local customs and practices, particularly in religious areas.
Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially if you’re exploring on a warm day.

Location:

Overview

Laihe Pavilion, originally named Haishan Pavilion (海山亭), is located in Xiaoruicheng Village (小瑞城村), Yilong Town (异龙镇), Shiping County (石屏县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It was built in the sixth year of the Chongzhen era during the Ming Dynasty (明崇祯六年, 1633).

Laihe Pavilion faces east and covers an area of 104.4 square meters. It is constructed in a unique octagonal wooden structure with a single eave and a spire roof. The pavilion’s architectural design cleverly connects it to the back wall of the Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁), eliminating the need for two corners on the west side, making it a rare and uniquely styled structure. In front of the pavilion is Yuhua Terrace (雨花台), with side rooms connected to Wenchang Pavilion. The inscriptions, plaques, and statues on Laihe Pavilion reflect deep historical and cultural significance, along with artistic value.

On March 5, 2013, Laihe Pavilion was announced by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国国务院) as one of the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

Historical Background

Construction: Laihe Pavilion was originally constructed in 1633 during the Ming Dynasty.
Reconstruction: It was rebuilt in the twelfth year of the Kangxi era during the Qing Dynasty (清康熙十二年, 1673).
Further Developments: The Kuixing Pavilion (魁星阁) was established in the fifty-second year of the Kangxi era (清康熙五十二年, 1713).
Renovation: In 2023, the Honghe Cultural and Tourism Bureau (红河州文化和旅游局) repaired Laihe Pavilion.

Architectural Features

Laihe Pavilion is an octagonal wooden structure, measuring 12 meters in width and 6 meters in depth, with a height of 8 meters. The base is made of earth with edges lined with bluestone and brick flooring. It utilizes six short columns with bracket sets that support the eaves. In front of the pavilion is Yuhua Terrace.

Main Buildings

Pavilion: Width of 7.3 meters, depth of 6 meters, and height of 8 meters.
Side Rooms: Symmetrically arranged on the north and south; for example, the southern room measures 3.5 meters in width, 3 meters in depth, and 3.5 meters in height.
Wenchang Pavilion: Located to the west of Laihe Pavilion, it measures 10.7 meters in width, 5 meters in depth, and 13.5 meters in height.
Kuixing Pavilion: Situated along the central axis to the west, measuring 9.4 meters in width, 9 meters in depth, and 12 meters in height.

Cultural Significance

Laihe Pavilion is adorned with a horizontal plaque inscribed with its name, and it features couplets by famous individuals. A statue of Lü Chunyang (吕纯阳) riding a crane and playing the flute is displayed inside. The southern side holds a stele titled “The First Pavilion Under Heaven,” comparing Laihe Pavilion with other renowned scenic spots and expressing a love for the hometown.

Historical Value

The inscriptions, plaques, and sculptures on Laihe Pavilion possess profound historical and cultural connotations and artistic value.

Preservation Status

1991: Designated as a second batch of county-level cultural relic protection units by the Shiping County People’s Government (石屏县人民政府).
1998: Recognized as a fifth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units by the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government (云南省人民政府).
2013: Announced as a seventh batch of national key cultural relic protection units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.