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The existing structures of the Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu were rebuilt in the eleventh year (1672) of the reign of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It covers an area of fifty-six mu. Backing the north and facing the south, the ancestral temple was surrounded by a red wall with patina and elegance. The layout in the ancestral temple is compact with five courtyards. The main structures consist of the main entrance, the second entrance, the Hall of Liu Bei, the lobby and the Hall of Zhu Geliang. The halls and porches are connected harmoniously and artistically.
Behind the second entrance is the Hall of Liu Bei, which is high, grand and gorgeous. In the center of the hall stands the gilt statue of Liu Bei. On the east wall of the hall is the woodcarving Long Zhong Du by Zhu Geliang, which was made out by the modern calligraphist Zhen Yinmo. And on the west wall is the woodcarving Chu Shi Biao, which is said to be made out by Yue Fei, a national hero in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In the east and west wing halls of the Hall of Liu Bei stand the statues of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others. Along the east and west porches stand twenty-eight officials and officers of the Shu Han Kingdom.
The yard behind the main entrance is quiet and elegant, sheltered by luxuriantly green pines and cypresses. Among those old cypresses stand six steles. The largest one was engraved and set up in the fourth year (809) of the reign of Emperor Xianzong in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The epigraph was drafted by famous prime minister Pei Du at that time, made out by the well-known calligraphist Liu Gongzhuo and engraved by Lu Jian. For the article, the calligraphy and the engraving were all of the first class, the stele was reputed as the Stele of Three Superb Works by the later generations.
Today, there is a large temple here containing a statue of Zhuge Liang and an impressive Three Wonders Tablet, so called because it contains exquisite examples of calligraphy, carving and poetry. The tomb of the founder of the Shu dynasty, Liu Bei, is also here. A fascinating site for those knowledgeable in Chinese history and legend.
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