Introduction of Municipal and County-level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Huilai County

Municipal-level Cultural Relic Protection Units

1. Wenchang Tower

Wenchang Tower, located inside Kuiyang Park in Huicheng Town, Huilai County, was built during Ming Dynasty in 1604. The tower was reconstructed in 1687 and renovated in 1737. The height of the tower is 25 meters, its perimeter is 29.76 meters and its foundation perimeter is 41.84 meters. The tower is a three-floor attic-styled ancient masonry tower, with the shape of octagon. Wenchang Tower has unique architecture style and traditional characteristics of ancient Chinese art. The tower remains certain value in studying the architectural structure of Ming Dynasty. In 1979, the tower was announced to be the county-level cultural relic protection unit, by the government of Huilai county. In August of 2009, it was enlisted to the fifth batch of Jieyang municipal-level cultural relic protection units.

County-level Cultural Relic Protection Units

1. Zishen Cannon Fortress

Zishen Cannon Fortress was originally called the Shibei’ao Cannon Fortress. It is located at one kilometer east of Zishen village, Jinghai town, Huilai county. The fortress was built in Ming Dynasty, together with Jinghai Cannon Fortress, which is 10 kilometers away, two fortresses can form cross fire to defend Jinghai Harbour. Zishen Cannon was built for the purpose of defending Japanese pirates. Officer Lin Zexu used to led Qing’s navy to capture 20,000 kilograms of opium from Japanese smugglers, and destroyed the opium in Zishen Cannon Fortress. In 1717, the fortress had strengthened its defence force by installed 6 cannons and 18 barrack houses, and appointed one military officer and 18 soldiers. The foundation of fortress is made of brick, stone and sands. The shape of fortress is rectangle, with length of 22 meters and width of 15 meters. The fortress is valuable for historian to study the military relic of Ming Dynasty, therefore, it was announced by Huilai county government to be the county-level cultural relic protection unit in October 1983. This year, Huilai county government had spent 1.5 million yuan of special funds for the restoration of Zishen Cannon Fortress, and now the restoration works had been completed. Meanwhile, the fortress has applied for the provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, now the procedure is at the phase of public disclosure.

Zishen Cannon Fortress is surrounded by sea on three sides and it is one of fascinating landscape and historical ruin with broad view. The county has planned to invest 6.436 million yuan to construct an anti-drug theme park. The park has the total area of 36,000 square meters, and the construction will be split to two phases. The first phase will construct landscapes, facilities, green band, coastal tour road. The second phase will construct anti-drug avenue, entrance of seaside green road and two ecological parking lots.

2. Minghu Grotto

Minghu Grotto was built in the South Song Dynasty (1265AD). It was reconstructed for many times in the past history. In 1987, it was reconstructed again and opened to the public. It is one of eight Huilai’s famous scenic spots. In January 1989, it was approved by Huilai government to be included into the list of Huilai’s county-level cultural relic protection units. The grotto is famous for its strange shape.

3. Former Office of Huilai’s Soviet Government

The former office of Huilai’s soviet government is located at the south of Yanlin village, Huilai county, the locals also call it Laolun Cave. The office was built inside this natural cave, whose depth is about 100 meters. From 1929 to 1935, Huilai’s soviet government and its officers had moved to this cave to continue their red revolutionary fighting against their enemies. Later the cave was damaged during enemies’ second mass assault, the government officers were evacuated to other places. In 1979, this site was included to the list of county-level cultural relic protection units, by Huilai county government. It is also a good place for patriotism education.

4. Former Conference Site of Chaoyang-Puning-Huilai Counties Peasant Rebellion

　 The former conference site of Chaoyang-Puning-Huilai Counties Peasant Rebellion is located inside Linzhang village, Huilai county, Jieyang, it was also called Sanshan Shrine. This 250 square meters architectures were built at Qing Dynasty, in accordance with the structure of three walk-in entrances quadrangle. On May 5, 1928, revolutionist Peng Pai held conference to launch the peasant rebellion in Chaoyang, Puning and Huilai counties. There were 18 county party secretaries and committee members attended the conference. The list of 89 revolutionary martyrs of Helin district is still stored inside the shrine. In 1983, the conference site was included in the list of county-level cultural relic protection units of Huilai. It is a good place for patriotism education.

5. Former Site of Chaoyang-Puning-Huilai Administrative Committee

The Former Site of Chaoyang-Puning-Huilai Administrative Committee is located in Linzhang village, Huilai county, Jieyang, it was also called Chaoda Lingong Shrine. According to the record, it was built during the period of Republic of China. The architecture is facing south and built in accordance with the structure of three walk-in entrances quadrangle, it has a construction area of 144 square meter. In June 1948, Chaoyang-Puning-Huilai Administrative Committee was founded here and began its operation to lead governmental affairs in different liberated areas. In November 1984, it was included in the list of county-level cultural relic protection units of Huilai. It is a good place for patriotism education.