Longtan Sacred Temple Introduction
In ancient times, people established "Respect the Characters Pavilions" or "Reluctance to Waste Characters Pavilions" to honor the transmission of knowledge and the power that words bring, serving as incineration pavilions for burning paper with characters. The Hakka people have traditionally placed great importance on literary culture, leading to the establishment of such pavilions in their settlements. The Shengji Pavilion in Longtan is currently the best-preserved and largest Respect the Characters Pavilion in the country, built in 1875 with the funding of scholar Gu Xiangxian and others. The appearance of the Shengji Pavilion we see today was renovated during the Japanese colonial period in 1925. The entire pavilion is designed with a symmetrical layout along a central axis, featuring the main pavilion, central gate, and main gate, which gives the whole area a sense of ethereal solemnity and order. The raised stone pens on both sides enhance the elevated status of ancient literary culture and reverence for written characters, while the flowing cloud walls and the huitzi door of the central gate reflect the designer's understanding and intention regarding the essence of the Respect the Characters Pavilion. Source: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the government.
