Longtan Sacred Pavilion Introduction
In ancient times, to show respect for the transmission of knowledge and the power of written characters, the "Jingzi Pavilion" or "Xizi Pavilion" was established as a furnace for burning paper with words. The Hakka people have historically placed great importance on the literary tradition, thus many settlements feature such pavilions. The Shengji Pavilion in Longtan is currently the best-preserved and largest "Jingzi Pavilion" in the country, built in 1875 with funds raised by scholar Gu Xiangxian and others. The exterior of the Longtan Shengji Pavilion that we see today was renovated in 1925 during the Japanese colonial period. The entire Shengji Pavilion is designed with a symmetrical layout along its central axis, featuring a pavilion body, middle gate, and front gate, which gives the area a sense of ethereal solemnity and order. The elevated stone pens on both sides enhance the esteemed status of ancient literary culture and respect for written characters, along with the flowing cloud wall and "eight-character" gate making up the middle gate, reflecting the designer's understanding and care for the essence of the "Jingzi Pavilion." Source: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the government.
