Han Yu Memorial Temple
韩文公祠
A shrine on Bijia Mountain on the east bank of the Han River, dedicated to the Tang scholar Han Yu. It is the oldest surviving shrine in China devoted to Han Yu, and climbing it offers views over Guangji Bridge and the old city of Chaozhou.
Han Yu Memorial Temple sits at the foot of Bijia Mountain (Han Mountain) on the east bank of the Han River. It faces Guangji Bridge across the river. It commemorates Han Yu, who was demoted to governor of Chaozhou in 819, in the 14th year of the Yuanhe era. Han Yu spent only eight months in Chaozhou, but he drove out crocodiles that threatened the people and promoted education and farming. The people of Chaozhou still remember him. The river was renamed the Han River and the mountain Han Mountain in his honor. The shrine was first built in the Northern Song dynasty. The surviving main structures date from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Stone-tablet galleries line the stairs that climb the mountain, housing inscriptions by famous figures from many dynasties. The main hall has a statue of Han Yu and plaques reading 'Merit Second to None' among others. Behind the shrine, the Chamberlain Pavilion overlooks the Han River, Guangji Bridge and the old city of Chaozhou. It is one of the best places to photograph the full view of Guangji Bridge. Admission is low, about 20 yuan, and free at certain times. A visit takes about 1 hour. Beside the shrine are Han Shan Normal University and a riverside boardwalk along the Han River for walking. Getting there: it is about a 10-minute walk from the east bank of Guangji Bridge, or about a 10-minute taxi ride across the bridge from the old city. Recommended plan: combine it with Guangji Bridge. In the morning, cross from the old city to Han Yu Memorial Temple, then return. Notes: there are many steps. There are many stone tablets, so consider a guided tour. In the afternoon, the light is backlit, so the best time to photograph the full view of Guangji Bridge is in the morning.
Opening hours
08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Guangji Bridge
- Guangji Gate & Chaozhou City Wall
- Kaiyuan Temple, Chaozhou
- Jilue Huang Ancestral Hall
- Haiyang County Confucian Temple
- Jiadi Lane
- Xu Fuma Mansion
- Chaozhou West Lake