Imposing, full of vibrant colours and framed by abundant nature, the Five Ancient Ministers Memorial Temple, or Wugong Ci, is one of the jewels of Hainan Island.

With an area of about 2,800 square meters, this complex is located southeast of the city of Haikou. Inside, it preserves an oasis of peace and tranquillity, where centuries of history, knowledge and culture are waiting to be encountered by visitors.

Five Ancient Ministers Memorial Temple was built in the reign of Emperor Wanli, during the Ming Dynasty period, as a memorial shrine, to pay tribute to five officers, who were sent into exile in Hainan. Since then, it has undergone several renovations that have allowed it to resist, practically untouchable, the passage of time.

Currently, the complex houses different spaces such as the Five Lords Ancestral Hall, Sugong Memorial Temple, Fubo Memorial Temples, Guanjia Tang and Xuepu Tang.

Five Lords Ancestral Hall

The Five Lords Ancestral Hall is the main attraction of this space. It was built in memory of the Chancellor of Tang, Li Deyu, and the ministers of Song, Li Gang, Li Guang, Zhao Ding and Hu Quan. The five men were banished and sent to the island of Hainan during the Tang and Song dynasties. In the main hall of this space, picture perfect, you can see statues of the officials. Additionally, visitors can contemplate a stone carved with inscriptions by Emperor Huizong, from the Song dynasty period.

Sugong Memorial Temple

In the eastern part of the Temple of Five Lords, the Sugong Temple, built in honour of Su Dongpo, is a reminder of the contribution of one of the greatest poets of the Song dynasty to the local community. Dongpo dug two springs when he learned that the local population was facing water shortages. One of the springs still exists today.

Xuepu Tang & Wugong Jingshe

Embraced in the fragrant scent of flowers and trees, Xuepu Tang and Wugong Jingshe are on the right side of the Temple of Five Lords. The first building was where Guo Wanxiang gave lectures. The second was where students in Hainan province learned history and literature in the late Qing dynasty.

Perfect for contemplating the beauty of oriental architecture and carved stones as well as enjoying the coolness of the water wells and the surrounding nature, the Temple of Five Lords is located about five kilometres from Haikou City. Ready to hit the road?