Wenchang Pavilion: A timeless cultural gem in SZ

Amidst the soaring skyscrapers and cutting-edge tech hubs that define Shenzhen as a global megacity, an ancient treasure quietly stands the test of time. Tucked between modern factories and traditional Lingnan-style houses, the Wenchang Pavilion (文昌阁) — Shenzhen’s only well-preserved ancient tower — offers a striking contrast to the city’s futuristic facade.

The Wenchang Pavilion. File photo

Located near Gushu Village (固戍村) in Bao’an District, the three-story blue-brick pavilion, adorned with intricate carvings and upturned eaves, dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Restored multiple times over centuries, it remains a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and the local community’s enduring reverence for education and literary prosperity.

Rising 12 meters tall, the square-shaped pavilion features a granite base designed to withstand typhoons and humidity. Its walls, built with meticulously fitted blue bricks bound by sticky rice mortar mixed with crushed seashells, whisper tales of ancient craftsmanship. Each tier of the pavilion bears inscribed stone lintels.

Local legend says these inscriptions were left by an immortal and mirror the path of scholars in imperial China’s rigorous examination system.

Folklore claims Gushu Village once suffered from unstable terrain, likened to a restless ox’s head. A wandering monk advised building the pavilion atop the “ox’s nose,” anchored by 12 granite pillars, to stabilize the land. Topped with a wooden “scholar’s brush” spire (now lost), the pavilion allegedly brought prosperity, transforming the area into a thriving hub.

Declared a municipal heritage site in 1984, the pavilion underwent meticulous restoration in 1992, with each brick numbered and reassembled. Today, illuminated by warm golden lights at night, it stands as a quiet counterpoint to Shenzhen’s breakneck pace.

Location: Southern area of Gushu Village, Bao’an District (宝安区固戍村南滨海处)

Getting there: Take Metro Line 1 to Xixiang Station (西乡站), then take a taxi; or take a 10-minute bus ride from the Metro station to Gushu Village.