Zuiweng Pavilion, Ancient pavilion in Chuzhou, China.
Zuiweng Pavilion is a wooden structure on raised ground near Chuzhou featuring traditional Chinese architecture with curved roofs and detailed carved elements throughout. The building combines classical design with its setting of mountains and flowing water.
Ouyang Xiu was exiled to Chuzhou as its governor in the sixth year of the Qingli era (1046), during the Northern Song; he called himself the "Old Toper", which gave the pavilion its name. The structure standing today was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).
The name comes from Ouyang Xiu's self-chosen title "Old Toper" (Zuiweng), which he took when demoted to Chuzhou prefect in 1046. His prose piece Zuiweng Tingji, containing the line "the Old Toper's heart is not in the wine, but in the mountains and waters," made the pavilion and Mount Langya famous.
The site is accessible daily, and visitors can reach it by local buses from central Chuzhou or join organized tour groups. The grounds are relatively easy to explore, particularly if you arrive early to avoid crowds.
A Buddhist priest named Zhi Xian selected this specific location and integrated natural features like mountain views and flowing water into the overall design. This relationship between the building and its landscape sets it apart from similar structures of its era.
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