A famous Lingnan shrine, Leizu Shrine is located five li (2.5 km) southwest of Leizhou City on Yingbang Hill. Nestled between mountains and water, it boasts beautiful scenery known as "The Soaring Wonder of Lei Hill," one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Leiyang. It is also a major center of folk belief in Guangdong雷州市人民政府.
Built in 642 (the 16th year of the Zhenguan reign of the Tang Dynasty), the shrine commemorates Chen Wenyu (Leizu), the first magistrate of Leizhou in the Tang Dynasty雷州市人民政府.
According to legend, during the reign of Emperor Chen Xuan, a farmer named Chen Hong in Baiyuan Village (five li southwest of ancient Hezhou City) found a large egg while hunting. The next day, dark clouds gathered, thunder roared, and the egg cracked open in a clap of lightning, revealing a baby boy with characters on his palms: "Lei" on the left and "Zhou" on the right. Chen Hong reported this to the local official, who kept the eggshell and entrusted the boy to Chen Hong for adoption, naming him Chen Wenyu.
During the Zhenguan reign, to stabilize the border, the imperial court appointed the local-born Chen Wenyu as magistrate of Leizhou. Recognizing Leizhou’s strategic importance in the south, Chen rebuilt the city walls with his own salary when public funds were insufficient. He also renamed ancient Hezhou to Leizhou. To honor his virtuous rule, the local people built a shrine on Yingbang Hill, five li southwest of the city—the present-day Leizu Shrine.
Tips:
Admission: 20 RMB
Visiting time: 1 hour
The renowned ancient folk custom "Leizhou Drum Exchange"—one of the Four Wonders Under Heaven (along with the Qiantang River Tide, Guangde’s Underground Cave, and Dengzhou’s Mirage)—originated at Leizu Shrine雷州市人民政府.
"Leizhou Drum Exchange" was a grand Thunder Worship ceremony held by ancient Leizhou people at the shrine雷州市人民政府. Records of Leizu states: "…Thunder chariots and drums were stored in the temple. Villagers drafted for labor would replicate them. On the Lantern Festival, civil and military officials gathered at the temple to offer sacrifices, called ‘Opening the Thunder.’ Feasts were held… Officials and people rejoiced, ensuring favorable weather. Neglecting the ritual brought disasters. Thus, prayers were always answered, and Leizhou enjoyed peace and prosperity."New Accounts of Guangdong notes: "On the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, Leizhou people offer sacrifices to the Thunder God. If they obtain ‘Thunder God Ink’ (a black, shiny meteorite), it is used to ward off evil and cure convulsions in children." Ancient Leizhou people revered the Thunder God as a powerful force for good or ill, hence the grandeur of the ceremony. Today, "Leizhou Drum Exchange" is lost, known only through ancient texts雷州市人民政府.
The art of Leizhou stone dog carving is believed to originate from the ancient Baiyue people’s dog totem worship and local legends of auspicious dog ears and the birth of Leizu雷州市人民政府. Stone dogs preserved at Leizu Shrine (Tang Dynasty), Xiajiang Tianhou Palace (Song Dynasty), and Liuzu Hall (Yuan Dynasty) attest to its long history雷州市人民政府.
As a sacred symbol of folk belief, stone dogs were gradually deified, embodying multiple roles: bringing good fortune, praying for rain and children, exorcising evil, protecting the community, and marking ceremonial occasions. Carving techniques evolved accordingly, creating diverse images in appearance, posture, expression, form, and ornamentation雷州市人民政府.
Built in 642, Leizu Shrine is dedicated to Chen Wenyu. Constructed against the hill, it overlooks endless farmland below, creating a magnificent landscape雷州市人民政府. The three-courtyard complex includes a main gate, main hall, side halls, rear hall, east and west corridors, bell and drum towers, and a stone tablet gallery, all aligned along a central axis in a distinct Tang Dynasty style雷州市人民政府.
The shrine houses a wealth of cultural relics, including thousand-year-old stone statues, a plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong, and over 30 ancient stone tablets. Countless poems by celebrated literati adorn its walls, forming a precious cultural legacy雷州市人民政府.
The plaque "Flourishing in Season, Nurturing All Things" above the main hall’s front pavilion was written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty雷州市人民政府.
The five-dynasty stone statues are the oldest relics at Leizu Shrine. It is puzzling that they stand unprotected in the open air.
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