The Jiangxin Islets in the Late Qing Dynasty Photoed in about 1878-1880

The Pavilion of Xie

Jiangxin Islets is located on the Oujiang River, the north of downtown. It is one of China's four famous islands and praised as "The Island of Poetry, The Islet of Buddhas". Before the Southern Song Dynasty (A.D.1127－1279), Jiangxin Temple used to be two solitary islets. In the east islet, there is a Puji Buddha Hall and the East Tower built in the Xiantong 7th year (A.D.866) of Tang Dynasty (A.D.618－907) at east courtyard; while in the west islet, there is a Jingxin Buddha Hall built and the West Tower in the Kaibao 2nd year (A.D.969) of Northern Song Dynasty (A.D.960－1127) at west courtyard. 

Jiangxin Islet in Wenzhou, praised as "The Island of Poetry, The Islet of Buddhas"

The historical area of Jiangxin Islets with a total area of 29.05 hectares, is located in the east of Jiangxin Islet to the southern shoreline of the Gongqing Lake. In the historic area, the key protection area is about 7.27 hectares in which the most famous monuments are: the East Tower & the West Tower, a symbol of Wenzhou for pilotage. In 1997, it was designated as one of the world’s 100 historical relics lighthouses by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities(IALA). It is a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit in Zhejiang now. There are the Pavilion of Xie and Chengxian Pavilion built in the west end for commemorating Xie Lingyun, the famous poet of the Southern Dynasties(A.D.420－589). While there are Song Wenxin Ancestral Temple and Haoran Tower built in the east end of Zhongchuan Temple for commemorating Wen Tianxiang, the famous national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty(A.D.1127－1279). Besides, the British Consulate in Wenzhou and the police station which were established in the 20th year of Guangxu Emperor ( A.D.1894) of the Qing Dynasty (A.D.1636-1912) are on the islet too. Jiangxin Temple is the largest architectural complex with a total construction area of 3,100 square meters in Jiangxin Islet. Jiangxin Temple is also a nationally renowned Guanyin Buddhist rite. With a beautiful environment, rich historical relics and a close integration of natural landscapes and humane landscapes, Jiangxin Islet, on the top of the central axis of Wenzhou, now is an indivisible part of the overall urban layout and becomes a landmark.