Jinxi: a resting place for souls

Lotus Pond Temple

In memory of Concubine Chen, Emperor Xiaozong of Song built this temple, a Buddhist resort facing north.

Water Tomb of Princess Chen

Jinxi, formerly known as Chen's Tomb, already showed signs of prosperity even in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-256 BC).

Jinxi was named "Chen's Tomb" for over 840 years in the past 2000 years. It related to a woman in the Song Dynasty (AD 420-479).

Water Tomb of Princess Chen [Photo from Kunshan Tourism Resort]

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the army of the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) invaded once again. They occupied Yangzhou after crossing the Huaihe River and then reached Lin'an, the capital of Song.

The royal family of the Southern Song Dynasty was very disconcerted. Crown Prince Zhao Wei led the army to fight against the enemy. The army of the Jin Dynasty was destroyed within two hours. However, at that moment, an arrow was shot towards Zhao Wei from the reeds; but, Princess Chen, not Zhao Wei, was hit.

In memory of Princess Chen, a new kind of top-quality wine was made based on the imperial wine sent by Zhao Wei, using the brewing technology of "Qin Nectar". It was named "Princess Chen Nectar".

"Princess Chen Nectar" not only uses the new sticky rice in the south of the Yangtze River and pure and clear water from Wubao Lake as raw materials, but also maintains the royal style of imperial wine, so it gives out a unique flavor. From then on, "Princess Chen Nectar" has been passed on from generation to generation in Suzhou.

"Princess Chen Nectar", a wine in honor of Princess Chen, who assisted Prince Zhao Wei with the Jin invaders.[Photo from Kunshan Tourism Resort

It is said that after Princess Chen was shot to death when accompanying Crown Prince Zhao Wei when fighting against the Jin Kindom in Jinxi, Zhao Wei was deeply grieved and buried Princess Chen in Wubao Lake. Then he received an imperial edict and returned to Linan, then the capital city.

Emperor Gaozong gave up the throne, whence Zhao Wei then ascended the throne and was regarded as Song Xiaozong. Although the country was in a state of crisis and the fight with the Jin was continuous, Xiaozong missed the deceased Princess Chen very much.

In her memory, Zhao Wei ordered a temple to be built at the side of Wubao Lake in the autumn of the year when he ascended the throne so as to chant and release souls from purgatory for her. Jinxi was named as "Chen Tomb" for the next 830 years.

The Water Tomb of Princess Chen in Wubao Lake became a famous historical site of Jinxi. From the Song Dynasty, many writers and poets wrote a large quantity of articles and poetry here.