The newly renovated Taibo Temple opened on Saturday, welcoming visitors from around the country.

The renovated Taibo Temple in Suzhou opened on May 18, or International Museum Day. [Photo/Suzhou Daily]

The temple and the Calligraphy Museum Wu Branch will offer free admission to residents in Suzhou city.

Taibo is considered to be the founder of the State of Wu. The Temple of Taibo in Suzhou was originally built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, experiencing times of destruction and renovations throughout years.

As an important part of the renovation project of Taohuawu district in Suzhou, special protection and renovation procedures started in late 2011.

Covering an area of 7,492 square meters, the temple now is a replica of its heyday during the Qing Dynasty.

Now, the eastern part of the temple is for the worship of Taibo, and sculptures of Taibo, Zhongyong and Jili are installed in several halls here. Commemorative plaques about Taibo written by Chinese emperors from the Qing Dynasty as well as works by Confucius and historian Sima Qian can also be seen.

Also on display in the eastern room is information about the history and culture of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period.

Born into the Ji clan of Zhou, Taibo was the oldest son of Ji Dan, grandfather of Ji Chang, the first king of Zhou. Taibo had two younger brothers, Zhongyong and Jili. Ji Dan wanted to make Jili, who had become renowned for his wisdom, his heir. So Taibo abandoned his heritage and fled to an undeveloped area in what is now East China with Zhongyong. They settled in Meili in present-day Jiangsu province.

The western part of the scenic area is for displaying Chinese calligraphy works by the Wu Branch during mid-Ming Dynasty.

Suzhou, with a history of 2,500 years, is the first city to be known for Chinese calligraphy so named by the China Calligraphers Association.