Lin Zexu Memorial Hall

Lin Zexu Memorial Hall

It was built to commemorate Lin Zexu (August 30,1785 - November 22,1850), an official of Qing Dynasty and a National patriot during the Opium War. Lin Zexu was born in Fuzhou the capital of Fujian province, later in 1811 he acquired the Jinshi degree; the highest rank of imperial examination. Lin Zexu rose rapidly in his provincial service and later became Governor-General of Hubei and Hunan, where he launched an opium suppression campaign.

Known for his dedication, loyalty and high competency, Lin Zexu was sent to Guangdong province as imperial envoy by Emperor Daoguang in 1838 to halt the illegal importation of opium from the British. He arrived in Guangdong by March 1839 and made immediate impact on the opium trade within a matter of months. The most outstanding achievement of Lin Zexu was the destruction of 1.2 million kilograms opium in Humen beach. This action brings great inspiration the Chinese people throughout the country and fiercely discouraging the British opium traders. To commemorate his tremendous contributions, people built the Hall of Master Lin in 1905, which was restored and renamed the Lin Zexu Memorial Hall in 1982.

Lin Zexu Memorial Hall is situated in Fuzhou city, covering an area of 3,000 square meters. The memorial hall built in the style of the gardens in Jiangnan (a region in the lower Yangtze River Valley) and one of the main historical sites in Fujian province. On the screen wall facing the gate of the memorial hall is a large relief of "Burning Opium at Humen", on either side of the corridor are displayed over 20 boards inscribed with the official posts Lin Zexu once held.

Beside to commemorate the heroic action of Lin Zexu, the memorial hall also kept his private collections such as Lin’s handwritting, his poems, seals, and other related documents. The most precious relics are the manuscript of his finalized poems and the handwritten of Lin Binri (Lin Zexu father).