Memorial · Beijing
黑龙潭及龙王庙简介牌
The plaque at Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool) and Longwangmiao (Dragon King Temple) commemorates a significant historical site that served as a place of prayer for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This location was specifically used for imperial rain prayers, reflecting its importance in traditional Chinese belief systems and imperial rituals. The complex itself is composed of various architectural elements, including the Black Dragon Pool, surrounding corridors, and the Dragon King Temple to its west, along with several stone tablets, some dating back to the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras. The site's enduring historical and cultural value was formally recognised in 1984 when it was designated a Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Unit.
The memorial plaque stands within a landscape deeply rooted in centuries of Chinese imperial and religious practice. The tradition of emperors praying for rain at significant natural or sacred sites underscores the vital connection between imperial authority, natural phenomena, and spiritual beliefs in pre-modern China. Such practices were not merely symbolic but were seen as essential for the well-being of the realm, particularly for a society dependent on agriculture. The repeated renovations and imperial decrees regarding the Dragon King, such as the enthronement of the 'Zhaoling Peize Dragon King God' in 1738, highlight the continuous reverence for these deities and the sustained importance of the site through different dynastic periods. Its designation as a cultural heritage unit in the late 20th century further affirms its lasting historical significance.
The plaque is situated at the Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool) and Longwangmiao (Dragon King Temple) complex in Beijing. Visitors to this historical site will encounter the Dragon King Temple, which is built into a hillside, facing east. The complex encompasses the Black Dragon Pool, exterior corridors, and the temple itself. Within the temple grounds, there are various stelae, including those commemorating past renovations from the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods, as well as imperial tablets. The entire site offers an opportunity to explore traditional Chinese architecture and historical memorialisation within a culturally significant setting.
Inscription
“黑龙潭及龙王庙 明清两朝皇帝祈雨的地方。明成化二十二年（1486年）、万历十四年（1586年）、清康熙二十年（1581年）均有重修。清乾隆三年（1738年）封龙神为昭灵沛泽龙王之神。由黑龙潭及潭外回廊和潭西龙王庙等多种建筑与石碑组成。龙王庙坐西朝东，依山而建，庙内现存明、清及民国重修碑、御制碑等多块。1984年公布为北京市文物保护单位。”
Background
Hubei province in the People's Republic of China is divided into formal administrative units, structured in a hierarchy. Township-level divisions form the fourth tier of this organisation. These are found beneath province, prefecture, and county formations.
Figures compiled in late 2017 indicate over a thousand such divisions within Hubei. This included a mix of subdistricts, towns, and townships, with several of the latter being designated as ethnic townships.
Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.