Fire engulfs reconstructed pavilion at historic Yongqing Temple in Jiangsu

WEB DESK: A fire broke out at the historic Yongqing Temple in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, damaging a reconstructed pavilion but causing no casualties, authorities said.

The blaze erupted at 11:24am in the three-storey wooden Wenchang Pavilion, sending thick black smoke over the area. Firefighters later brought the flames under control, leaving only the concrete frame of the structure intact. The temple has been temporarily closed, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Yongqing Temple, located at the western foot of Fenghuang Mountain, has a history of more than 1,500 years. Originally built in 536 AD during the Southern Liang dynasty, it was celebrated as one of the “480 splendid temples” of the era and remains an important cultural site in the Jiangnan region.

The original Wenchang Pavilion — once known as the hermitage of Shi Naian, author of Water Margin, one of China’s four classical literary masterpieces — was demolished in 1958. The current structure was rebuilt in the 1990s as part of broader restoration efforts.