The ‘Shou’ character stele is a treasured imperial brushwork by Empress Dowager Cixi, and it is a key cultural relic under special protection in Sanya. According to the ‘Yazhou Chronicles’, the stele was engraved in the 28th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (1902). The person who erected the stele was ‘Wang Gen’, a native of Xiangxiang, Hunan, who was known for his painting skills. During Cixi’s sixtieth birthday, Emperor Guangxu appreciated his painting and ordered him to create a screen for the celebration. The paintings created by Wang Gen were praised by both Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu.
The stele is open to the public from 06:30 to 17:30 all year round, with specific business hours subject to the day’s opening status.
