Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple

Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple

The Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Yingkou City.

The Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple is located on the eastern temple mountain in Xiaowanghai Village, Lutun Town, Bayuquan District. The Bohai Bay lies 3 kilometers to the west, and the pavilion sits on a sunny, flat slope of land about 50 meters from the mountain peak.

The Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple is a square, four-pillared, hip-and-gable style granite building oriented 35 degrees northwest. Its four corners are supported by four square stone pillars spaced 213 centimeters apart, which uphold the beam frame and the hip-and-gable roof of the pavilion. The stone pillars are 348 meters tall, with stone bases at their feet. The upper halves of the pillars are carved into octagonal shapes. The lintels above support intersecting stone beams, which in turn hold up stone slab roofing. Each of the front and rear slopes is made up of three stone slabs laid transversely. The roofing slabs are carved with decorative elements such as tubular tiles, tile ends, and water drips. Beneath the corners hang rings for wind chimes used to scare off birds. The caisson ceiling is of a “dou-four” cross-shaped design, with intersecting stone beams at the center supporting a square frame, upon which square melon-shaped columns hold up two layers of beams, and the second layer of beams supports the ridge purlin. The beam lintel on the front facade, facing northwest, is carved with the four characters “Xi Wu Si Wen” (meaning roughly “Bestow martial valor, ponder culture”). The stone pillars bear a couplet: “The clear ringing can startle guests beyond the clouds; the morning bell awakens dreamers in their sleep.” An ancient bell hanging ring is found on the ridge purlin of the pavilion, though the bell itself is no longer there.

From its overall form to each individual component, the Bell Pavilion is entirely constructed from assembled stone frameworks. Through precise design and artistic stone-carving craftsmanship, it achieves a unity of architectural function, structure, and artistry. Its appearance is simple yet elegant and dignified—free from excessive embellishment or ornate decoration. It preserves the classical ethnic style of traditional Chinese architecture while also reflecting strong local characteristics. This locally sourced stone structure is highly resistant to damage, simple, practical, and fully demonstrates the wisdom and ingenuity of the ancient Chinese laboring people. It stands as one of the masterpieces of Qing Dynasty ancient architecture.

In 1983, the Bell Pavilion of the Dragon Mother Temple was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit. In 2012, the Yingkou Municipal People’s Government (Ying Zheng [2012] No. 173) announced it as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit. The cultural relic protection scope and construction control zone designated by the Yingkou Municipal People’s Government (Ying Zheng [2013] No. 185) are as follows: the protection area extends 2 meters outward from the projection boundary of the Bell Pavilion; the Class I construction control zone lies within 15 meters outside the protection area.

Source: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, News, and Broadcasting; Contributor: Dong Wenjie

Xiaowanghai Village: Xiaowanghai Village…… More details about Xiaowanghai Village++