Xinghua Dongyue Temple

Xinghua Dongyue Temple

Xinghua Dongyue Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Xinghua City.

Xinghua Dongyue Temple is located at No. 41 Pailou Road in downtown Xinghua. The main structure was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424), while the Four Saints Temple was constructed in the late Yuan Dynasty, during the Zhizheng era (1341–1368), making it the largest Taoist complex in Xinghua’s history. The site underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as well as in modern times, but fell into disrepair due to war. The remaining structures (the main hall of Dongyue Temple, as well as halls such as the Four Saints Temple and the God of Wealth Shrine) were used by cultural authorities after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The main hall features a front and rear section connected by a rolled shed roof, creating a deep and spacious interior. The front hall has three bays and seven rafters with a flush gable roof, spanning 15 meters in width. The rear hall stands 18 meters tall, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof and a square caisson ceiling inside. The front and rear halls are joined by a five-rafter rolled shed, where layers of intricately crafted brackets create an exceptionally rare architectural feature in China. From the outside, the hall presents a grand double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with nine ridges and upturned corners. The eaves are adorned with brackets, lintels, and spandrels. Under the tiled eaves hang decorative aprons and wind chimes. At the center of the ridge sits a bronze gourd-shaped treasure bottle, flanked by mythical beast heads. Each ridge is decorated with figures of immortals and mythical animals. The structure is majestic and imposing in scale.

In 2008, the temple was largely restored to its historical appearance. In addition to the main hall, the mountain gate, the Ten Kings Hall, the Wenchang Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, the Doumu Hall, the Four Saints Hall, the Lüzu Hall, the Cihang Hall, the Longevity Courtyard, the Baoyi Pavilion, and the stele corridor were all reconstructed.

Xinghua Dongyue Temple is not only a physical representation of Xinghua’s religious and historical culture, but also a masterpiece of ancient architecture, boasting significant historical, artistic, and technological value. It is now open to the public as a Taoist activity site.

In 1986, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit by the Xinghua County People’s Government.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units