The Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace

The Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace

The Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace is a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit in Suqian City.

A municipal-level cultural relic protection unit, officially known as the Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace, is located at the northern end of Tongling Street (now East Caishenmiao Street). It was first built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. The architectural layout of the Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace features a front gate (mountain gate) that is three bays wide (10 meters) and five rafters deep (5.5 meters), with a ridge height of 6 meters. It has a brick-and-wood structure with a flush gable roof. The mountain gate consists of upper and lower levels, with the upper level serving as a stage and the lower level as the main entrance. Above the center of the gate’s facade is embedded a stone plaque inscribed with bold, upright characters reading “The Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace.” This type of gatehouse with an integrated stage is now very rare, leading cultural relics experts to note that Suqian’s Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace holds certain value for the study of ancient temple and stage architecture. Upon entering the mountain gate, one faces the main hall — the principal structure of the palace. The main hall is three bays wide, built with a brick-and-wood structure, and approached by stone steps one meter high. Inside the hall are statues of the main deity, the City God, as well as statues of the judge and yamen runners. In front of the hall is a platform used for watching performances. To the east of the main hall are three auxiliary rooms, and to the west, six auxiliary rooms, which were used to accommodate local officials and provide lodging for caretakers.

After the liberation, due to the eradication of feudal ideas, the Enfeoffed Xianyou Marquis’ Temporary Palace was left vacant and fell into long-term disrepair. In the autumn of 2004, following the advice of provincial cultural relics experts, the municipal government funded the restoration of the mountain gate and removed the illegally constructed auxiliary buildings.