Zui Sheng Temple

Zui Sheng Temple

Zui Sheng Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

Zui Sheng Temple is located at the eastern foot of Guogong Mountain, north of the western end of Wangjiang East Road. The temple faces east and is built along the mountain slope. It consists of a courtyard-style wooden structure comprising the mountain gate, Vajra Hall, Mahavira Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, side chambers on both sides, and enclosing walls. The mountain gate is situated at the far east, facing south and built along a north-south axis. It is a single-bay, hip-and-gable roof wooden structure. At its center is the bluestone plaque inscribed with “Zui Sheng Lay Buddhist Grove,” flanked by bluestone couplets. The interior caisson ceiling features two jumps, with a small tubular tile roof and ornamental ridge beasts. To the south of the mountain gate is a flight of steps. The Vajra Hall and Mahavira Hall are aligned along the same axis. The Vajra Hall is three bays wide, a hard mountain-style wooden structure with a central pillar grounded in a divided-heart post-and-lintel and through-tenon style framework, featuring front and rear corridors, and a depth of six pillars and eleven rafters. The floor is paved with bluestone slabs, and the roof is covered with tubular tiles and ornamental ridge beasts. West of the Vajra Hall lies a courtyard, with three-bay single-slope roof corridors on the east and west sides, featuring post-and-lintel frameworks. These are connected to the Vajra Hall’s framework at the corners using pendant lotus columns. To the west of the courtyard is the Mahavira Hall, with a hard mountain roof and a tubular tile and ridge beast wooden structure. It is three bays wide, featuring a mixed post-and-lintel and through-tenon framework. The front is adorned with lattice doors. To the west of the Mahavira Hall is the Thousand Buddha Hall, rebuilt in 2000. It is a three-bay hard mountain-style wooden structure with a front corridor, and a depth of five pillars and eleven rafters. The central bay features a post-and-lintel framework, while the side bays use a mixed post-and-lintel and through-tenon framework. South of the courtyard between the three halls and the mountain gate is a pavilion named Mingsheng Yuan Pavilion. It has a hexagonal plan and a pyramidal roof. It is likely a later addition. To the northeast of the three halls is a two-story scripture depository. To the west of the depository is the kitchen. To the south is an ancient well, with a well curb made of eight bluestone slabs joined together. The well ring is paved with flat bluestones, and the well wall is built with block stones. Zui Sheng Temple was originally built in the second year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1427), funded by Huang Huai, a grand secretary of the Ming Dynasty, and was rebuilt during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1862–1874). It was designated as the fourth batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units in Wenzhou in 2000.

Protection Level: County (City/District)-Level Cultural Relic Protection Unit

Period: Qing Dynasty

Designation Date: April 2, 2000

Category: Ancient Architecture

Protected Area: Bounded by the surrounding walls of the building.

Building Control Zone: Extending 30 meters outward from the boundary of the protected area.