Zhao Archaeological Temple

Zhao Archaeological Temple

Zhao Archaeological Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Yuyao City.

Zhao Archaeological Temple is a well-known memorial building in Yuyao City, situated at No. 26 Sunxing Lane, Yuyao Town. It was constructed during the Ming Jiajing period to honor Zhao Qian, a noted educator and phonologist of the early Ming Dynasty. The current building was rebuilt in the early years of the Qing Tongzhi reign. Zhao Qian (1351–1395), originally named Guze, with the courtesy name Huiqian and the sobriquet "Master Archaeologist," was a native of Fengting Township (now Xiaodong Town). Throughout his life, he shunned fame and wealth, dedicating himself to scholarship. He left behind over 300 volumes of writings, making significant contributions to the field of ancient philology.

Despite enduring the vicissitudes of time, "Zhao Archaeological Temple" has retained its original basic layout. The temple features a flush-gable roof and consists of two sections: the rear hall and the main hall, both spanning 14.6 meters in width. The main hall is 9.76 meters deep, while the rear hall is 10.1 meters deep. The building employs a combined beam-frame structure of raised beams and through-tenon joints. The floors are paved with stone slabs laid in a staggered pattern. The central courtyard spans 250 square meters and is entirely paved with flat stone slabs. The fundamental structure of Zhao Archaeological Temple, composed of the rear hall and main hall, along with its simple yet elegant decorative artistry, creates a solemn and dignified atmosphere that reflects the architectural style characteristics of ancestral temples in Yuyao and even the eastern Zhejiang region during that period.

On March 19, 1997, Zhao Archaeological Temple was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yuyao Municipal People’s Government.