Xiansheng Temple Stage

Xiansheng Temple Stage

The Xiansheng Temple Stage is a cultural relic protection unit of Yuyao City.

The Xiansheng Temple Stage in Zhongcun Village, Luting, Yuyao was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty. After being destroyed and rebuilt several times, the existing structure was reconstructed between the third and eighth years of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1664–1669). It is the oldest and most exquisitely crafted stage among the remaining stages in the Ningbo area.

The Xiansheng Temple Stage is part of Xiansheng Temple. The temple is nestled against a mountain and beside a river, with the Ningxiao Highway running along the stream in front and the Temple Back Mountain encircling it from behind. It faces northeast, featuring two courtyards with five bays each, and three-bay wing rooms on both sides. The soaring stage stands to one side of the courtyard and connects to the central bay of the front hall. The front hall is a two-story building, with a corridor along the courtyard side on the upper floor, which connects to the corridors of the side wing rooms. The outer side is enclosed by railings, allowing the audience to lean over and enjoy the performance.

According to a handwritten copy of the "Zheng Family Genealogy," the Xiansheng Temple Stage was relocated to its current site by the Zheng family of Zhongcun during the Zhi reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1321–1323). The stage is 4.67 meters wide, square in shape, and about 6 meters high. It has a hip-and-gable roof with upturned eaves. Four stone corner pillars support a platform in the middle, while the top of the stage features dougong brackets and upward-curving beams that spiral layer by layer, converging into a caisson ceiling with a large bronze mirror at the center. Around the caisson are sculpted eight dragon heads and flower baskets, while the beams are carved with relief designs of dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns. The entire stage boasts a complex architectural structure, exquisite decorations, and a uniquely designed form. When opera troupes perform on the stage—whether singing passionately or softly—the bronze mirror in the dome and the surrounding caisson walls create an echo effect, producing a lingering resonance. This classical and luxurious architectural style enhances the magnificent yet mysterious ambiance required for traditional Chinese theatrical performances.

In October 1987, the Xiansheng Temple Stage was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Yuyao City.

Zhongcun Village: Located in the southeastern part of Luting Township, Yuyao City, Zhongcun Village serves as the eastern gateway to Luting from Ningbo. Situated on the eastern foothills of the Siming Mountain Range and bordering Tongjiao Village, Zhangshui Town, Yinzhou District, it is approximately 40 kilometers from both Yuyao City and Ningbo City. The terrain is flat, and the land is fertile. The village has 730 households, a total population of 1,965, 64 Party members, 35 villager representatives, and 6 village cadres. It has 930 acres of arable land, 145 acres of tea plantations, 4,460 acres of bamboo forests, and 4,168 acres of firewood and timber forests. By the end of 2008, there was one water-boiled bamboo shoot processing factory, three private tea factories, and two tea plantations... More details about Zhongcun Village ++