Zhenchao Temple

Zhenchao Temple

Zhenchao Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Xiangshan County.

Zhenchao Temple is located in Dazhongzhan Village, Dingtang Town, Xiangshan County. Built during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was erected to commemorate the "Eighteen Elders" who were involved in reclaiming land around the Great Pond. The temple faces south with the following central axis: square, entrance courtyard, stage, hallway, and main hall. The main hall has five bays — the central bay features a post-and-lintel structure, while the others use a through-tenon style. The bracket arms and beams are shaped like crescent moons, and the column capitals and other elements feature partial carvings. The hallway uses a post-and-lintel structure, and both the stage and hallway structures include carved details. Each of the east and west wing rooms has four bays and employs a through-tenon framework. Between the wing rooms and the hallway-stage area are left and right courtyards. The east wing room has a rear door leading to an east side room, and the southern end of the east courtyard has a side door. The entrance courtyard has no upper floor and clearly displays three gates; it includes a mountain gate, with a stone plaque inscribed with the characters “Zhenchao Temple” (镇潮庙) embedded in the lintel of the central gate. As the outer walls of the temple are all decorated with a brownish-red lacquer finish, it is commonly known as the “Red Temple.” This temple is jointly worshipped by the people of the entire Great Pond Island and stands as a testament to the history of Xiangshan people reclaiming land from the sea. It is a representative structure of maritime culture. On October 30, 2007, it was announced as a Cultural Relic Protection Unit at the county level in the sixth batch of Xiangshan County.