Former Site of Hubin Temple

Former Site of Hubin Temple

The former site of Hubin Temple is a protected cultural heritage site in Ningbo.

The former site of Hubin Temple is located by Hua’yu Islet and Yu Lake Bridge in Haishu District, Ningbo. In September 1999, it was designated as part of the second batch of municipal-level cultural heritage conservation sites in Ningbo. It is now known as Yu Lake Nunnery, the remaining “vestige” of Hubin Temple, and was renovated in the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1873). The existing structures feature a flush-gable roof framework with yellow walls and black tiles, overall in good preservation. The front hall floor is inlaid with four bluestone slabs carved with lotus patterns, which are believed to be ancient relics.

Hubin Temple, formerly known as Shuilu Mingdao Yuan, was first built between the first and fourth years of the Zhiping era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1064–1067). In the first year of the Xining era (1068), Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty bestowed upon it the name “Shousheng Yuan.” In the 32nd year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1162), Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty granted it the plaque name “Hubin Guangfu Temple.” The temple was destroyed during the Yuan Dynasty. In the early Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368), it was rebuilt, and Yuan Gong Ancestral Hall was constructed behind the temple to commemorate Yuan Yong, a Jinshi scholar from 1277 who led resistance against the Yuan invasion, was captured, and executed. The temple was again destroyed in the early Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, and was reconstructed in the first year of the Xuande era (1462). In the 33rd year of the Jiajing era (1553), Zhang Shiche, Minister of War, retired and purchased Hubin Temple to establish an academy, renovating it into Baolun Hall as a place to store imperial decrees. Japanese painter-monk Sesshū Tōyō marked Hubin Temple on the map of Ningbo Prefecture, which was then transmitted to Japan.

Source: Haishu District Cultural Relics Management Office