The former Main Hall of Nainai Temple in Dingzigu

The former Main Hall of Nainai Temple in Dingzigu

The former Main Hall of Nainai Temple in Dingzigu is a protected cultural heritage site of Tianjin Municipality.

The former Main Hall of Nainai Temple in Dingzigu

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: No. 35-1, Linghao Road, Dingzigu, Hongqiao District, Tianjin

Category: Ancient Architecture

The former Main Hall of Nainai Temple in Dingzigu is located within Dingzigu Primary School. It was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty on the west bank of the North Canal, facing east, and enshrined the Goddess. Details about the original structure are unknown, but currently only the main hall remains well-preserved. In 2001, when plaster peeled off inside the hall, colorful murals were discovered. Expert analysis identified them as works from the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty, covering a total area of 69.44 square meters. This was the first discovery of colored murals in an urban area of Tianjin.

The original Nainai Temple in Dingzigu was built during the Yuan Dynasty and enshrined the Goddess. It was recorded in the 1870 supplement to the Tianjin County Annals (Xu Tianjin Xianzhi). In 1930, it was converted into a school, which continues to this day. Currently, it is used as a paper box factory operated by Dingzigu Primary School in Hongqiao District.

In early 2001, colored murals covering 69.44 square meters were discovered inside the hall. The content includes Buddhist stories such as those of Guanyin and folk legends. The largest figures are 30 cm tall, and the smallest are 15 cm, with simple yet vivid lines and bright colors.

The former Nainai Temple in Dingzigu is one of the few surviving Nainai Temples in Tianjin. Its main hall is well-preserved and is a typical example of Qing Dynasty architecture. The colorful murals discovered inside are the first of their kind found in an urban area of Tianjin, possessing significant cultural and artistic value.