Bozhou Huaxi Tower

Bozhou Huaxi Tower

Bozhou Huaxi Tower is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a patriotic education base.

Huaxi Tower is located in the northern part of Bozhou city, on the south bank of the Guoshui River. Originally named the Grand Temple of Guan Yu, it is also known as the Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall. According to the "Inscription on the Reconstruction of the Grand Temple of Guan Yu" from the 32nd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1767 AD), the Grand Temple of Guan Yu in Bozhou's northern area was built in the 13th year of the Shunzhi reign (1656 AD), making it a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The "Record of the Reconstruction of the Grand Temple of Guan Yu" from the 49th year of Qianlong's reign states: "In the 31st year of Qianlong (1766 AD), a new main hall was built, additional seating towers were added, and the stage was adorned with carvings and painted decorations, reaching an impressive scale and magnificent splendor." This marks the construction of the east and west seating towers and the addition of painted caissons to the theater stage. Another inscription from the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign notes: "The Temple of Guan Yu is especially resplendent, showcasing the finest craftsmanship in carvings and paintings; visitors to the market often find themselves lingering in admiration." The wooden carvings of the theater and the brick carvings on the gate walls were likely created no later than the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign (1776 AD). The current appearance of Huaxi Tower is considered to be the artistic architecture of that period. This indicates that theater was highly popular at the time, and both the stage and theater buildings were exquisitely constructed.

The Grand Temple of Guan Yu faces south and has a construction area of 3,163.1 square meters. The main building in the courtyard is the main hall, with the theater stage serving as a supporting structure. Side halls are built on either side for audiences to watch performances and dine. This forms a fully enclosed courtyard complex with tall surrounding walls that hinder sound dispersion. On either side of the main hall are narrow courtyards: the western one is a meditation room, and the eastern one is the God of Wealth shrine. Flanking the theater are a bell tower and a drum tower. One bell remains, while the drum is lost. The bell is inscribed with the reign year of the second year of the Kangxi era. Each side of the bell tower has a three-room building where Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants once lived. Thus, the Grand Temple of Guan Yu served three ancient functions: entertainment (theater stage), religion (imperial temple), and commerce (guild hall). The main hall is divided into front and rear sections. The front hall’s arched roof features a five-beam structure with richly decorated carvings and paintings, designed for viewing performances. The rear hall is further divided into front and rear parts; the front section has two side doors on its gable wall — the west door is called the “Zen Side Gate,” and the east door is the “Spirit Path Gate.” Climbing four steps leads into the rear hall, which is grand and imposing, serving as the sacred site for worshipping Guan Yu, the principal deity of the Grand Temple of Guan Yu.

In front of the temple gate stand a pair of stone lions, each 2.4 meters tall, and a pair of iron flagpoles, 16 meters high. The base of the flagpoles bears an inscription: “In the first year of the Daoguang reign of the Great Qing (1821 AD), in the cyclical year of Xinsi, during the auspicious autumn season, a pair of flagpoles weighing twenty-four thousand jin was cast and offered by the disciples of the Shaanxi medicinal herbs trade, to forever safeguard peace and prosperity in all directions.” The sight is dazzling.

The main facade of the Shanmen (mountain gate) of the Grand Temple of Guan Yu has a three-door passageway consisting of the main gate, the bell tower, and the drum tower. The entire wall surface is covered with various relief sculptures made from polished bricks, all hand-carved and over two hundred years old. The brick carvings depict figures, landscapes, horse-drawn carriages, cities, pavilions, flowers, birds, fish, and insects, forming scenes from operatic stories and folk tales such as "Empress Li in the Cold Hut," "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage," and "Legend of the White Snake." The carving is masterful, the layout neat, making it one of Bozhou’s treasured cultural artifacts.

Huaxi Tower was originally a stage of the Grand Imperial Temple. It earned its name due to its dazzling carved and painted decorations. According to the "Inscription on the Creation of the Theater Stage," the theater stage was built in the 15th year of the Kangxi reign, twenty years after the temple.

The theater stage faces north and juts forward, resembling a “convex” shape, with four winged corners. Its roof is covered with glazed tiles, creating a resplendent golden effect. The stage is supported by six pillars, and six additional pillars stand beneath the eaves, their bases carved with narrative designs. At the center of the stage is a pierced screen carved with two dragons playing with a pearl, above which hangs a plaque inscribed with “Exquisite Songs and Graceful Dances.” The central entrance and exit doors bear plaques reading “Presumed” and “Unnecessarily So.” A wooden couplet hangs in front of the stage: “A melody of spring awakens dreams past and present; two visages enact complete loyalty and passion.” The small side stages on either side of the main stage have two side doors labeled “Spring Sun” and “White Snow.” Above the stage hang four caissons surrounded by suspended brackets and pendant lotus motifs. Between the pillars are large beams, and between the beams and the suspended brackets hang canopy arches, with lion and fish pendants from the pillar capitals. The outer surfaces of the beams are inlaid with large, finely carved wooden panels depicting eighteen scenes from the Three Kingdoms operas. Each scene’s characters, horses, scenery, and settings are exquisitely rendered, offering a lifelike feel. Other carvings include flowers, rare birds, and exotic animals, all intricately detailed. The remaining caissons and beams are covered with colorful paintings featuring opera scenes, figures, flowers, birds, landscapes, and various patterns. This demonstrates that Huaxi Tower boasts delicate and refined architecture, masterful carvings and paintings, and a unique style, representing the pinnacle of the Qing Dynasty’s cultural prosperity. It holds significant value for studying the development of Chinese theater and the essence of decorative art.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units