Main Hall of Baoyan Temple

Main Hall of Baoyan Temple

The Main Hall of Baoyan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Main Hall of Baoyan Temple is located at No. 6 Xinjian Road, Shaowu City, Fujian Province.

The hall was built in the first year of the Dashaun era of the Tang Dynasty (890 AD) and was originally named "Xinghui Temple." In the first year of the Longde era of the Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period (921 AD), it was renamed "Zaixing Temple." In the first year of the Tiansheng era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1023 AD), it was changed to "Baoyan Temple." It underwent renovations during the Yuan Dynasty’s Yanyou era (1314–1320 AD) and again in the 12th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1533 AD). Originally, it included structures such as a mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, scripture hall, abbot’s quarters, monks' dormitories, and a flower garden. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains. It faces south, has a square floor plan, and is constructed of wood. It features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with both width and depth measuring five bays, an overall height of 18 meters, and a floor area of 400 square meters. There are 36 pillars inside the hall, and the stone bases of the four golden pillars in the central bay date back to the Tang and Song dynasties. Inscriptions in regular script on the beams read: “Rebuilt on the 22nd day of the 2nd month in the year of Guihai, the 12th year of the Jiajing era of the Great Ming (1533 AD), an auspicious time” and “Wishing long life and prosperity to His Majesty the Emperor.” Flat purlins are installed between the golden pillars and on the architraves. The beams are painted with figures, flowers, and dragon-phoenix patterns that remain vivid and clear to this day. These paintings are believed to be the works of local Ming Dynasty artists Yan Zongru and Shangguan Boduo.

The temple is a valuable physical relic for studying the ancient architectural art of northern Fujian and now houses the Shaowu City Museum. In 2006, the Main Hall of Baoyan Temple, as a Ming Dynasty structure, was included in the sixth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units