Shunchang Baoshan Temple

Shunchang Baoshan Temple

Shunchang Baoshan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Baoshan Temple

The main hall of Baoshan Temple is located at the summit of Baoshan, at the junction of Dagan and Yuankeng towns in the northwest of Shunchang County. The entire temple complex consists of a mountain gate, front hall, worship pavilion, side rooms, the main hall, and enclosing walls. The main hall is five bays wide and four bays deep, with beams, columns, rafters, and tiles all made of granite. Both the main hall and the enclosing walls retain the style of Yuan Dynasty wood-like stone architecture, and in June of this year, it was listed as part of the "Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units."

Also known as Baoling An or Baoshan Temple, Baoshan Temple was first built in the 23rd year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1363) and was renovated in the 42nd year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1614). It consists of the Yuan Dynasty main hall and structures rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, including the mountain gate, front hall, side rooms, and pavilions. The temple covers an area of 362 square meters. The entire complex, from the foundation, flooring, beams, columns, roof, to every tile, uses stone instead of wood in a wood-mimicking construction style—even the roofing boards are made of rock. Its architectural style features both Tang and Song influences as well as Yuan characteristics. The main hall is a stone structure mimicking wood, facing southeast and northwest, five bays wide (15.8 meters) and four bays deep (12.35 meters), with a through-tenon reduced-column framework and a single-eave hanging gable roof. Except for the wooden doors, all other components—including columns, beams, brackets, purlins, roofing, tiles, ridge ornaments, and dragon heads—are carved from stone, resulting in thicker and sturdier sections that reflect the early "thick beam, stout column" style of wooden architecture.

Based on current analysis, the original structure is believed to have been three bays wide and four bays deep. During the Ming Dynasty renovation, the east, west, and north sides were expanded to reach the current size. The central bay features a nine-rafter roof with a front protruding rafter supported by four columns, while the side bays have nine-rafter roofs with a front protruding rafter and rear three-rafter section, supported by five columns, using exposed construction. The central bay's beams are made from huge stones carved into moon beams and spindle-shaped columns, with clear tapering on the spindle columns. Most of the side bays use the “depressed-ground relief” technique to carve moon beams, tension rods, and tapering purlins at both ends. The corner bays use through-tenon frameworks without insertion beams but are instead divided by thick walls over 70 centimeters. Column bases come in three types: double-layer plain, single-layer inverted basin, and eight-petal inverted lotus, all integrated with the top stones. Various decorative patterns are subtly carved at locations such as the ends of the flat beams, special brackets, and brackets, all exquisitely detailed. Many components such as seat brackets, spandrels, and auxiliary beams are carved together with the beam stones, and the rafters and tiles are joined with palm-joint tenons, fitting seamlessly in all directions. The roof has a gentle pitch, with stone slabs laid on the five-rafter purlins, then covered with another layer of regular tiles.

Stone-carved fish-shaped dragon heads are placed at both ends of the roof ridge, and a stone-carved precious gourd sits at the center of the main ridge. Below the ridge purlin are inscriptions that read: “In the 23rd year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Great Yuan Dynasty, the 23rd day of the 7th month, the auspicious day of Yǐ Wèi, at the good hour of Jǐ Mǎo, the public gathered to build this shrine, praying for blessings above.” Additionally, inscribed on the purlins, beams, rafters, columns, tension rods, rafters, and tiles are over ten sections of donation and maintenance records from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, which match the record in the "Shunchang County Annals" (Ming Zhengde edition): “Baoshan is located in Lou Mountain District, steep and elegant, with peaks arranged in sequence. At the summit of the main peak stands a hut, with beams, columns, rafters, and tiles all hewn from stone.” A pair of drum stones flank the main gate. On the inner sides of the eaves corridor and patio are Sumeru pedestals, with lotus-petal arched niches, entwined lotus patterns, and Vajra pillars carved in the scotia molding.

Tulong Village: Commonly known as "Copper Cave," Tulong Village is located in the northwest of Dagan Town, about 16 kilometers from the town government seat. Tulong Village is a high-mountain region, with an average elevation of over 700 meters. The highest peak within its territory is Baoshan, standing at 1,305 meters, facing Mount E in the northwest from afar. The village consists of five natural villages and five villager groups, with 202 households and 612 residents—306 male and 306 female—mainly surnamed Gao, Zhang, and Rao.

Tulong Village covers a total area of 33,221 mu, including 28,590 mu of forest land and 1,547 mu of cultivated land... More details about Tulong Village ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units