Wanrong Dongyue Temple

Wanrong Dongyue Temple

Wanrong Dongyue Temple is a national A-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Wanrong Dongyue Temple is located in the southeastern corner of Jiedian Town, Wanrong County, Shanxi Province.

The exact founding date of Wanrong Dongyue Temple is unknown, but it already existed during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. It was rebuilt between the 28th year of the Zhiyuan reign (1291) and the first year of the Dade reign (1297) under Yuan Dynasty Emperor Shizu.

Wanrong Dongyue Temple faces south and sits on a north-south axis. Its main existing structures include the Feiyun Tower, Meridian Gate, Offering Hall, Enjoyment Pavilion, Temple of the Eastern Peak, and Hall of the King of Hell. Following the layout conventions of early Chinese temples, the tower is situated in front of the central axis. The Feiyun Tower was reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty, while most of the other buildings were constructed in the Yuan Dynasty and renovated in the Ming Dynasty.

The Feiyun Tower stands 40 meters tall, has a square floor plan, three stories, four layers of roof eaves, and a cross-shaped hip-and-gable roof. Four through-pillars run directly from the ground to the top. The second and third floors both have railings, and each side features a protruding wing that forms a cross shape, topped with its own roof. The combination of these wings and the upper cross-hipped roof is exquisitely designed, creating an extremely rich silhouette. The upturned eave corners and the 307 sets of brackets beneath them give the impression of swirling clouds and dancing dragons, adding great dynamism to the structure. The complex design, dynamic architectural style, and exquisite craftsmanship give the tower a unique place among traditional Chinese wooden structures.

The Meridian Gate is seven bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. Its beams are simple, and the bracket sets are orderly, with most of its main structural elements reflecting Yuan Dynasty style. The Offering Hall is also seven bays wide and six rafters deep, featuring a flush-gable roof, four-tiered bracket sets, and large lintel beams used on the front and rear eaves as well as the central pillars, maintaining Yuan Dynasty characteristics. The Enjoyment Pavilion has a square floor plan and a cross-hipped roof, complete with glazed ridge ornaments. It is surrounded by railings carved with flowing cloud patterns and coiled dragon motifs, while the railing posts bear inscriptions of donor names, dating back to the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. The Temple of the Eastern Peak is five bays wide and five bays deep, nearly square in plan, with a double-eave hip-and-gable roof. The stone pillars along the front eave have pronounced entasis, and most of the beams inside the hall are made of round timber. The roof is adorned with delicate yet luxurious glazed ridge ornaments, reflecting architectural styles of the Qing Dynasty. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Location

No. 8, West Street, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level