Temple of Houji

Temple of Houji

The Temple of Houji is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Temple of Houji

Temple of Houji (Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Yuan to Ming

Address: Wulü Village, Yangyu Township, Wenxi County

The Wulü Temple of Houji is situated in Wulü Village, Yangyu Township, Wenxi County. It was originally constructed in the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1292), and underwent renovations during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566), as well as in the 29th year (1764) and the 53rd year (1788) of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The temple faces south and covers an area of 1,600 square meters. It follows a single-courtyard layout, with the Shuiliu Hall and the Stage aligned along the central axis — both structures dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. The Shuiliu Hall is three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a hanging hip roof. Stone pier bases bear inscriptions from the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1292). The Stage stands opposite the Shuiliu Hall, on a 2.5-meter-high brick foundation. It is also three bays wide and four rafters deep, featuring a hanging hip roof. The roof truss consists of four rafters, with remaining components showing distinctive Yuan Dynasty architectural features. Both the eastern and western walls feature inscribed steles commemorating the renovation of the Temple of Houji, erected in the 29th year of the Qianlong era (1764) and the 55th year (1790). On May 25, 2006, the Wulü Temple of Houji was designated by the State Council as part of the Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In 2011, cultural heritage authorities carried out restoration work on the Shuiliu Hall and the Stage; in 2014, the east and west side halls, side chambers, corner gates, and control rooms were reconstructed.

Wulü Village: Located at the southwestern edge of Yangyu Township, Wulü Village comprises six residential groups, with 242 households and a population of 1,098. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and a gully on one. It has 2,900 mu of arable land, including 900 mu returned to forest, 800 mu planted with hawthorn, and 1,200 mu under wheat cultivation. There are 42 Party members. It is a typical purely agriculture-based village in a remote mountainous region. The village’s economy relies mainly on farming. There are almost no enterprises, and average farmer income is relatively low, at around 2,200 yuan per capita. Currently, the village has established the Huafeng Hawthorn Professional Cooperative to guide farmers in increasing yield and income... More detailed information about Wulü Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units