Shicun Dongyue Temple

Shicun Dongyue Temple

Shicun Dongyue Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Name: Shicun Dongyue Temple (Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Yuan to Qing Dynasties

Type: Ancient Architecture

Address: Zezhou County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province

Introduction:

Shicun Dongyue Temple is located in Shicun, Xiazhen Town, Zezhou County, Jincheng City. It faces south and covers an area of 1,163 square meters. The exact date of its establishment is unknown, and no inscribed steles have been found. According to inscriptions under the beams of the main hall, it was renovated during the Qianlong period (1736–1795) and the 1st year of the Jiaqing reign (1796), and was repaired by villagers through fundraising between 1985 and 1986.

Along the central axis from south to north are the mountain gate, middle hall, and main hall, with bell and drum towers, east and west wing rooms, side halls, and a stele corridor on both sides of the axis. The existing main hall is a remnant of the Yuan Dynasty, featuring a seven-bay width and six-rafter depth, with a single-eave hanging gable roof and glazed tubular tiles. The beam frame spans six rafters across the front and rear eaves, with the six rafters set above bracket sets, supporting four rafters via pillars. The bracket arms are richly decorated, with bracket arms and bracket sets intricately arranged. The roof eaves feature bracket arms and bracket sets, with carved patterns. The side halls are all single-eave hanging gable roofs with gray tubular tiles and glazed trimming. The middle hall is a Ming Dynasty structure, retaining some late-period components, though it has been altered. It originally had a front porch, which was demolished around 1980. The roof is a single-eave hanging gable style with gray tubular tiles and glazed trimming, featuring bracket arms and bracket sets with simplified designs. The porch features carved beams and painted rafters, with murals depicting traditional stories, some of which are well-preserved, while others were damaged and subsequently removed in 1980. The other halls are also Ming Dynasty structures.

In May 2013, Shicun Dongyue Temple was designated as part of the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units