Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng

Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng

The Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: Fucheng Village, Jin Town, 10 km north of Zezhou County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province

The Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng Village is located in Fucheng Village, Jin Town, 10 km north of Zezhou County. It sits on Qinggang Hill to the east of the village and consists of a large complex of upper, lower, outer, middle, and front courtyards, covering dozens of acres. Along the central axis are, in sequence, the mountain gate, theater stage, Hall of Guan Yu, and Hall of the Three Sworn Brothers. West-side structures include corridors, bell and drum towers, and monks' quarters. The main hall, the Hall of Guan Yu, features a width of three bays, a depth of eight rafters, and a single-eave hanging hip roof.

Temples are usually expected to stand atop misty high mountains or cliffs. The Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng is different—it lies outside the village, by a major road, surrounded by the clamor of daily life. With a history of at least 800 years, it is most famed for its stone carvings, which vary from courtyard to courtyard. The carvings in the second courtyard are the most playful—pillars in the north corridor are carved with goats and steeds. Suckling lambs and those nibbling their own hooves are especially appealing to young visitors. On both sides of the entrance passage, three lion families can be seen—lion parents playing with their cubs atop the stone drums. The third courtyard houses the Hall of the Holy Lord Guan Yu. To show reverence, locals would hire opera troupes to perform every year. Villagers, young and old, would come to burn incense and pray for blessings from Lord Guan.

Each dragon pillar in the Hall of the Holy Lord Guan Yu is entwined with two giant dragons. Stone, wood, brick, and glazed dragons—dozens of them, large and small, cling to the pillars, turning the entire hall into an underwater dragon palace. The main hall of the fourth courtyard is the Hall of the Three Sworn Brothers, enshrining the protagonists of the Peach Garden Oath. The stone carving pillars under the front porch are the highlight of the temple’s stone artistry.

Starting from the east, the first figure pillar depicts the familiar scene of “Guo Ziyi’s Sons-in-Law Paying Birthday Respect”: the pillar shows “seven sons and eight sons-in-law, all distinguished officials.” Guo Ziyi sits in the hall, beaming with joy as he enjoys his children’s filial piety. Officials, women, soldiers, servants, children, and musicians are rendered in vivid, lifelike poses. The second pillar features even more figures and stories. From bottom to top, within the city wall, stand Cheng Yaojia, leader of the Wagang bandits wielding a crescent battle axe; Qin Qiong, known for his deadly hidden weapon; and Luo Cheng, holding a plum blossom spear. The third pillar shows Jiang Ziya fishing, Nezha riding his wind-fire wheels, Leitingzi soaring with wings spread, and Tudixiong tunneling underground.

The westernmost pillar depicts the story of Zhang Gongyi from Shouzhang County, Shandong, in the prosperous Tang Dynasty—a centenarian with nine generations under one roof and a model of family governance. Zhang was kind-hearted and strict in upbringing. His family, a local noble house, received imperial recognition many times. In the late Sui and early Tang period, when Li Shimin was reconnoitering enemy camps and was wounded and exhausted, he fell into a river near Zhangjiazhuang. Zhang Gongyi rescued him and nursed him back to health. Though Li Shimin did not reveal his identity at the time, when he later became emperor, he never forgot the life-saving kindness and bestowed in the ninth year of the Zhenguan era a golden plaque inscribed “Hall of Righteous Harmony.” The pillar illustrates the harmonious life of the extended family during the imperial visit, including the episode where Zhang Gongyi presented the “Hundred Patiences” painting.

The four figure pillars mainly depict the ethical culture of Tang officials serving the nation and common people managing harmonious households. Even in modern times, such principles of family and state governance remain highly relevant.

In May 2013, the Temple of Guan Yu in Fucheng was designated as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Guan Yu (162?–220), of Han ethnicity, was born during the Yanxi era of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. His courtesy name was Yunchang (originally Changsheng), and he was a native of Xieliang in Hedong (present-day Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province). A famous general of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, he served as General of the Vanguard and was granted the title Marquis of Hanshou. A military strategist, he was revered by the people after his death and honored by successive dynasties, eventually being worshipped as the Divine Lord Guan. Buddhism regards him as the Sangharama Bodhisattva, and he is respectfully called “Guan Gong.” Later rulers esteemed him as the “Martial Saint,” equal to Confucius, the “Literary Saint.”

Following Liu Bei

Guan Yu's original courtesy name was Changsheng, later changed to Yunchang. In his youth, he fled his hometown to You... More details about Guan Yu++

Jin Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Zezhou County. Established as Jin Village Commune in 1962 and upgraded to a town in 1989. Located in the eastern part of the county, 8 km from the county seat, it covers an area of 44.8 square kilometers with a population of 25,000. National Highway 207 passes through it. The town administers 25 village committees, including Jin Village, Huoxiu, Longhua, Zhanjia, Houjiang, Mengjiang, Zaoyuan, Xiaoliujia Chuan, Dalingtou, Wuzhuang, Yuejiang, Beiyin, Cuizhuang, Huangtou, Dicheng, Zhaozhuang, Dongxiazhuang, Dongbeicun, Dongnan Cun, Lingxi, Liquan, Shantou, Fushanjie, Dongyu, and Shennan. Local enterprises are mainly engaged in coal, smelting, casting, transportation, and building materials. Agriculture is the main... More details about Jin Town++

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· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units