Gaodu Dongyue Temple

Gaodu Dongyue Temple

Gaodu Dongyue Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Gaodu Dongyue Temple

Gaodu Dongyue Temple (Second Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Jin Dynasty

Location: Gaodu Village, 21 km northeast of Zezhou County

Also known as Dongda Temple. Originally built during the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1161–1189). It was renovated in the 57th year of the Kangxi reign (1718) and the 5th year of the Qianlong reign (1740) of the Qing Dynasty. The extant buildings include the mountain gate, east and west corridors, Daqi Hall, scripture depository, and side chambers. Among these, the Daqi Hall retains its original Jin Dynasty structure, while the rest were rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Daqi Hall enshrines the Heavenly Emperor of Qi. A rolled-canopy porch is built on the front moon terrace. The Daqi Hall is three bays wide, with a single-eave hanging hip roof covered in tubular and flat tiles. The front eaves feature an open corridor spanning one bay, with columns inscribed with donation records from the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty. The bracket sets under the eaves display sophisticated craftsmanship. The hall's structure preserves features of early Jin Dynasty architecture. The doors feature carved lotus, peony, and “birth-immortal” children motifs, all finely detailed and exquisitely executed, representing fine examples of Jin Dynasty woodwork.

Gaodu Town: Bazhen Town is located in the Zezhou Basin at the southern end of the Taihang Mountains in southeastern Shanxi Province. It borders the northern regions and overlooks the Central Plains to the south. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was named "Bagong" after the Marquis of Jin relocated the people of Ba here during his western campaign. It boasts a profound cultural heritage of 2,000 years. The town administers 44 administrative villages, with a population of 620,000, covering a total area of 112 square kilometers. It is close to the Jincheng-Jiaozuo and Changzhi-Jincheng expressways, and traversed by the Taiyuan-Jiaozuo Railway and National Highway 207, making it a strategic hub for transportation between Shanxi and Henan. With flat terrain, a mild climate, a long history, convenient transport, and abundant coal and iron resources, it is known as the “No. 1 Town of the Taihang Mountains.”

… Gaodu Town detailed information ++

Further reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Shanxi Province