Temple of the Immortal Venerable

Temple of the Immortal Venerable

The Temple of the Immortal Venerable is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Temple of the Immortal Venerable is located in Bofang Village, Sizhuang Town, Gaoping City. It faces south and has a single-courtyard layout, covering an area of approximately 2,122 square meters. Its founding date is unknown. According to inscriptions, it was renovated in the second year of the Huangqing era of the Yuan Dynasty (1313), the sixth year of the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty (1455), and the seventeenth year of the Jiajing era (1538). The existing structures are mainly remnants from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Along the central axis from south to north, the temple features a mountain gate, music tower, corridor, offering hall, and main hall, with side halls and auxiliary halls on both sides. The main hall is five bays wide and six rafters deep, with a suspended hip roof covered in cylindrical tiles and glazed ridge ornaments. The main ridge bears an inscription from the seventeenth year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. Under the eaves is a single-step, single-raised bracket set with five tiers. The interior includes colored paintings, and the surrounding walls are adorned with murals. The main hall’s roof is supported by brackets, with painted beams and carved rafters. The front porch is aligned with the main hall, and the corridor connects them seamlessly. The decorative paintings are elegant, featuring delicate lines and vivid colors. The murals are mostly from the Ming Dynasty, while some date back to the earlier Yuan Dynasty. The temple also preserves a significant amount of Ming-era architectural components. The rear hall houses murals covering 43 square meters.

The architectural structures of the Temple of the Immortal Venerable are relatively well-preserved, with a compact layout. The extant stone inscriptions comprehensively reflect the temple’s renovation history. The colored paintings, wood carvings, and brick carvings possess high artistic value, making it an important example of traditional architecture.

In May 2013, the Temple of the Immortal Venerable was designated as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Bofang Village: General Overview

Bofang Village is located about 15 li (approximately 7.5 kilometers) northwest of Gaoping City. To the west is the Bofang Coal Mine of Lanhua Group, to the east lies the Shanxi–Changzhi Highway, to the north stands the nationally protected cultural relic — the Temple of the Immortal Venerable — and to the south is Wangcun Township. Nestled between mountains on both sides and surrounded by greenery, the village has 759 households, a population of 2,793, and 2,983 mu of arable land. The Village Party Branch comprises six party groups with 70 members in total, while the Village Committee consists of six villager groups represented by 58 village representatives... For more detailed information about Bofang Village ++

Further Reading:

· Second Group of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units