Nan Jixiang Temple

Nan Jixiang Temple

Nan Jixiang Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Nan Jixiang Temple (Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Song to Qing Dynasties

Address: Pincun Village, Liyi Town, 17 kilometers west of Lingchuan County

Originally named Jixiang Monastery. According to the “Inscription and Preface of the Jixiang Monastery” stele, it was built by imperial decree during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. The temple was originally located in Songjiachuan, Pincun, and on the third day of the tenth month of the third year of the Chunhua era of the Song Dynasty (993), it was bestowed an official plaque by imperial order. In the eighth year of the Tian Sheng era (1030), it was relocated to its current site. It underwent renovations in the sixth year of the Zhiyuan era (1269) and the third year of the Zhizhi era (1323) of the Yuan Dynasty, with additions and repairs carried out during both the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The temple faces south and covers an area of 7,081.65 square meters. The layout is complete, consisting of two courtyards in a front-to-back arrangement, with the Mountain Gate, Passing Hall, and Yuanming Hall aligned along the central axis. On the east and west sides are the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, East and West Side Halls, Meditation Rooms, and Side Towers. The existing Passing Hall is a remnant of the Song Dynasty, while the rest were built during the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing periods.

The Passing Hall is three bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. At the center of the roof is a glazed square ornament, and the ridge beasts, ridge finials, and ridge decorations are all made of glazed pottery. The eaves feature a single row of bracket sets, with bracket arms extending outward, and the rafters are richly carved. The hall also has side eaves inclined at 5 degrees. The wooden structure is well preserved, with clear and distinct carvings. The beams and columns are sturdy, and the painted decoration is still relatively visible. The brackets and arches are exquisitely crafted, demonstrating refined workmanship.

The Yuanming Hall was first built in the Jin Dynasty and renovated in the Yuan Dynasty. It is five bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging roof. The bracket sets under the eaves are of the outrigger type, and the rafters extend outward. The hall structure is robust.

Although the Mountain Gate was modified during the Ming Dynasty, it still retains elements of Yuan Dynasty style. The Bell and Drum Towers were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple also houses one stele each from the Song and Yuan Dynasties.