Shangfu Grand Temple

Shangfu Grand Temple

Shangfu Grand Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Shangfu Grand Temple (Fifth Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)

Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties

Address: Shangfu Village, Runcheng Town, Yangcheng County

Shangfu Grand Temple, with an unknown founding date, has existing structures dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The site faces south with its back to the north, higher in the north and descending to the south. It spans an area of about 2,318 square meters, with a building area of roughly 1,666 square meters. The temple complex is composed of three main temples, five courtyards, and sixteen halls. To the north of the temple lies residential housing, to the south is the village’s cultural square, and both the east and west sides are bordered by houses. The Shangfu Grand Temple is made up of the Chengtang Temple, Confucius Temple, and Guan Sheng Temple, arranged in a “品” (tripod) formation.

The Chengtang Hall is five bays wide and five rafters deep, featuring a single-eave hanging hip roof. The beam structure consists of four rafters intersecting with bracket sets, forming a layered framework. The front eaves feature protruding brackets and carved decorations. The lower eaves are adorned with painted beams and carved rafters. The main hall is constructed with high bases and upturned eaves. The hall's interior columns support a coffered ceiling, while brackets and beams are richly decorated. On the eastern and western sides are side halls, and the upper part of the hall features detailed carvings. The entire architectural composition is rigorous and well-proportioned. The wooden structure occupies a significant portion of the spatial layout. Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Shangfu Village: Located on the eastern bank of the Qin River in the northeastern part of Yangcheng County, Shangfu Village comprises two natural villages, six villager groups, 625 households, and 1,727 residents. It has 1,405 acres of arable land. The village currently has 80 party members, including 4 female party members.

In ancient times, there was a saying that Shangfu Village was like a "dragon lying in wait." Bathed in the winds of reform and opening-up, today one sees towering buildings lining spacious streets, lush flowers and trees planted in neat rows. Athletic fields display spirited activity, parks offer leisurely enjoyment for visitors, and at night strings of bright lights shine, as if the Milky Way had descended upon the Taihang Mountains. What was once an unremarkable rural village has become a nationally renowned Model Civilized Village... More details about Shangfu Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units