Wangye Temple in Zigong

Wangye Temple in Zigong

Wangye Temple in Zigong is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Wangye Temple is located on the banks of the FuXi River in the downtown area. Backed by Longfeng Mountain, it is a uniquely styled building from the mid-Qing Dynasty. Mainly designed using traditional ancient architectural layout methods, it features, along the central axis, a stage, an open well, and the main hall.

The "Fushun County Annals" from the Tongzhi era had already listed Wangye Temple and the Jiazi Kou below it as one of the scenic highlights of Ziliujing. At the beginning of this century, Wangye Temple was renovated under the direction of prominent salt merchants Wang Yuyan and Li Chunlin from the Zigong salt fields. It served as a place where local merchants worshipped the Water God, enjoyed the scenery, watched operas, sipped tea, and held Lantern Festival celebrations.

Nestled against the mountain and overlooking the water, Wangye Temple occupies a commanding position, being not only an architectural gem but also a scenic attraction. The well-preserved stage in the temple is a rare example of a Qing Dynasty Sichuan opera stage in Sichuan. Leaning on the railing, you can see peculiar rocks jutting out of the river, known as the "Stone Dragon Crossing the River." On the opposite bank, trees provide a green canopy, with the Peach Blossom Nunnery faintly visible, stone-paved ancient paths winding along the shore, and a glazed pavilion and a divine stele standing by the path. The rock cliff is inscribed with three large characters “Huan Yu Chi” (Fish-Calling Pond), believed to be in the handwriting of Su Dongpo. On the eastern stone wall of the temple, there are four characters “Huan Wo He Shan” (Return Our Rivers and Mountains) handwritten by Feng Yuxiang, adding further charm to Wangye Temple. A former poet wrote: “The natural gorge entrance is perilous and uniquely marvelous,” and “Wangye Temple is a fine place for composing poetry.” Today, Wangye Temple is a famous riverside teahouse in downtown Zigong. During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival, the temple’s poles are adorned with colorful lanterns, and the entire area is decorated in red and brilliance, bustling with visitors.

Wangye Temple is an exquisite Qing Dynasty building, covering an area of 1,000 square meters. Its construction date is unknown, but it was built no later than the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. In the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign (1906), a new stage was added. The temple faces southwest and is situated northeast, with a total floor area of 900 square meters. The stage is a post-and-lintel wooden structure with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, standing 4.1 meters tall, 8.9 meters wide, and 8.85 meters deep, and is elevated 2.8 meters above the ground. The stage employs a post-and-lintel wooden structure with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. The ridge ends feature chiwen (mythical animal ornaments), and in the center sits a string of fiery dragon pearls, displaying vibrant and rich colors. Wangye Temple was built scientifically, with a unique layout, compact structure, and exquisite design; it is small yet refined, decorated luxuriously with finely carved details, integrating painted beams and carved rafters. The decorative sculptures mostly depict dramatic scenes and figures, which hold significant historical value for studying the Sichuan opera of that time, as well as social customs and local culture.

In the late 1920s, part of Wangye Temple was demolished during the construction of the Jing-Deng Highway, and later, the expansion of the Binjiang Road led to the removal of the main hall and side halls. Only the stage and some corridors remain today. In 1984, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and the Zigong Municipal People’s Government successively allocated funds for repairs. In 1985, it became part of the Zigong Salt Industry History Museum and was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government in 1991.

The existing stage of Wangye Temple was primarily used as a Sichuan opera performance venue. Its remarkable preservation is now quite rare among surviving ancient buildings in Sichuan. The stage opening consists of upper, middle, and lower tiers, adorned with wood carvings depicting landscapes, exotic flowers, historical figures, theatrical scenes, antiques, and coins, forming over a hundred exquisite images that hold high artistic and ornamental value.

Due to its prime location and environment, Wangye Temple has in recent years become an important leisure and tea-drinking spot for locals and tourists. The upper floor of the temple also hosts a permanent thematic exhibition titled "The History of Wangye Temple" for visitors to enjoy.

Protected area: 5 meters beyond the current perimeter wall.

Construction control zone: From the right side of the Zigong Machinery Bureau, passing by Peach Blossom Nunnery to Fish-Calling Pond along the river, and from the foot of Longfeng Mountain to the southern section of Building No. 1 at Shawan Hotel.