Chunhua Temple

Chunhua Temple

Chunhua Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Chunhua Temple

Chunhua Temple (Fifth Batch of National Heritage Sites)

Era: Jin Dynasty

Address: Yanggao Village, Yanggao Township, Pingshun County

According to the Pingshun County Annals from the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1693): The temple was originally built during the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–559), initially named Longmen Chan Monastery, also known as the subordinate monastery of Longmen Temple. It was rebuilt during the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (969–976) after the original structure collapsed, and renamed to its current name in the second year of the Chunhua era of the Northern Song Dynasty (991). The temple complex has since been destroyed, and its full appearance is no longer known. Only the main hall remains, which is a structure dating back to the Jin Dynasty.

The hall faces south and features a width of three bays and a depth of six rafters. It has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered with tubular and flat tiles. The central bay on the front and rear is fitted with plank doors. The bracket sets atop the columns display intricate designs, with single brackets extending outwards. Under the eaves, there are remnants of colored paintings, though much of the original detail has faded due to long-term weathering. Weathered inscriptions can be found on the lower parts of the walls, and there are visible traces of plaster and paint, indicating the former grandeur of the structure.

Inside the temple, there are two Song Dynasty stone pagodas, each over 3 meters tall with bodies approximately 1.8 meters in height. These octagonal pagodas feature relief inscriptions in regular script: the "Sutra of the Victorious Buddha-Crown" and the "Diamond Sutra." They were carved in the third year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (970).

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units