Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess

Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess

Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess

Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess (Listed in the 4th Provincial Protected Heritage Batch)

Era: Yuan Dynasty

Address: Beiganquan Village, Miaozhuang Town, Pingshun County

The founding date is unknown. Currently, only one courtyard remains, covering an area of 1,115 square meters. The central axis features, in sequence, the mountain gate (with a reverse-facing theater stage on top), the Offering Hall, and the Main Hall. On both sides are side pavilions, auxiliary halls, and side chambers. The Main Hall preserves the architectural style of the Yuan Dynasty, while the rest are Qing Dynasty structures.

The Main Hall is three bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof. The front eaves have corridors, with bracket sets on the outer columns featuring five rows and single-tier ang brackets, but no intercolumnar bracket sets. The beam structure consists of four rafters supporting the overhanging eaves.

Before setting off, I did some research and learned that the grand temple was located inside a distillery, and there was a spring within the distillery.

A clear spring, fine liquor, and an old temple — there’s really no excuse not to go.

The mountain village is large and nestled in the bottom of a valley. The old temple on the west side of the village had its gate tightly shut. The distillery's iron lock was covered in rust. Kind-hearted locals, feeling sorry for us — a bunch of dogs circling a bone — pointed us toward a “clear path.” Parting the grass and leaping through a window, we realized things could be this simple. The ancient pine tree was definitely weather-beaten, no doubt once majestic. The great hall was filled with liquor bottles, and pigeons circled above the beams. There were, of course, stone carvings and woodwork; naturally, there was a theater stage and auxiliary halls — though we never found that legendary spring.

Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess has an unknown founding date. It faces south and consists of a single courtyard. The central axis features, in sequence, the mountain gate (with a reverse-facing theater stage on top), the Offering Hall, and the Main Hall. On both sides are side pavilions, auxiliary halls, and side chambers. The Main Hall preserves the architectural style of the Yuan Dynasty, while the rest are Qing Dynasty structures. It is 23.5 meters wide from east to west and 44.7 meters long from north to south, covering a total area of 1,050 square meters.

The Main Hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure, three bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof and blue barrel tiles. The column-top bracket sets are five-tiered with single ang brackets, without intercolumnar bracket sets. The beam frame has four rafters extending under the overhang. The interior flooring is original to the Yuan Dynasty, while the lower part of the hall is Qing Dynasty work. The ceiling beams are exposed, and wooden carvings can be seen. There is also a theater stage and auxiliary halls, although the legendary spring was not found.

In May 2013, Beiganquan Temple of the Goddess was designated as part of the 7th batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· 4th Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· 7th Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units