Wuxiang Dayun Temple

Wuxiang Dayun Temple

Wuxiang Dayun Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Wuxiang Dayun Temple

Wuxiang Dayun Temple (listed in the fifth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Song Dynasty

Address: Gucheng Village, Gucheng Town, 25 km west of Wuxiang County

The founding date is unknown. According to a restoration stele from the first year of the Zhiping era (1064) of the Northern Song Dynasty found inside the temple, it was once the seat of the Niexi County government during the Eastern Han Dynasty and was initially named Yanjing Temple. It was renovated in the fourth year of the Heqing era (565) of the Northern Qi Dynasty. In the first year of the Zhiping era (1064) of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was renamed to its current name. The Three Buddha Hall was rebuilt during the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty. Repairs were carried out during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The existing main structure, the Mahavira Hall, is an original construction from the Jin Dynasty. The rest were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The temple faces south and has two courtyards. It covers a total area of 7,900 square meters. Major structures include the Guanyin Hall and the Mahavira Hall, with side halls on the east and west sides. The east side hall is the Eighteen Arhats Hall, and the west side hall is the Ten Kings of Hell Hall. The Guanyin Hall, also known as the South Hall, is five bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof. It is a structure from the Qing Dynasty.

The Mahavira Hall is the main hall of the temple, five bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof. The roof is covered with tube-shaped and flat tiles, and the column capitals have noticeable rolled curves. The bracket sets are of the late-style tiered type, with protruding cantilevers, forming a strong contrast with the relatively simple lower eaves. The wooden structure dates back to no earlier than the mid-Jin Dynasty. The ceiling preserves over 100 square meters of colorful paintings from the Ming Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units