Zhenze Erxian Palace

Zhenze Erxian Palace

Zhenze Erxian Palace is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhenze Erxian Palace

Zhenze Erxian Palace (Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Yuan Dynasty

Address: Shengjiao Village, Shuzhang Town, 45 kilometers southeast of Huguan County

Zhenze Palace, commonly known as Erxian Temple or Granny Temple, was first built in the second year of the Qianning era (895) during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty. It was renovated during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and by the 30th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty (1765), it had formed a five-courtyard architectural layout.

The Erxian Palace faces south and covers an area of 9,000 square meters. Along its central axis are, in sequence, a memorial archway, the mountain gate, the Dangyang Hall, the Zhenze Sleeping Palace, and the Hall of the Holy Parents.

The Dangyang Hall is the main structure of Zhenze Palace. It is five bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. Its bracket sets are arranged in a staggered pattern, and the hall features protruding brackets. The interior space is tall and spacious. The central bay of the hall’s front facade is open, and the hall is five bays deep.

The Sleeping Palace is the principal hall of Zhenze Palace. It is five bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof, and is a relic from the Ming Dynasty. Inside the hall are reclining statues of the two immortal maidens, and the walls are painted with vivid and lifelike Hundred Children murals depicting various expressions. On either side of the Sleeping Palace are Flower-inserting Towers, and there are nine-bay corridor-style rooms on the east and west sides. The wooden components inside the hall are all relics from the Ming Dynasty.

Zhenze Palace currently houses 38 stone tablets and steles from the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties, and the Republic of China periods.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units