Zhao Village Jade Emperor Temple

Zhao Village Jade Emperor Temple

Zhao Village Jade Emperor Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Zhao Village Jade Emperor Temple (Fifth Batch, Provincial-Level Protected Site)

Era: Jin, Ming, Qing, and Republic of China

Address: Zhao Village, Zhongyang Township, Zhangzhi County, Changzhi City

The Jade Emperor Temple’s founding date is unknown. According to extant inscriptions within the temple, it was renovated in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1783). The existing structures all date from the Qing Dynasty. The temple follows a single-courtyard layout, facing south with its back to the north. The site currently retains the main hall, east and west side halls, the mountain gate, east and west decorative towers, east and west side chambers, as well as a Guanyin Hall located southwest outside the courtyard.

The main hall features a six-rafter structure with front and rear ?? beams supported by four pillars, and has a single-eave hanging gable roof. The column capitals are adorned with decorative bracket sets (dougong), though the bracket arms are relatively simple. A merit stele dated to the 44th year of the Chongzhen reign (1611) and a renovation stele from the 48th year of the Qianlong reign (1783) are preserved on the site.

The Jade Emperor Temple also includes a Guanyin Hall, which faces south with its back to the north. Its founding date is unknown. The existing beams are remnants of Jin Dynasty architecture. The hall is constructed with a four-rafter system ?? supported by three rafters ?? and features a complex layout. It offers valuable physical material for the study of early religious architecture in the region. Information source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Zhao Village: Zhao Village is located in the southwestern mountainous area of Zhangzhi County, with 637 households and a population of 2,367. It has 1,500 mu of arable land. The village enjoys a superior geographical location and convenient transportation, bordering Yincheng to the east and National Highway 207 to the west. In line with the national shift toward economic transformation, the collective economy of Zhao Village has been developing in sectors such as economic forestry. … More detailed information about Zhao Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Shanxi Province