Xiangyuan Five-Dragon Temple

Xiangyuan Five-Dragon Temple

Xiangyuan Five-Dragon Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Five-Dragon Temple

Five-Dragon Temple (fourth batch of provincial protected sites)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Address: Beiguan, Xiangyuan County

Xiangyuan Five-Dragon Temple is located at Chengbeiguan in Guhan Town, Xiangyuan County. The temple complex stretches 33 meters from north to south and 22 meters from east to west, covering an area of approximately 726 square meters. The exact founding date of the Five-Dragon Temple is unknown. According to the Xiangyuan County Annals and inscriptions within the temple, the main hall was renovated in the 10th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1350).

The existing structures within the temple include the main hall, the mountain gate, east and west wing rooms, and the ruins of a stage. Among them, the main hall is a remnant of the Yuan Dynasty, the mountain gate and the west wing room are Ming Dynasty structures, while the east wing room was modified in more recent times. The main hall features a five-bay width and six-rafter depth, with a hanging gable roof. Its beam framework uses four rafters with the front pressing on the breast rafters, supported by three columns. The bracket sets are intricately arranged, showing refined craftsmanship. The hall also retains painted decorations and contains inscriptions. The wing rooms are Ming Dynasty structures, situated not far from the main hall, and are simple and unadorned. The east wing room has been reconstructed in modern times. The mountain gate is a Qing Dynasty addition. The stage is a Ming Dynasty structure.

In May 2013, Xiangyuan Five-Dragon Temple was announced as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units