Li Zhuang Wu Temple

Li Zhuang Wu Temple

Li Zhuang Wu Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Yuan and Qing Dynasties

Location: Central Li Zhuang Village, Huangniuti Township, Lucheng City

Li Zhuang Wu Temple, also known as Guan Yu Temple, is located in Li Zhuang Village, Huangniuti Township, Lucheng City, approximately 14.34 km from downtown Lucheng. The temple site stretches 57 meters from east to west and 22 meters from north to south, covering an area of about 1,254 square meters.

The temple faces west and its surviving central axis structures consist of the Mountain Gate, Drum Tower, Incense Pavilion, and Main Hall. On the north side, in sequence, are the Dressing Tower, Theater Stage North Wing Room, First Courtyard North Side Room, First Courtyard North Corridor, Second Courtyard North Corridor, Incense Pavilion North Wing Room, and Main Hall North Side Room. The south side abuts a cliff, with structures including the First Courtyard South Corridor, Second Courtyard South Corridor, and Incense Pavilion South Wing Room. The exact founding date of the temple is unknown. According to a restoration stele from the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902) within the temple and Yuan Dynasty inscriptions from the 2nd year of the Zhiyuan era (1309) uncovered during the Main Hall’s renovation, it is believed to be a Yuan Dynasty structure, with repairs and expansions carried out during the Daoguang and Guangxu periods of the Qing Dynasty. The existing Drum Tower is a Ming Dynasty remnant, while the rest are Qing Dynasty constructions.

The Mountain Gate (also serving as a reverse-facing theater stage) is situated at the very front of the temple complex. The ground floor functions as the gate, while the upper floor serves as a reverse theater stage. The stage is five bays wide and four rafters deep, with a single-eave, hanging gable roof covered in board tiles.

The Drum Tower is located between the Mountain Gate and the Main Hall, one bay wide and one bay deep. Originally a four-corner pavilion, in 1958 walls were added on all sides, and a hip-and-gable roof was built over the four corner brackets, transforming its interior into a square hall. Its main function now is to store ancient tablets. The hall features an open-front design and is divided into eastern and western sections.

The Incense Pavilion is three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a rolled awning and suspended gable roof on the front eaves and a rolled awning and flush gable roof on the rear. Visually, it appears as a rolled awning structure. Its beam framework follows a “five-rafter beam spanning front and rear eaves, using two central columns throughout.” Both front and rear eaves have seven sets of bracket sets. The column bases differ in style. The front eaves have bracket arms extending outward, while the rear eaves have inward ones. The two side rooms each have one bay width, four rafters in depth, a single-eave flush gable roof, and board tile covering. The side walls feature lattice windows and doors, in good condition, though some paint has faded. The front eaves have two bracket arms extending outward, and the rear eaves have two inward.

The Main Hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure with a single-eave, rolled awning roof, covered in cylindrical and board tiles, and adorned with glazed ridge ornaments. The beam framework consists of “four rafter beams with front tension ties using three central columns, in a front corridor style.” Bracket sets are positioned above the front columns, with layered arches extending outward. The hall is richly ornamented, featuring colored paintings on the upper eaves and bracket arms. Above the front eaves are decorative ceramics, while the lower eaves have brick carvings. The two side rooms each have one bay width, four rafters in depth, a single-eave flush gable roof, and are covered in board tiles.

The Dressing Tower north of the Theater Stage is a two-story pavilion-style building. It is two bays wide, four rafters in depth, with a single-eave flush gable roof and board tile covering. The Theater Stage North Wing Room is two bays wide, four rafters in depth, with a single-eave flush gable roof.

The First Courtyard North Side Room is two bays wide, four rafters in depth, with a single-eave flush gable roof. The First Courtyard North Corridor is five bays wide, five-rafter depth, with a front corridor design. It has a single-eave flush gable roof and board tile covering. The First Courtyard South Corridor has the same structure as the North Corridor.

The Second Courtyard North Corridor is five bays wide, five-rafter depth, with a front corridor design. It has a single-eave flush gable roof and board tile covering. The Second Courtyard South Corridor has the same structure as the North Corridor.

Huangniuti Township: Located on the eastern mountainous edge of Lucheng City, the township government is 20 km from the city center. The township covers a total area of 56.7 square kilometers, governs 20 administrative villages, has a total population of 15,303, cultivable land area of 29,195 mu, and in 2003, the per capita rural income was 2,684 yuan.

Huangniuti Township enjoys a mild climate, with an average annual temperature of 9–10°C, a frost-free period of 180–184 days. Xian Village, the lowest-altitude area in the city at just 616 meters, is where the Zhuozhang River exits.

Major cultural and historical sites in Huangniuti Township include: the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit — Xin’an Yuangqi Temple, the Liaoriver… More details on Huangniuti Township ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units