Shishi Penglai Palace

Shishi Penglai Palace

Shishi Penglai Palace is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Shishi Penglai Palace is located in Shishi Village, Lücun Township, Tunliu County, Changzhi, Shanxi Province. It was built in the first year of the Longfei era under Lü Guang of the Later Liang. The complex includes 28 rooms, comprising the Offering Hall, Wanghuang Hall, and Corner Halls. The entire architectural complex is grand in scale and exquisitely crafted. It is listed as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

The structure faces south and follows a single-courtyard layout, measuring 45 meters in length from north to south and 26 meters in width from east to west, covering a total area of 1,170 square meters. Its exact founding date is unknown, but the ridge beam of the main hall bears an inscription indicating renovation in the ninth year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1859). The existing stage dates back to the Qing Dynasty, while the other buildings are remnants from the Ming Dynasty. Along the central axis from south to north are the stage (also serving as the mountain gate), the Offering Hall, and the Main Hall. On both sides are the East and West Dressing Towers, East and West Corridor Rooms, and East and West Side Halls. There are four stone tablets preserved within the temple. The Main Hall is built on a 1.05-meter-high sandstone platform, featuring a three-bay width, five-rafter depth, and a six-rafter structural system. It has a single-eave, hanging gable roof covered with gray clay tiles, and is fitted with panel doors and straight lattice windows. The gable walls retain about 4 square meters of Qing Dynasty murals, and the beams are painted with golden dragons. The mountain gate consists of two parts: the lower section serves as a passageway with a central panel door used as the entrance to the temple, while the upper section forms a reverse-facing stage.

In May 2013, Shishi Penglai Palace was designated as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level