Xixiazhuang Zhaoze King Temple

Xixiazhuang Zhaoze King Temple

Xixiazhuang Zhaoze King Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xixiazhuang Zhaoze King Temple

Era: Yuan and Qing Dynasties

Address: Xixiazhuang Village, Shangyao Town, Licheng County, Changzhi City

The Zhaoze King Temple faces south and has a rectangular layout, consisting of a single-courtyard structure. It is 36.5 meters long from north to south and 21.5 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of approximately 710 square meters, with the main hall spanning about 149 square meters. The temple complex consists of three buildings in total, arranged symmetrically along a central axis. Only the main hall remains on the axis, flanked by east and west corridor rooms. The current scale of the temple is not the original one, but its principal structure — the main hall — still retains elements from the Yuan Dynasty, while the east and west corridor rooms date back to the Qing Dynasty.

The main hall is five bays wide and two bays deep, featuring a front porch, a brick foundation, and a three-level stepped approach in front. It has a flush-gable roof. The bracket sets on the eaves display characteristics of both the transitional style from the Song to the Yuan and the typical Yuan-style bracketing. The overall form is simple yet majestic, reflecting distinct early Yuan features. The wooden structure exhibits early Yuan architectural elements, and the wooden brackets and columns show fine craftsmanship and design.

On October 7, 2019, Xixiazhuang Zhaoze King Temple was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Xixiazhuang Village: General Information

Xixiazhuang Village is located in the northwest of the county and the northwest part of the town jurisdiction, at the foot of the northwestern side of Guangzhishan Mountain. It is 65 li from the county seat and 28 li from the town government. To the east lies Pingtou, to the west Dongpo, to the south it borders Xianfang Village adjacent to Guangzhishan Mountain, and to the north it neighbors Jingbei Village of Xiangyuan County across the mountain. The village covers a total area of 5.79 square kilometers, with 570 mu of arable land. There are currently 213 households and 665 residents.

In 2012, the total rural economic income was 4.04 million yuan, with an average per capita net income of 5,486 yuan for farmers.

… Xixiazhuang Village detailed information++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units