Beimajiu Three Brothers’ Temple

Beimajiu Three Brothers’ Temple

Beimajiu Three Brothers’ Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Shanxi Province.

Beimajiu Three Brothers’ Temple (Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties

Address: Beimajiu Village, Longma Township, Hongtong County, Linfen City

Beimajiu Three Brothers’ Temple faces south and features a single-courtyard layout. Along its north-south central axis are, in sequence, the main hall with side wing rooms, the offering pavilion, the stage, and the east and west dressing towers; a Guanyin Hall is built at the southeastern corner of the courtyard.

The main hall is three bays wide and two bays deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered in gray clay tubular tiles and adorned with gray clay ridge ornaments. The beam framework consists of a four-rafter wooden structure with bracket sets supporting layered extensions. The front eaves feature a continuous large lintel. The beam framework and bracket sets of the main hall exhibit distinct architectural characteristics from a specific historical period.

The offering pavilion is a remnant structure from the Yuan Dynasty, square in plan and of the four-cornered style, with a single-eave cross-cupola roof, approximately 6 meters in total height and 3-meter column spacing. It has a brick base, with stone slabs paving the surrounding area and a semi-circular brick stairway at the front. The column capitals are fitted with four-tiered bracket sets, with bracket arms and layers of bracket sets stacked upward. The overhanging eaves are short, stout, and solid, displaying distinct features of northern Chinese wooden pavilions. The bracket sets, beams, and arches feature rich decorative carvings, some of which have partially preserved colored paintings.

The stage faces north and its original construction date is unknown. It was renovated in the 35th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1696), and the current structure dates to its renovation in the 25th year of the Daoguang reign (1845). It is three bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof, tubular tile covering, and gray clay ridge ornaments. On both sides of the stage are symmetrical "eight"-shaped brick screen walls.

The temple currently houses two stone tablets recording renovations from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Source of information: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Beimajiu Village: Beimajiu Village…… More detailed information about Beimajiu Village++

Further Reading:

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