Beichang Puyin Temple

Beichang Puyin Temple

Beichang Puyin Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

Beichang Puyin Temple (Fifth Batch Provincial-level Protected Site)

Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties

Address: Beichang Village, Duan Town, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Beichang Puyin Temple’s founding date is unknown. According to the Pingyao County Annals, the temple was built during the Tang Dynasty, renovated in the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1621–1627), and repaired again during the Qing Dynasty.

The temple faces south and has a single-courtyard layout. Along the central axis from south to north are the mountain gate and the main hall, flanked by side rooms and wing halls on the east and west. Among the extant structures, the main hall is a relic from the Ming Dynasty, while the others were built during the Qing Dynasty. The main hall houses three Ming Dynasty statues, a 17-square-meter mural on the rear eaves wall, and one wooden carved Buddhist shrine.

The main hall is three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof. It features corridors along both front and rear eaves. The beam frame consists of three crossbeams connected to single-step beams in the front and back, using four pillars across the span. Below the eaves, the bracket sets are adorned with stylized carvings, and the decorative patterns are similar. The roof ridges are gently sloped, covered entirely with gray tiles and featuring square glazed center ornaments. Although the overall structure was built in the Ming Dynasty, some parts still retain Yuan Dynasty architectural characteristics. Inside the rear eaves of the hall is a Buddhist shrine with wooden eaves and bracket sets, housing painted niches and colored paintings. The ceiling is richly decorated. The hall also features murals covering over 10 square meters.

Beichang Puyin Temple is a well-preserved Buddhist temple from the Ming and Qing periods, integrating architecture, painted sculptures, and murals from those dynasties. Such comprehensive examples are rare among surviving Ming and Qing temples. The murals and painted sculptures are also among the more valuable relics of their kind in Shanxi. The site holds significant historical and artistic value.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Beichang Village: Located just 200 meters from the town government, at the intersection of the Pingtai Highway and the Changdong Highway. Major cash crops include red dates, sweet potatoes, and corn. The village economy mainly relies on livestock breeding and income from migrant work. Beichang Village Primary School was rebuilt in 2009 with a total investment of over 700,000 yuan. In 2010, the village completed the second round of provincial-level renovations for rural activity centers. The village enjoys a superior geographical location and convenient transportation, and has a long history. A local folk rhyme goes, “Golden Chang Village, Silver Duan Village, Bala Drum Little Hu Village,” and another says, “Go to Beichang, see Duan Village, An She Seven Caves Little Hu Village,” reflecting the past prosperity of Beichang, which is... More detailed information about Beichang Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units