Cixiang Temple

Cixiang Temple

Cixiang Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Cixiang Temple (Fifth Batch National Heritage Site)

Period: Northern Song to Qing Dynasty

Address: Northeast of Jiguo Village, Yancunbao Township, Pingyao County

According to an inscription inside the temple from the first year of the Taihe era in the Jin Dynasty (1201): its construction cannot be later than the period of Emperor Suzong of Tang (756–763), originally named Shengju Temple, and was renamed to its current name in the third year of Huangyou during the Song Dynasty (1041). At the end of the Song Dynasty, warfare reduced it to only the main hall. During the Tianhui era of the Jin Dynasty (1123–1137), the Lutai Pagoda was built on the old site along with over ten halls, towers, and pavilions. The temple underwent renovations across the Jin and Qing dynasties. The existing main hall and pagoda are original structures from the Song and Jin periods, while the rest were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The temple faces south and has three courtyards, consisting of the mountain gate, music tower (only the high platform base remains), Guan Yu Temple, as well as the bell and drum towers flanking the two side walls of the temple, the main hall, eastern cave dwellings, and the Lutai Pagoda (Tomb Pagoda of Master Wuming). It covers a total area of 18,365.5 square meters.

The main hall is one of the principal structures of the temple, spanning three bays in width and six rafters in depth, with a front porch, a single-eave hanging gable roof, and a construction area of 498 square meters. The front eaves feature interlocking bracket sets, a hip-and-gable roof design, layered brackets, and bracket arms. The roof is covered with green tiles. The building uses a lifting beam structure, with four inner columns supporting the space. Inside the hall, there are three existing painted clay sculptures, which have been modified in later periods but still retain Song and Jin stylistic elements. The two side walls are painted with murals dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.

The Tomb Pagoda of Master Wuming, also known as Lutai Pagoda, is located 15.6 meters north of the main hall along the central axis. It is an octagonal nine-story pavilion-style pagoda, standing 48.2 meters tall, and was constructed during the Tianhui era of the Jin Dynasty (1123–1137).

There are nine extant stone steles (or slabs) from various dynasties within the temple.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units