Nanzheng Longfu Temple

Nanzheng Longfu Temple

Nanzheng Longfu Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Longfu Temple

Longfu Temple (Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Ming

Address: Nanzheng Village, Nanzheng Township, Pingyao County

Nanzheng Longfu Temple is located in the north of Nanzheng Village, Nanzheng Township, Pingyao County. It faces south and features a three-courtyard layout. According to the Pingyao County Annals from the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was originally built in the second year of the Yuandade era (1298), renovated during the Ming Dynasty, and the surviving buildings date to the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of 2,954 square meters.

Along the central axis of Nanzheng Longfu Temple, from south to north, are successively a screen wall, the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the platform base of the Great Buddha Hall, and the Mahavira Hall. On the east and west sides are the bell and drum towers, meditation rooms, side halls, and wing halls. The mountain gate is five bays wide and four rafters deep, with a flush gable roof. The central bay serves as the entrance, while the side bays have longitudinal partition walls with statues in front and murals of the Four Heavenly Kings on the walls. The Mahavira Hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. The front eaves feature five-curved double-ang brackets, and the beams and brackets are richly painted. The hall’s interior and exterior beams are adorned with colorful paintings. The bracket arms are carved with floral patterns. The eastern and western side halls are two bays wide and two bays deep, with a single-eave gable roof. A stone inscription from the 18th year of the Daoguang era (1838) recording repairs to the main hall is found above the eastern side hall.

Nanzheng Longfu Temple has a well-organized layout, with the Qing Dynasty structure well-preserved. It houses multiple exquisite Qing Dynasty murals. The main hall uses high-quality materials and fine craftsmanship, possessing significant historical and artistic value.

In May 2013, Nanzheng Longfu Temple was designated as part of the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units