Fenyang Wuyue Temple

Fenyang Wuyue Temple

Fenyang Wuyue Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Fenyang Wuyue Temple

Fenyang Wuyue Temple (Sixth Batch of National Heritage)

Era: Yuan to Qing Dynasties

Address: Beiyuyuan Village, Sanquan Town, Fenyang City

According to inscriptions on beams and stele texts, it was rebuilt in the third year of the Tiande era of the Jin Dynasty (1151), with renovations carried out during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The existing Wuyue Hall and Narcissus Hall are Yuan Dynasty structures, while the rest were built during the Qing Dynasty.

The temple faces south and has a courtyard layout, covering a total area of 7,200 square meters.

The Wuyue Hall is the main structure in the temple. It features a single-eave, hanging hip roof, with three bays in both width and depth. The central bay is enlarged by moving the side columns outward, while the side bays are reduced in size. The central bay has a plank door, and the side bays have lattice windows. The front eaves feature bracket sets with a complex arrangement. The hall columns are adorned with carved dragons, and the caisson ceiling is decorated with colorful paintings. Originally, there were about ten large paintings. The hall also contains an inscription that reads: “After the great flood in the later years of the Kangxi reign, the five sacred mountains were worshipped together, and this building was constructed during the reconstruction period.”

The Narcissus Hall is located to the east of the Wuyue Hall. It has three bays in both width and depth, with a single-eave, hanging hip roof. The bracket sets are intricately arranged, and the bracket arms are inclined at a 15-degree angle. The beam frame is also exposed, using raw timber. The interior features a sumeru pedestal with brick carvings that are largely well-preserved. The middle section of the pedestal is carved with historical stories, floral motifs, figures, and window lattice patterns, all rendered with vivid craftsmanship. A beam inscription reads: “Constructed on the tenth day of the third month in the year of Gengzi during the fourth year of the Yuandade era, at the hour of Jisi.”

Both halls house exquisite murals. The Wuyue Hall murals are painted on three walls, the lintel, and the caisson ceiling, covering approximately 100 square meters. The Narcissus Hall murals depict scenes of the Narcissus deity’s departure and return.

In May 2006, Fenyang Wuyue Temple, as an ancient structure from the Yuan to Qing periods, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Beiyuyuan Village: Beiyuyuan Village…… More information about Beiyuyuan Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units