Yiju Temple

Yiju Temple

Yiju Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yiju Temple

Yiju Temple (Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Yuan to Qing Dynasties

Address: Zaogedacun Village, Zaogeda Township, Lin County

Originally built during the Song Dynasty, it was formerly known as “Fotang Temple” and originally served as a branch temple of Tianguan Temple. The existing main hall dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, while the rest were constructed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple faces east and has three courtyards, covering an area of 5,981 square meters. The central axis includes, in sequence, the mountain gate, front hall, main hall, scripture depository, and Ten Thousand Buddha Cave (a grotto), with over twenty side halls and corridors built on both sides. The main hall is seven bays wide and four rafters deep, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, glazed tile trimming, and brackets with intricate carvings. The interior features...

The Ten Thousand Buddha Cave grotto covers an area of 59.78 square meters, with a flat ceiling carved with patterns such as reclining oxen, crouching tigers, monkeys, rabbits, lotus flowers, and lingzhi mushrooms.

Yiju Temple has a long history, grand scale, and majestic presence. It is the foremost surviving temple architecture in Lin County and a highly valuable historical and cultural heritage site. In May 2006, Yiju Temple was approved by the State Council as part of the Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units for its ancient architecture dating from the Yuan to Qing Dynasties.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units