Potoshan Temple

Potoshan Temple

Potoshan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Potoshan Temple

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

Era: Yuan to Qing Dynasties

Address: Potou Village, Beixiazhuang Township, Yu County

The original construction date is unknown. A Yuan Dynasty stone pagoda inside the temple records that it was rebuilt in the seventh year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1357). Renovations were carried out during the Ming Dynasty’s Tian Shun era, the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era, and the sixth year of the Republic of China.

The temple faces south and covers an area of 3,240 square meters, consisting of three courtyards. Along the central axis from south to north are, in sequence: the theater stage (now demolished), stone memorial archway, mountain gate, main hall, and rear hall; symmetrically arranged on both sides are the bell and drum towers, side halls, wing rooms, meditation rooms, Guan Di Hall, and Goddess (Nainai) Hall. The front part of the temple is open and spacious, while the rear is compact and dense, forming an architectural complex with an orderly arrangement of open and dense spaces, varied heights, diverse building styles, and the coexistence of structures from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Both the main hall and the rear hall are Yuan Dynasty structures, while the other buildings date from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The main hall is three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a single-eave gable and hip roof. Its bracket sets are arranged in a single row on each column. The structure follows the “raised-beam” system, with interior columns supporting layered beams and brackets. Behind the hall is a rear corridor, and the roof eaves extend prominently outward. The bracket sets on the columns are also arranged in a single row.

The main hall, rear hall, and east–west side halls contain large areas of murals that are covered with lime plaster.

Beixiazhuang Township: Beixiazhuang is located on the banks of the Yingshan River in the northeastern part of the county seat. It borders Xianren Township to the east, Sunjiazhuang Town to the west, Niucun Township to the south, and Shangshe Township to the north. Situated in a hilly rocky region, its highest elevation is 1,783 meters and the lowest is 800 meters. The climate is mild, with an annual rainfall of about 450–500 millimeters and a frost-free period of 126 days. It is a typical purely agricultural township. The total area of the township is 142,230.5 mu, including 25,413 mu of arable land, 31,488.4 mu of forest land, 4,021 mu of residential land, and 81,308.1 mu of other land uses. There are 23 administrative villages and 325... More detailed information about Beixiazhuang Township++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units