Yangquan Guanwang Temple

Yangquan Guanwang Temple

Yangquan Guanwang Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Also known as "Lao Ye Miao" (Temple of the Lord), Guanwang Temple is located on the mountainside of Yuquan Mountain, about 2 kilometers southeast of Yangquan City in Shanxi Province, northern China. It is a temple built during the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127 AD) to worship Guan Yu.

Guanwang Temple was first built in the fifth year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1072 AD) and underwent renovation in the fourth year of the Xuanhe era (1122 AD), with multiple repairs carried out in subsequent dynasties. The temple covers an area of approximately 7,000 square meters and consists of an inner and an outer courtyard. The main structure is the central Hall of Guan Wang in the inner courtyard, which also includes the Offering Hall, Duanmen Horse Hall, North and South Side Halls, surrounding corridors, Five Passages, as well as buildings in the outer courtyard such as the East Tower Stage, Arrow Landing Pavilion, Horse Drinking Pavilion, and the East Gate of Guan Temple. While some parts of the architecture follow the styles of the Tang Dynasty, most of the structures adhere to the architectural standards outlined in the Song Dynasty’s Yingzao Fashi (Treatise on Architectural Methods). The hall enshrines statues of Guan Yu, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, and others. These sculptures are exquisitely crafted, vividly portrayed, and hold significant artistic value.

Guanwang Temple is the oldest surviving temple dedicated to Guan Yu in China and holds important cultural and historical value. It also provides valuable physical material for understanding various aspects of ancient Chinese history, art, science, and architecture. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units