Huazhai Guan Yu Temple

Huazhai Guan Yu Temple

The Huazhai Guan Yu Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Huazhai Guan Yu Temple (Fifth Batch of Provincial-level Protected Sites)

Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties

Address: Huazhai Village, Zangzhai Township, Ying County, Shuozhou City

The Huazhai Village Guan Yu Temple is located on the eastern side within Huazhai Village. It faces south and has a two-courtyard layout, covering a total area of 1,264 square meters with a built-up area of 287 square meters. Along the central axis are the main hall, the theater stage, and on both sides are the east and west side halls and other cultural structures. Currently, three heritage buildings remain: the main hall, the theater stage, and the east side hall. It is a relatively well-preserved traditional temple complex.

Main Hall: Facing south, the hall is five bays wide and five rafters deep, with a front porch, a single-eave flush gable roof, and gray tubular tile roofing. The interior beam structure consists of a five-rafter beam opposing a single forward step beam, using three vertical columns along the span. The main beam structure features architectural characteristics of the Qing Dynasty. The statues inside the hall are newly made, while the murals on the back wall and the east and west side walls are original historical works.

East Side Hall: Facing west, the hall is three bays wide and three rafters deep, with a four-rafter beam spanning front to back, a single-eave flush gable roof, and modified doors and windows.

Theater Stage: Facing north, the stage sits on a stone base, is three bays wide and five rafters deep, with a single-eave roll-roofed canopy, gray tubular tile roofing, and a beam structure of a five-rafter beam spanning front to back, using two vertical columns along the span. The main beam structure shows architectural features of the Qing Dynasty. The five-rafter beam is fitted with a camel hump and a three-rafter beam, with components such as mushroom pillars and forked hands supporting the ridge nodes. The rear eave wall features a mural of a qilin (mythical creature).

The main hall and theater stage of the Huazhai Village Guan Yu Temple feature beam structures that are characteristic of Qing Dynasty architecture and are structurally intact. The building retains a significant amount of exquisite brick and wood carvings in its decorations and walls, rich in symbolism. The Huazhai Guan Yu Temple reflects the architectural standards of the Qing Dynasty in the region and serves as physical evidence for the study of local craftsmanship and art of that time.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Huazhai Village: Huazhai Village…… More detailed information about Huazhai Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units