Zhousu Shengyou Temple

Zhousu Shengyou Temple

Zhousu Shengyou Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Shengyou Temple is located northwest of Zhousu County in Yili, by the Hongnaha River at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. The temple is shaded by ancient trees and towering pines and firs, creating an otherworldly atmosphere as you step inside. Looking along the central axis, eight buildings are arranged in a well-spaced, symmetrical layout. In addition to the screen wall, mountain gate, front hall, main hall, and rear hall, which are aligned along the central axis, there are also side halls with flush gable roofs and an octagonal two-story, double-eaved pavilion.

The main structure of Shengyou Temple features a hall that is 17 meters wide, with seven bays and a square floor plan. It has an exaggerated overhang, high roof pitch, steep roof, and upturned eaves at the four corners resembling dragon heads reaching for the sea. Below the eaves, the bracket sets are multi-tiered and intricately crafted, with gilded plasterwork, carved beams, and painted rafters, all contributing to a resplendent and magnificent appearance. The massive columns supporting the hall’s porch are adorned with paintings of rare birds and animals—fierce tigers, majestic lions, golden deer, qilin, phoenixes, and monkeys—in a myriad of dynamic poses. The central wall of the main hall also features traditional Chinese-style murals depicting scenes such as two dragons playing with a pearl, phoenixes flying wing to wing, Jiang Ziya fishing, and Su Wu herding sheep, all truly breathtaking.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level