Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple

Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple

Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple is a Major National Historical and Cultural Site.

Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple in Zhangzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province

Cultural Relics Grade: Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites

Era: Main hall from the Yuan Dynasty; stage, side halls, etc. from the Qing Dynasty

Address: Dazhonghan Village, 8 km west of Zhangzi County, Changzhi City

Condition: Severe leakage in the Yuan Dynasty main hall; gable walls leaning

Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple is located to the west of Dazhonghan Village in Changzhang Township, Zhangzi County. It faces south with a single-courtyard layout, covering an area of approximately 730 square meters. The construction date is unknown. The main hall is a relic of the Yuan Dynasty, while the rest of the structures are from the Qing Dynasty.

The main hall of Sanzong Temple is situated at the northern end of the temple courtyard, flanked by east and west wing rooms on either side. In front of the main hall are east and west side chambers, while the southern end features a two-story mountain gate. The ground floor serves as the entrance passage, and the upper floor functions as a reverse-facing stage. The main hall is three bays wide and six rafters deep. It was originally a hanging hip roof but has been converted to a single-eave flush-gable roof with tubular tiles and decorative glazed ridge ornaments. The front eaves columns feature five-purlin double brackets with layered intercolumnar brackets and straight, flat curved brackets; the projecting brackets resemble qin-faced ang shapes, with diagonal brackets on the central bay. No intercolumnar brackets are installed. The roof framework consists of four-rafter beams paired with two-rafter beams using three pillars. The front corner columns are square chamfered stone pillars, while the interior columns are round, thick, and show signs of splicing. Other than the main hall, the remaining structures are smaller in scale and simpler in form.

The architectural layout of Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple is relatively intact, with the main hall largely retaining features of Yuan Dynasty architecture, making it of significant historical and architectural research value.

In May 2013, Dazhonghan Sanzong Temple was designated as part of the Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites