Gaoping Jinfeng Temple

　　Jinfeng Temple (Third Batch of Provincial-level Protected Sites)

　　Era: Yuan Dynasty

　　Address: At the eastern foot of West Mountain, 1 kilometer southwest of Gaoping City

　　Also known as Lingyan Temple, the year of its establishment is unknown. In ancient times, it was one of the three major temples in Gaoping, housing numerous monks. The site boasts elegant scenery, facing the Dan River in the front and overlooking Daliang Mountain to the east across the river. From a high vantage point, the entire urban area of Gaoping can be seen. The temple features overlapping courtyards and interconnected pavilions, all set within a serene location. The inscriptions on stelae and plaques in front of the halls were all penned by notable figures of the time. Jinfeng Temple was once destroyed by war but underwent large-scale reconstruction during the Yuan Dynasty.

　　The temple faces east and is built along the mountain terrain, consisting of four courtyards. Existing structures include: the mountain gate, Leiyin Hall, Seven Buddhas Hall, rear hall, side halls, monks' quarters, wing rooms, totaling more than 80 rooms. The mountain gate has three bays and a hanging hip roof. In front of the gate, there is a pair of brick-carved couplets: “The moon over Jinfeng shines like a lamp, the clouds in the stone chamber serve as curtains.” The Leiyin Hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure, featuring five bays in width and eight rafters in depth, with a single-eave hanging hip roof. The column-top bracket sets are of the lingering flower style, and the beams use through-tenons. The hall structure retains many architectural techniques from the early Yuan Dynasty. The main ridge is decorated with intricate carvings, and the bracket arms are adorned with lotus petals. The hall is eight meters high, and the interior space is tall and bright, giving off an extraordinary atmosphere. The front eaves feature colorful paintings, and the painted beams and carved rafters create a resplendent sight, making it one of the most ornate buildings in the area. On the lower eaves of the front porch are carved reliefs of divine beasts, adding a sense of solemnity and mystery. On the ridge beam is inscribed a line of calligraphy: “The soaring dragon and dancing phoenix guard this blessed land,” highlighting the temple’s sanctity. The lower courtyard is symmetrically arranged, with distinctive layout methods. One inscription reads: “The temple was initially established during the peaceful years of the Zhenguan era.”