Baoshan Jade Emperor Pavilion

　　    The Jade Emperor Pavilion is situated on the right mountainside of Taibao Mountain in the west of Baoshan City. Constructed during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it is a three-story, double-eaved building featuring bracket sets, supported by 36 tall columns. The top is entirely made up of beams and bracket sets, gradually converging into an eight-trigram shape as it rises, with the roof adorned with the Taiji diagram. The roof is covered with golden glazed tiles, featuring upturned eaves that present a dignified and majestic appearance. Inside the building, there are exquisite murals, clay sculptures, and reliefs. In front of the pavilion, there are two pavilions and one terrace, along with three lush old cypress trees. Nearby are other structures such as the Taiqing Immortal Realm, the Xuan Emperor Temple, and the Wenchang Palace, making it one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Baoshan.

　　    Curiously, the second floor of the Jade Emperor Pavilion has a plaque that reads “Sincerity Never Ceases” (至诚无息) in vermilion-yellow characters when viewed from the front; “Dragon Soars and Phoenix Dances” (龙飞凤舞) in red-green characters when seen from the left; and “Calm Seas and Clear Rivers” (海晏河清) in brownish-red characters when viewed from the right — a marvel among marvels. To this day, no one has been able to fully explain the mystery behind it, which fully reflects the ingenuity of the ancient working people. On either side of the Jade Emperor Pavilion are octagonal bell towers, also known as the “Quanzhen Tower.”