Dule Temple

　　Dule Temple is located inside the west gate of Jizhou County in the northern suburbs of Tianjin. It is one of China’s key cultural relics protection units. The temple was first built in the second year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (628 AD). Its main structures, the Mountain Gate and the Guanyin Pavilion, were rebuilt in the second year of the Tonghe era of the Liao Dynasty (984 AD) and are representative works of ancient Chinese wooden architecture. The roof of the Mountain Gate features a five-ridge, four-slope design and is the earliest surviving hip-and-gable roof mountain gate in China. The Guanyin Pavilion stands 23 meters tall with two stories and a hidden middle floor. Due to varying positions and functions, 24 different types of bracket sets (dougong) are used at the joints of beams and columns, making the architecture renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship.

　　Dule Temple is situated in Jizhou County and is among the first group of key cultural relics protection units announced in China. It is the country’s oldest high-rise wooden pavilion-style building.

　　The Dule Temple Temporary Palace, built in the 18th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (1753 AD), also known as the Qianlong Temporary Palace, served as a resting place for Qing emperors on their way to pay homage at the Eastern Qing Tombs. It is the only surviving temporary palace in the Tianjin area.

　　Records indicate that since its reconstruction during the Liao Dynasty, Dule Temple has withstood 28 earthquakes, including three highly destructive ones that caused the collapse of nearly all other buildings, yet the Guanyin Pavilion remained unharmed. It is the oldest surviving high-rise wooden pavilion in China. The 16-meter-tall standing statue of Guanyin inside the pavilion is benevolent and dignified, with flowing robes, presenting a magnificent sight. As the Guanyin figure is crowned with ten smaller Buddha heads, it is called the Eleven-faced Guanyin. The attendant bodhisattvas on both sides and the heavenly guardians inside the Mountain Gate are also exquisite Liao Dynasty painted sculptures. The four walls of the Guanyin Pavilion feature murals of the Sixteen Arhats and the three-headed, six-armed Wisdom King, painted by Ming Dynasty artists.

　　Dule Temple is located on West Street in Jizhou County, Tianjin. Legend has it that An Lushan swore his troops here before rebelling against the Tang Dynasty. Because he wanted to be emperor and “enjoy pleasure alone without sharing it with the people,” the temple got its name. The ancient temple was originally built in the 10th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, and rebuilt in the second year of the Tonghe era of the Liao Dynasty (984 AD). It is one of only three surviving Liao Dynasty temples in China and one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Tianjin. Dule Temple has been included in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. It is said to have been founded in the 10th year of the Zhenguan era (636 AD) under the supervision of Yu Chijingong, but was later destroyed. In the second year of the Tonghe era (984 AD), Prince Qin Yelü Nugu rebuilt it. Since then, it has undergone multiple renovations and expansions, especially during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, the Qing Dynasty’s Shunzhi, Qianlong, and Guangxu eras, and after 1949, when the scale of the projects was quite large. In the 18th year of Qianlong’s reign (1753 AD), a screen wall was built in front of the temple, and a temporary palace was constructed nearby. In 1961, Dule Temple was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. Today, Dule Temple, along with the White Pagoda Temple, Lu Ban Temple, and the Drum Tower, is a famous tourist attraction in the ancient city of Jizhou. It is also known as the “Great Buddha Temple” because of the large statue of Guanyin inside.

　　Jizhou County is not large. After getting off at the long-distance bus station, you can walk to Wudinghou Street. Perhaps because the iron gate outside Dule Temple is tightly closed, you can’t fully appreciate the grandeur of the Mountain Gate from the road. Entering through a side gate, however, the presence of the Mountain Gate feels truly extraordinary. The gate is about 10 meters tall, and the central plaque in regular script reads “Dule Temple,” inscribed by Yan Song of the Ming Dynasty, giving it a bold and vigorous feel.

　　A friend knowledgeable in architecture explained that the roof of the Dule Temple Mountain Gate has five ridges and four sloping sides. The upturned eaves resemble flying wings, giving the building a solemn and lofty appearance that showcases the unique artistic effect of Chinese architecture.

　　Passing through the Mountain Gate, you will see the Guanyin Pavilion. The plaque above the pavilion, inscribed with “Guanyin’s Pavilion,” was written by the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai when he traveled north to Youzhou at the age of 52. The central statue of Guanyin in the pavilion is 16 meters tall and has 10 smaller heads on top, hence it is also called the Eleven-faced Guanyin.

　　Behind the Guanyin Pavilion is an octagonal pavilion named “Skanda Pavilion.” The statue of Skanda is clad in armor with hands clasped together. Usually, Skanda statues are found in the Heavenly King Hall or Mahavira Hall, so it is quite rare in China for a temple to have a separate pavilion dedicated to Skanda.

　　Since the Guanyin Pavilion and the Mountain Gate share the same central axis, when you stand at the center of the Mountain Gate, the towering form of the Guanyin Pavilion fits perfectly within the frame, creating a scene where a high-rise structure is enclosed within the gate — a traditional layout technique used in temple designs since the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

　　Built during the Tang Dynasty, Dule Temple has a history of over 1,000 years. From years of warfare and earthquakes recorded in history to the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake and up to today, the temple remains intact. Architect Liang Sicheng once said, “In the hearts of the people of Jizhou, it is truly a supreme sacred site.”

　　To the northwest of the Guanyin Pavilion, there are 28 calligraphy steles inscribed by Emperor Qianlong. These are authentic works of the Qianlong Emperor’s calligraphy. Though the inscriptions have faded over time, it is still remarkable to find such treasures in a small county town. This is mainly because the Eastern Qing Tombs were located in Zunhua, and Jizhou became an important stopover for emperors traveling there to worship their ancestors.

　　When discussing Dule Temple in Jizhou, one must also mention Mr. Liang Sicheng. He personally authored the “Dule Temple Special Issue” in Volume 3, Issue 2 of the “Journal of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture.” In explaining the phrase “Ju Zu Yuan Cheng” (具足圆成) inscribed by Emperor Xianfeng in the Guanyin Pavilion, Mr. Liang pointed out that “Ju Zu” (具足) is a Buddhist term, but “Yuan Cheng” (圆成) is not; it should have been “Ju Zu Yuan Tong” (具足圆通).

　　Suggested Duration

　　2 hours

　　Transportation

　　Take Tourism Bus Line 11 and get off at Gujie Xikou Station, or take Bus 531 and get off at Dule Temple Station.

　　Ticket Price

　　35 RMB

　　Opening Hours

　　08:00 – 17:30

　　Location

　　No. 41, Wuding Street, Jizhou County, Tianjin City (Gujie Xikou)

　　Phone: 29142904