Bao Yan Temple

　　    According to the Shaoxing Prefecture Annals from the Jiajing era, Bao Yan Temple was originally built in the first year of the Dashaun era of the Tang Dynasty (890 AD), and was then called “Xinghui Temple.” In the first year of the Zhenming era of the Later Liang Dynasty (915 AD), it was renamed “Zaixing Temple.” In the first year of the Longde era of the Later Liang Dynasty (921 AD), it was renamed again as “Taiping Xingfu Temple.” In the first year of the Tiansheng era of the Song Dynasty (1023 AD), it was given its current name, “Bao Yan Temple.” It was rebuilt twice — once during the Yuan Yanyou period (1314–1320 AD) and again in the 12th year of the Ming Jiajing era (1533 AD). The main hall’s beam still bears an inscription reading: “Reconstructed on the 22nd day of the 2nd month in the year of Gui Si, the 12th year of the Jiajing reign of the Great Ming, at an auspicious hour,” along with the phrase: “Wishing long life and eternal prosperity to His Majesty the Emperor.”

　　    Bao Yan Temple features a distinctive architectural style: the main hall has a square floor plan with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, spanning five bays in both width and depth, covering a total area of 400 square meters. Its bracket sets feature lotus-shaped corbels, and all beams are composite structures. The column capitals use straight ang, while the outer eave intercolumnar bracket sets turn inward using upward ang. The painted figures, dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns on the beams and brackets remain vividly colorful — these are the handiwork of famed Ming Dynasty painters Yan Zongru and Shangguan Bodar. The lotus-patterned column bases, some fir wood columns, and the front eave beams retain the architectural style of the Song Dynasty, whereas the bracket sets and main beams reflect Ming Dynasty renovations. As such, the temple stands as the only extant physical example illustrating the transitional architectural styles of the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties in northern Fujian.

　　    Bao Yan Temple has now been converted into the Shaowu City Museum.