Daming Hall, formerly known as ‘Baoci Temple’, is located at the northern foot of Chaoshan Mountain. In the early years of Shaoxing during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131), the Hu family donated a mountain garden. Monk Wunai Daoren Facai raised funds to build it. It was ordered to hold the incense for the birthday of Empress Dowager Wei, the biological mother of Emperor Gaozong. The imperial court bestowed the name ‘Baoci Yuanyuan Courtyard’. In March 1934, bandits set fire to Daming Hall after robbing money and goods in the temple. After Zhengfa Zen Master led the monks in the temple to bravely resist, he also burned together with the temple. The precious calligraphy and paintings in the temple were all devastated. Since then, the temple has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and it has continued for hundreds of years. In front of Daming Hall, there are two Chinese toon trees that block out the sky. There is a moon gate in the middle. On both sides of the gate are white walls and black tiles. There are two window openings in the shape of plum blossoms on each side. The door frame and the eaves of the wall are all outlined in black, appearing very elegant and fresh. The foyer of Daming Hall is a courtyard. On both sides of the stone path are dozens of white plum and red plum trees. At the end of the stone path is a stone altar. On the stone altar is an old plum tree. On the stone altar below are the two characters ‘Tang Plum’. It has a history of more than 1,200 years. The plum posture is unique. It lies horizontally and is supported by stones like a half moon. Although it has experienced many hardships, it still stands upright and blossoms every year. Near Daming Hall, Fuxiang Pavilion is specially set up as a tea room. People can taste tea and have a drink here and take a short rest. At the same time, they can also appreciate the profoundness of Chinese culture.
Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30.Daming Hall
Daming Hall, formerly known as ‘Baoci Temple’, is located at the northern foot of Chaoshan Mountain. In the early years […]
