The scenic area of the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors is located in the southwest of the imperial city of Zhongdu in Ming Dynasty and on the north side of Yunji Street. It is composed of 27 individual buildings with a total construction area of 5607 square meters. The overall architecture of the scenic area adopts the official architectural style of Ming Dynasty, basically restoring the original appearance of the buildings. According to the architectural pattern, it is decorated and exhibited. There are mainly three exhibition areas: the restoration of the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors, Ming Dynasty culture and Taizu Hall, with an exhibition area of 1711 square meters. In Chinese history, the sacrifices to past dynasties’ emperors and sages have a long history. However, the joint temple sacrifice began in the early Ming Dynasty. In 1373, the sixth year of Hongwu period, Zhu Yuanzhang issued an imperial edict to build the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors and offer sacrifices in spring and autumn every year. The Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors in Zhongdu of Ming Dynasty is not a religious place. The objects enshrined and sacrificed inside are not gods and Buddhas, but the place where the founding emperors of the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, Xia, Shang, Zhou, Han, Sui, Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties and famous generals and ministers of past dynasties were sacrificed at the beginning of Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang built the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors in Nanjing and Fengyang, but they have all disappeared in the long river of history. At present, there are only two Temples of Past Dynasties’ Emperors in the whole country. One is the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors in Beijing built in the Jiajing period after the capital of Ming Dynasty was moved to Beijing. The other is the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors in Zhongdu of Ming Dynasty rebuilt in Fengyang. Opening hours: open all year round from 08:00 to 17:30.
Fengyang Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors
The scenic area of the Temple of Past Dynasties’ Emperors is located in the southwest of the i[...]
