Sanxia Qingshui Temple Introduction
Located near Sanxia Old Street, the Qingshui Zushi Temple is renowned for its prosperous incense offerings and is dedicated to Qingshui Zushi. It was first established in the 34th year of the Qianlong reign (1769 AD). In the 36th year of the Republic of China, the temple fell into disrepair, and Professor Li Meishu was appointed as the artistic designer and engineering consultant for the reconstruction project. The temple features numerous exquisite stone and wood carvings that blend the styles of different craftsmen and contemporary artists, showcasing the superb craftsmanship and aesthetics of the time, earning it the titles of "Hall of Folk Arts" and "Hall of Eastern Arts." Visiting this temple, which gathers the work of master artisans, one can see the "five-entrance three-hall style" built using traditional methods. Starting from the stone steps of the front hall, the ground, walls, and columns are all made of stone, while the five entrances of the main hall are made of copper. Inside the temple, the dragon columns, floral and bird columns, and wood carvings are intricately designed. The temple is built on a stone base with a wooden top, and looking up, one can see beautifully carved wooden elements. The murals and wood carvings depict stories derived from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Journey to the West," "Investiture of the Gods," and "Twenty-four Filial Exemplars," all created by contemporary masters. The exquisite wood carvings above the main hall (central hall) should not be missed, especially the透雕 stone columns and caisson ceiling. Upon entering the Sanxia Zushi Temple, visitors are immediately captivated by its grandeur and the richness of its religious art. Among the many beautiful stone carvings, the most eye-catching are the twenty stone columns in the main hall. Notably, the three pairs of透雕 stone columns at the entrance to the main hall, including "Double Dragon Peaks and Swords Gathering Celestial Array," "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to Plum Blossom Column," and "Double Dragons Facing Thirty-Six Passes with Eighteen Riders" are particularly delicate, demonstrating the incredible craftsmanship of the time, and are regarded as treasures of the temple. As you walk to the back of the main hall, don't forget to look up at the rare spiral grid caisson ceiling, which features layers of spirals beautifully crafted to show off high artistic value. Due to its maintenance difficulty, this is the reason why incense is not burned in the main hall. After visiting the temple, take a stroll in the nearby streets. In addition to visiting Sanxia Old Street, nearby is the Ganle Cultural Creative Zone where you can taste tofu, drink soy milk, and enjoy local agricultural products. You can also visit indigo dyeing workshops for a DIY dyeing experience.
