Taoist Jade Emperor Temple is the largest and most influential Taoist temple in ancient Zezhou. There are 300 clay sculptures of Taoist Gods in the temple, which form a system and they also display the God system of the Taoism in China, especially the 28 clay sculptures. They are the only one in the existing clay sculpture heritage in China. Among the Gods in Taosim, the position of the “the golden palace of boundless heaven is extremely supreme where lives the Jade Emperor” (also called Taoist Jade Emperor) is the highest, so this temple is called Taoist Jade Emperor Temple which is the key relic protection unit. This temple was built in 1076 (the ninth year of Emperor Shenxi of Northern Song Dynasty. There are three gates in a line. The first and second are Mountain Gates. The gates, pavilions of Gods and hall of Taoist Jade Emperor are in the same central axis. The horizontal layout of the temple is oblong shape with 110 meters in length and 32 meters in width. There are 110 halls and pavilions, which cover 3520 square meters. It’s a group magnificent ancient building. In the main hall, there are Taoist Jade Emperor and Putian Star King. In the left and right side halls stand the statues of Three Galaxies and Buddhist Saints. In the bungalows of east and west, there are the statues of nine stars, six grand commandants, twelve heavenly stems and 28 lunar mansions.
Tips
Address
North of the hillock in Fucheng Village, Zezhou County, 13 kilometers northeast to the downtown of Jincheng City, Shanxi Province
Best time to travel
May-October
Travel Tips
The scenic spot of Taoist Jade Emperor Temple is not completely developed and there is not perfect supporting service facility around it so tourists can make use of the service facilities: hotels, banks, hospitals, posts, gas stations etc. in the downtown of Jincheng city.