Today we planned to explore Jincheng. In the morning, we visited the Jade Emperor Temple Jincheng, also known as the Colored Sculpture Museum.
A temple being called a museum already suggests the richness of its collection. Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, it has a history of over 900 years.
Upon entering, I noticed that the bracket structures under the eaves looked different from those seen in previous days. A teacher nearby was explaining, so I listened in and later researched further.
In addition to dougong (bracket sets), there is another structural element called “ang.” While dougong forms closed, curved brackets, ang is upward-curving and more decorative. Compared to the more regular dougong, ang appears more dynamic and elaborate.
The teacher mentioned that double-bracket systems are considered lower in hierarchy, while combinations of one bracket and one ang are more advanced. Truly, there is knowledge everywhere.
Beyond architecture, the temple is most famous for its Yuan Dynasty colored sculptures and murals.
Entering the Hall of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, we encountered twenty-eight life-sized sculptures.
The Twenty-Eight Mansions originate from ancient Chinese astronomy, where the sky was divided into twenty-eight sections corresponding to the moon’s path. Each was given symbolic names and later personified in Daoism as celestial deities governing cosmic order.
The sculptures here bring these constellations to life. Each figure displays a unique posture—some solemn, some kind, others dynamic—and each is accompanied by an animal representing its celestial identity.
Our next stop was the Chengtang Hall, built during the Jin Dynasty to honor King Tang, the founder of the Shang Dynasty.
It is said that this hall was originally intended as a prototype for a larger main hall that was never built, making it an important experimental structure.
Behind it stands the Jade Emperor Hall, dedicated to the Jade Emperor, one of the highest deities in Daoism. The statue is imposing and majestic—this was my first time seeing such an image.
It had been raining for several days. After lunch, we planned to visit the Jincheng Museum, but it was closed for renovation.
Instead, we went to a shopping mall. Passing a bakery, we suddenly felt tempted and bought a large selection of cakes. Back at the hotel, that became our dinner—an experience with a playful, childlike sense of indulgence 😀
📍 Travel Logistics
🛏️ Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Jincheng Gushuyuan
🚗 Transportation: Rental Car
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