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2026.06.16 16:40 GMT+8

Bolingweng Temple: A symbol of China's Jun porcelain heritage

Updated 2026.06.16 16:40 GMT+8
CGTN

Originally built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Bolingweng Temple – which is also known locally as the Kiln God Temple – is one of the most remarkable historic landmarks at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province.

The gate of the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province is decorated with glazed tiles. /CGTN

The front of the gate of the Bolingweng Temple is seen at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

Exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings adorn the front of the gate of the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

The gate of the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province is decorated with glazed tiles. /CGTN

One notable feature of the temple is its gate. From the outside, it serves as the temple entrance, while inside the temple it also functions as an opera tower facing the Kiln God Hall, where three deities associated with ceramic production are venerated. The gate is also renowned for its exquisite stone carvings, wood carvings and colorful painted decorations.

Viewed from inside the temple, the gate of the Bolingweng Temple also serves as an opera tower. /CGTN

Exquisite wood carvings and colorful painted decorations adorn the opera-tower side of the gate of the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

Exquisite wood carvings and colorful painted decorations adorn the opera-tower side of the gate of the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

Visitors walk toward the Kiln God Hall in the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

Nearby stands the Guandi Temple. Originally built in 1750, the temple is dedicated to Guan Yu, a deified historical figure from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). A highlight of the temple is the thirteen-tier dougong bracket system on its wooden archway, reflecting Guan Yu's revered status in traditional Chinese culture.

At the Guandi Temple beside the Bolingweng Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province, the bell tower, drum tower and wooden archway are combined into one structure. The wooden archway is notable for its thirteen-tier dougong bracket system. /CGTN

People visit the Guandi Temple at Shenhou Ancient Town in Yuzhou, Henan Province. /CGTN

Shenhou Ancient Town is the birthplace of Jun porcelain, one of China's five most renowned traditional types of porcelain, and has sustained a porcelain-firing tradition for more than 1,000 years.

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