In the north of Zhongwei City in the ancient city, the grand ancientbuilding Gaomiao, which is built on the high platform connecting the city walls,is particularly attractive. Gaomiao, built in Yongle period of Ming Dynasty, iscalled "new temple".
In the autumn of the 48th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the QingDynasty (1710 A.D.), it was rebuilt due to the collapse of the earthquake. Afterthat, it was rebuilt in the second year of Daoguang, the third year of Xianfengand the eighth year of Guangxu, and was renamed "Yuhuangge". In the early yearsof the Republic of China, it was renamed "Gaomiao", with a construction area of2510 square meters. It is a complete and magnificent ancient buildingcomplex.
The high temple faces south. The front courtyard is Bao'an temple. Enteringthe mountain gate, the dazzling single eaves Xieshan main hall stands on thefront; the wing rooms on both sides, dizang palace, Sanxiao palace and threeauxiliary halls have their own characteristics. After Baoan Temple is the mainbuilding of Gaomiao. Along the 24 steps paved with green bricks, the brickarchway of Gaomiao stands in front of us. A couplet in the memorial archway isvery interesting. The first couplet is: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism areall from here; the second couplet is: the self creation and self transformationof heaven, earth and man are all here; the horizontal inscription is: thesupreme bridge of Dharma. Go through the south gate and reach the middletower.
The middle building is ingenious and unique, with triple eaves and threelayers of slopes. On both sides of the way, there are East and West Tianchi andbrick Tianchi, with flying bridges connecting with the South Tianmenrespectively. The statue of Taibai Venus on the upper floor of the middlebuilding is solemn and dignified; the statue of Guanyin on the middle floor ispeaceful and charitable; and the painting of the twenty-eight nights on thelower floor is elegant. Finally, it is divided into upper, middle and lowerlevels of the Jade Emperor of the five mountains and the Virgin Mary hall. Onthe front of the lower level is the Wuyue temple, with three palaces in the Eastand the ancestral hall in the West; on the middle level is the statue of theJade Emperor in the middle, with Dacheng hall in the back to worship Confucius;on the front of the upper level is the yaochi palace, with three religiouspalaces on both sides. The Wenwu building on the East and west sides of thebottom floor of the third hall is a unique scenery: Wenlou is modeled asWenchang, and its body is not like a monster; Wulou is modeled as Guan Gong,riding a red rabbit chasing the wind horse. The Dragon King Palace on the lowerfloor of the Wenwu building is made of the Dragon King of the four seas. It hasdifferent looks, excellent skills and admiration. The hell palace under thebrick archway is full of various strange images, such as blue face, red hair,serrated tusks, ferocious face, and calm demeanor The whole painting has richimagination, rigorous structure, bright colors and delicate brushwork, whichshows the extraordinary skills of folk artists.
It's a pity that more than 1700 painted statues and paintings in Gaomiaotemple were destroyed in the turbulent times. Today, although many paintedstatues have been made up, they are far from enough!
The main buildings of Gaomiao are located on a central axis. The auxiliarybuildings are located on both sides, balanced and symmetrical. In only
On the high platform of more than 20__ square meters, there are nearly 100buildings of different types and styles, such as Jiuji Xieshan, Sijiao zanjian,Shizi Xieshan, and general's helmet top. The whole building complex is amasterpiece of ancient architecture in Ningxia. It is composed of double towers,pavilions and corridors, cornices, twists and turns, compact and full ofchanges.