Explore Memorial Temple of Lord Bao

Posted by ugfanfan on September 18th, 2014

Lord Bao (999-1062), named Bao Zheng, who was a well-known officer in the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127). He is well respected for his wonderful individuality, impartial judgments and accurate family education. In rememberance, many memorial temples were built after his passing away. Among which the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao is the most renowned, which lies in Baohe Park in the southeastern part of Hefei City , his hometown. The current appearance of the temple is reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

When enter the beautiful park, walk through the stone gate and wander along the small path around the lake, you will find the solemn temple . It is a typical synthetise with houses around a courtyard. The main palace with five halls is the highlight of the temple.

In the center of the palace is a enormous seated statue of Lord Bao, about nine feet in height, holding a scepter in one hand and a pen in the other. The dignified, serious expression on his face represents his impartial and incorruptible moral personality. Four bodyguards stand on his two sides. On the left of the statue was instruments of torture, recognized as symbols of justice. In the eastern and western halls display several items of Lord Bao.

To the east of the hall is a hexagonal pavilion with a well. There are stone inscriptions on the wall of the pavilion which record that once a corrupt officer  got a serious headache immediately after drinking water from the well, while some benevolent persons would find it as sweet as honey,thus this the well is also called Honest Well. To the west of the hall is Liufang Pavilion where, it is said, Bao often studied when young.

There is an inscription stone in the temple which was found in the tomb of Bao Zheng in Daxingji County, Hefei in April, 1973. This inscription stone records detailed information of Bao's whole life which is helpful for a deeper understanding of him.

The sites of the newly built Waxwork Museum of Lord Bao and Cultural Gallery of Lord Bao is deserving of your visit as well.

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