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Located on the former administrative street of Shenhou Town, Yuzhou City, the Bolingweng Temple is a kiln temple, commonly known as the Grand Temple. A couplet in running script is inscribed on a bluestone pillar at the temple entrance. The first line reads: "The miraculous elixir and precious talisman will be passed down through the ages." The second line reads: "Kun's virtue is separated from utilitarianism and all merchants." This couplet, with its neat parallelism, unique ingenuity, and rich local flavor, is truly intriguing.
The meaning of this couplet is: (Shenhou) The precious and magical secret recipe of Jun porcelain glaze and porcelain-making technology have been handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, and people have made a living from it; the unique raw materials and the magical kiln fire used to fire Jun porcelain are beneficial to thousands of merchants, making their business prosperous and their wealth abundant.
The main gate of the Bolingweng Temple in Shenhou is commonly known as the "Flower Opera House" because, upon entering, one looks back and sees a small pavilion-style stage where operas are performed. A pair of bluestone lions, one male and one female, stand on either side of the temple's entrance, a truly charming sight. In 1957, a severe flood in Shenhou caused water to overflow the Zuoyu Bridge and flow onto the main street. The right (west) lion bore the brunt of the flood and was displaced, slightly misaligned with the bluestone pillar behind it, which is inscribed with a couplet. Fortunately, it escaped serious damage. The semicircular arched gate of the Bolingweng Temple is inscribed with the four large characters "Bolingweng Temple." Originally, the temple enshrined three kiln deities: Bolingxianweng, the Golden Fire Mother, and the Earth Mountain King. These deities were all closely associated with Shenhou's Jun porcelain industry: the Earth Mountain King controlled the raw materials, Bolingxianweng controlled the porcelain craftsmanship, and the Golden Fire Mother oversaw the firing techniques. Each was essential.
The warm temperate continental monsoon climate makes it suitable for travel in all four seasons.
Over the past decade or so, every roadside snack stall in Shenhou Town has featured a "baomao roll chuanchuanxiang" stall. The usual sizzling heat draws diners flocking to the stalls, savoring the chuanchuanxiang rolls. Fried chicken legs, chicken cutlets, and chicken tenders are generously portioned, and the five main dishes are charged separately. Chuanchuanxiang is paid for by the number of bamboo skewers, a true manifestation of Chinese fast food culture. It's recommended to take a leisurely stroll and savor the local cuisine.
It is recommended to play for about 3 hours.
free
Open all day
Por Ling Weng Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Xuchang, Henan. It holds cultural and religious significance as a place of worship and a site preserving traditional Chinese architecture and Buddhist heritage.
Entrance usually requires a small fee, payable on-site. Online ticketing is generally not available.
Booking in advance is generally unnecessary; tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
1–2 hours, allowing time to explore the temple halls, gardens, and take photographs.
Guided tours are mostly in Chinese; English-language guides are rare and may need special arrangements.
Start at the main entrance, visit the primary halls, proceed to the inner courtyards and gardens, then finish at scenic viewpoints.
Night visits are usually not allowed. Special religious ceremonies may occur on festival days.
Moderate crowds; weekdays and mornings are the best for a quieter experience.
Cash is accepted; mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) may also be used at some vendors.
Local restaurants offering Henan cuisine are near the temple. Small cafes or snack stalls are also nearby.
Vegetarian options are generally available; halal options may be limited.
Several small hotels and guesthouses are located within short distance of the temple in Xuchang.
Souvenir shops offer religious charms, traditional crafts, and local snacks.
