Location info and some photos withheld. As of my last visit, this mural site is vulnerable to theft or destruction. I have not stated the location beneath the county level and omitted any photographs (of steles, signs, scenery, etc.) that might identify the place. If you are an accredited scholar and you have a good reason to want to see this information, email me and we’ll talk about it.
Structure Type: Temple to the Perfected Warrior 真武庙
Period: The style of the murals seems clearly late-Ming (i.e. 16th or early 17th century) to me. There’s a stele explaining that the temple was renovated in the Qianlong reign, but I’m skeptical that this is a date for the murals.
Artist: Unknown.
Mural Contents: The main (northern) wall has collapsed, destroying the main image of the Perfected Warrior; now only the two side-walls remain, showing the Ten Primordial Generals 十元帅 who are his retinue.
Other Notes: The temple is located at the northern end of the axial street of the old walled village. The structure is now abandoned and used by villagers to store corn-stalks. For sheer style, these are some of the best murals I’ve ever seen in a village temple.
Highlights Gallery:
Full Gallery:
