Dujiangyan (都江堰)
Erwang Temple, also named Two Kings Temple, is located on the bank of the Minjiang River at the foot of Mount Yulei. This grand and solemn temple was built to commemorate Li Bing (the chief designer and engineer of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System) and his legendary son, whom they had posthumously promoted to kings since the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Erwang Temple was first built around Southern and Northern Dynasty (420-589) and reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Erwang Temple is separated into two sections, the eastern section being gardens and the western temple area. Covering an area of 50,000 square meters, this wooden complex comprises of two parts - landscaping in the east, with palaces and halls in the west, based on the natural setting and geographical environment. The whole temple is in wooden Chuandou structure relying upon existing natural geography and de-emphasizing the axial symmetry in architectural style. The main halls contain the statues of Li Bing and his son.
Each year, local people held sacrifices activity here on the 24th and 26th day of the sixth month of the Chinese Lunar calendar to express their gratitude to Li Bing and his son; the two days being reputedly their birthdays.
Sichuan (四川), China (中国)
April 2013
Erwang Temple (二王庙)
Rhinceros statues near the main entrance. Incidentally, one of the platforms in Dujiangyan
is named 斗犀台 (Rhinoceros-Fighting Platform)...
Erwang Temple was first built around Southern and Northern Dynasty (420-589) and reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Erwang Temple is separated into two sections, the eastern section being gardens and the western temple area. Covering an area of 50,000 square meters, this wooden complex comprises of two parts - landscaping in the east, with palaces and halls in the west, based on the natural setting and geographical environment. The whole temple is in wooden Chuandou structure relying upon existing natural geography and de-emphasizing the axial symmetry in architectural style. The main halls contain the statues of Li Bing and his son.
Due to the location of the temple on the hill, there are a lot stairs within...
Flowering blossoms in the temple...
The prayer halls consisted of several altars with painted murals and stone or porcelain statues, including those of the 8 Immortals and Wu Song...
The water-control formula of Li Bing was carved in the stone:
"When the river flows in zigzags, cut a straight channel;
when the riverbed is wide and shallow, dig it deeper"...
Brass lion head door knocker...
Map showing the original Dujiangyan with the complexity of the water flows drawn in...
Each year, local people held sacrifices activity here on the 24th and 26th day of the sixth month of the Chinese Lunar calendar to express their gratitude to Li Bing and his son; the two days being reputedly their birthdays.
Impact Of 2008 Earthquake
Due to the Sichuan earthquake on 12 May 2008, the entrance gate was ruined, and several halls collapsed. The reconstruction project is currently still in progress.
Visible cracks in the intricate stone carving panels on the bridge leading to Erwang Temple...
Gate exiting to the Anlan Cable Bridge at the Fish Mouth Levee...
