Jiali Jintang Temple

Jiali Jintang Temple is a Qing-dynasty temple monument in Jiali District, Tainan, built in 1698 (the 37th year of the Kangxi reign) and now enshrining the Three Lords — Zhu, Lei, and Yin — popularly called the "Three Elder Lords of Xiaolong." Ye Wang's celebrated Jiaozhi pottery was installed here during an 1855 renovation, but all of it was later replaced by cut-and-paste mosaic (jianzhan) master He Jinlong during a 1928 renovation and no longer survives at the temple today. He Jinlong's surviving mosaic work, spanning the inner and outer walls, roof ridges, and the rear wall of the main hall, is considered one of the most complete collections of jianzhan craftsmanship in Taiwan; the temple was designated a third-grade national historic monument in 1985.

Jintang Temple was founded in 1698 (the 37th year of the Kangxi reign) under the original name Dong'an Temple. Renowned craftsman Ye Wang was commissioned to create Jiaozhi pottery during an 1855 renovation, but all of that work was replaced by Chaoshan cut-and-paste mosaic (jianzhan) master He Jinlong during the temple's fourth major renovation in 1928 — Ye Wang's originals no longer survive. He Jinlong's surviving mosaic work spans the inner and outer walls, roof ridges, the front hall entrance, and the rear wall of the main hall; the temple was designated a third-grade national historic monument in 1985.

What to see at Jiali Jintang Temple

Jintang Temple is located on Zhongshan Road in Jiali District, Tainan. The temple was originally founded during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty and has been repaired and expanded multiple times over the centuries. The Ye Wang Jiaozhi pottery housed within is the temple's most important cultural asset. Ye Wang (Ye Linzhi) was the most representative Jiaozhi pottery craftsman in Qing-dynasty Taiwan, known for the refinement of his glazes and the vivid lifelikeness of his human figures. Surviving originals are rare, and what Jintang Temple has preserved constitutes important cultural heritage.

The temple architecture itself has considerable historical value as well, with skilled craftsmanship in the ridge mosaic (jianzhan) and woodcarving ornamentation. The worship route through the temple is clearly laid out, and the temple has provided labeling to help visitors identify the Ye Wang Jiaozhi pottery pieces. It is advisable to use the temple's explanatory materials or a guide when visiting in order to correctly distinguish between Ye Wang's original works and later repair additions, to avoid confusing the two. The focus of a visit here is quiet appreciation of static craftsmanship, and the pace is correspondingly unhurried.

Tips for getting the most out of your visit

Practical information

Source: Wikipedia entry on Jiali Jintang Temple and Tainan City Bureau of Cultural Affairs historic site data. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.