The Lonely Temple Keeper Deep in the Mountains of Shanxi｜Heartwarming Temple Chats

Every time I go out to explore ancient sites and rural temples, the thing that makes me happiest is not discovering or finding something special, but chatting with the local cultural heritage protectors, the elderly uncles and aunties. I don’t know why, but I love chatting with them, freely and openly, saying whatever comes to mind without holding back. It just feels very comfortable. Sitting in the courtyard, having a casual chat, and when leaving, they endlessly remind me to take it slow on the road. I find this even more joyful than seeing a stunning ancient building. This is also why it’s hard for me to go out with my companions. Guangzu Longwang Temple is located in Guangzu Village, Tianning Town, Jiaocheng County. It faces south, with the courtyard measuring 18.22 meters long from north to south and 15.84 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 289 square meters. The exact date of its founding is unknown. It was renovated in the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign (1843) and the 19th year of the Republic of China (1931). The existing structure is a Qing Dynasty relic. At the south end of the central axis is the mountain gate, and at the north end is the main hall. On the east and west sides, from south to north, are the bell (drum) towers, side halls, and ear halls. The mountain gate is one bay wide, four purlins deep, with a five-beam frame, a single-eave hanging gable roof, and features a set of dougong brackets with six clusters. The main hall is three bays wide, four purlins deep, with a four-beam front porch frame, a single-eave hanging gable roof, and features dougong brackets with seven clusters of three-step single-angled brackets. The rear wall has a 14.28 square meter mural of the "Dragon King and All Beings," while the murals on the interior gable walls are faded and unclear.