Shiqian Longevity Palace |
On the axle wire of the palace, from west to east, there are the Arched Gate (shān mén 山门), Opera Tower (xì lóu 戏楼), Qiandian Hall (qián diàn 前殿) and Zhengdian Hall (zhèng diàn 正殿).In the Qing Dynasty, the gate was changed so as to face the south. The arched gate was erected to the sky, constructed with huge carved bricks. On the two sides of the gate there are stone lions sitting there, which are high up to 2 meters. Go through the gate, you can see the magnificent opera tower. The flowery sunk panel and the unique half arch make the tower resplendent and magnificent. On the left and right side of the tower, there is the corridor, which is tens miles long. The corridor is with carved window, painted red and engraved with flowers. Opposite to the Opera Tower, there is the Qiandian Hall. Together with the Ziyun Palace (zǐ yún gōng 紫云宫) and the Shengdi Palace (shèng dì táng 圣地堂), the hall is more than 40 meters wide. Between the two palaces, there are the Bell and Drum Tower (zhōng gǔ lóu 钟鼓楼). On the first day of the lunar month, the clock and drum sound simultaneously, which makes you completely relaxed and happy. Stepping into the Bell and Drum Tower, bypass the stone lanes and paths, you can see the Zhengdian Hall. On the shrine in the hall, there consecrates the statue of Xuxun (xǔ xùn 许逊). The whole Shiqian Longevity Palace is surrounded by high walls, on which there laying hollow tiling. In the palace, there also exhibits the mask and ware of Chinese nuo Drama (nuó xì 傩戏). The Shiqian Longevity Palace is the only museum of Chinese nuo drama. Wanshou Longevity Palace
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