Dou Dafu Ancestral Temple
窦大夫祠
A Yuan-dynasty shrine honoring Dou Chou, an official of the Jin state in the Spring and Autumn period, with an exquisite caisson ceiling in its offering hall; an overlooked architectural gem on Taiyuan's northern outskirts.
Dou Dafu Ancestral Temple is at the foot of Lieshi Mountain in Shanglan Village, Jiancaoping District. It honors Dou Chou (Dou Mingdu), an official of the Jin state in the Spring and Autumn period, who is said to have dug canals here to bring water to the local community. The main hall and offering hall were rebuilt in the Zhizheng era of the Yuan dynasty. The offering hall has no columns at its four corners, and its octagonal caisson ceiling, supported by dougong brackets, is a fine example of Yuan timber architecture. The hall contains a seated statue of Dou Chou. Beside the shrine, the Lieshi Cold Spring is one of the Eight Views of Ancient Jinyang. Few visitors come here, so it suits architecture enthusiasts who want to look slowly. Admission is low-cost or free (confirm on site). About 20 km from downtown, it is best reached by self-drive or taxi, and it can be combined with Fenhe Second Reservoir and Jueweishan Duofu Temple along the way.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Jingyin Temple (Tutang Great Buddha)
- Duofu Temple & Juewei Mountain
- Fen River Scenic Area
- Shanxi Museum
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Taiyuan
- China Coal Museum
- Taiyuan Zoo
- Zhonglou Street & Liuxiang