Baoshan Temple of Ciqikou Ancient Town

Baoshan Temple and Ding Zhaozhong – Brief Introduction

The Baoshan Temple is one of the so-called "Nine Palaces and Eighteen Temples" of Ciqikou Ancient Town, which once was a Taoist one, now is the biggest square courtyard in Ciqikou Ancient Town of Chongqing Municipality. It is particularly constructed with a spacious ladder shaped yard, in which there is a platform and an ancient well. The believers worship here and drink the water from the well and then step in the main hall to pray to the Buddha in the years.

The main hall of Baoshan Temple looks grand and magnificent with the woodworks have been carefully carved in window and the lintel, especially the pair of pedestal with gold kylins (an animal in Chinese historical records), which is excellent and beautiful. The construction of Baoshan Temple has been used according to the Taoist concept about Yin & Yang and the Five Elements--- Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Soil. For example, the front door face to Jialing River in the southeast, just because of the indication about Water and Fire.

Baoshan Temple and Ding Zhaozhong – History

Baoshan Temple is known throughout the world. During Qing Dynasty and early period of Republic of China, Taoist believers held religious activities in Baoshan Temple. In early 1930, Sichuan Education Institution has been established in Ciqikou Ancient Town but replaced as Southwest Normal College Primary after Chongqing liberation.

Baoshan Temple and Ding Zhaozhong – Attraction

After thousands of years, some of opera lovers from Ciqikou Ancient Town as well as professional opera actors performed in Baoshan Temple for enjoying. Dozens of bamboo chair and the old steps formed the simple auditorium in Baoshan Temple. Tourists are able to enjoy the opera of china ancient style.

Baoshan Temple and Ding Zhaozhong – The Story about Ding Zhaozhong

There is a story about patriotic personage Ding Zhaozhong, a winner of Nobel Prize.

Ding Zhaozhong was born in America in 1936, but later once lived and studied in Ciqikou Ancient Town for six years when left for Nanjing City in 1945. In 1956 Ding Zhaozhong went to USA  with the help of Prof. Brown of Michigan University and married an American girl Louise. With the support from Mrs. Ding, in 1974, Mr. Ding discovered Particle J at end of that year, which aroused much concern in the whole academic circles.

In 1976, Ding Zhaozhong was awarded Nobel Prize for physics with another professor. In later ceremony, Ding Zhaozhong insisted to speak Chinese at first then English, which was the first time that winners could use two languages.