Baoguo Temple is nearly a thousand years old, and is the oldest structure in southern China entirely made of wood. This Han Dynasty temple can be found in a secluded valley on Lingshan Mountain, flanked on either side by Xiangbi Mountain and Shiyan Mountain, covering a total area of 13000 square meters.
The complex is made up of a number of separate structures, including Shan Men (Mountain Gate), Tian Wang Dian (Hall of Heavenly King) and Da Dian (Grand Hall). The architectural style of the buildings is rare for Buddhist temples of this era and has been important for the study of history and the arts in China. The roof of Da Dian weighs over fifty tons and is supported entirely without the use of nails, instead relying on interlocking wooden brackets. It is also said that a bird has never nested and a spider never made a web inside the hall.
In total, the temple has 17 halls, displaying a collection of numerous Buddhist artifacts, bronze utensils, sculptures and ornate antique furniture.
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