The Zhongwei Gao Miao, or High Temple, located in the town near the Zhongwei County, 170km southwest ofYinchuan City, is a grand jumble of buildings and styles. Construction was completed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and was subsequently repaired in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). This special temple used to serve for a few various religions, such as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and even Christianity.
High Temple covers an area of about 4000 m² and has about 250 temple rooms, towers and pavilions; which are built symmetrically and layers upon layers to 29 meters high.The present structure is composed of the Baoan and High Temples. Baoan is a Buddhist Temple. It has a mountain gate facing south and rooms on each side similar to a phoenix spreading its wings. The Hall of Mahavira stands in the front.
The High Temple can be reached by ascending 24 stairs. Visitors will see archways, Southern Heavenly Gate, Wuyue Hall, Yuhuang (Jade Emperor) Hall, and Shengmu (Heavenly Mother) Hall in succession. On the two sides of the temple lie the symmetrically shaped Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Lingguan Hall, Wen (Literary) Tower and Wu (Military) Tower. These compact structures all feature Taoist architecture. There is an elaborate sound and light show under the temple’s platform conveying what hell must be like. This startlingly vivid presentation is frightening, but is also intended to be educational.
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