Bawang Temple, also known as Xiang Wang Temple or Xiang Yu Temple, is a historical site dedicated to Xiang Yu, a prominent figure in Chinese history. In 202 BC, after his defeat, Xiang Yu committed suicide here, and later generations established this temple in his honor. The original structure consisted of 99 and a half rooms, with the legend stating that only an emperor could build a temple with a hundred rooms. Since Xiang Yu did not complete his imperial ambitions, the temple was built with half a room less.
The couplet in front of the temple reads: ‘Sima Qian, a Han official, wrote a chapter in the Records of the Grand Historian, and it is believed that there is no biased writing in the history; Du Shixi, a true hero, wept bitterly in the spiritual temple, and to this day, the plants and trees are still filled with sorrow.’ Poets such as Meng Jiao, Du Mu, Su Shunqin, Wang Anshi, and Lu You have all inscribed poems here. Inside the Bawang Temple, there is a giant statue of Xiang Yu made from boxwood, depicting him leaning forward, eyes wide open, with a sword in one hand and one foot stepping forward, exuding the same majestic aura as in the past.
To this day, by the Wu River, on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, the statue of Xiang Yu in Bawang Temple is always shrouded in smoke. People from surrounding towns and villages gather for a small temple fair. They barter or sing and play, and amidst the hustle and bustle, the standing Xiang Yu seems to have more joy and less majesty. The temple is open all year round, from 8:00 to 17:00; details are subject to the public notice of the scenic area.
Additional information on preferential policies: 1. A. Free ticket policy: Children under 1.2 meters (not including) are free of charge; people over 70 years old (not including) with ID cards are free of charge.
B. Preferential policies: Children over 1.2 meters (not including) and under 18 years old, people between 60 (not including) and 70 years old (including) with senior citizen cards, college students with student cards, and active-duty military personnel with military officer cards can purchase preferential tickets for the scenic area (the above preferential policies need to be purchased on-site at the scenic area).
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