Yunyang twon is situated
on the north bank of Yangtze River, 64 kilometers below Wanxian. It is
famous for the salt industry. Local products in Yunyang also include large
quantities of tung oil, goatskin used in treating wooden junks.
Zhang
Fei Temple is opposite bank to the Yunyang town. With glazed tile and
red walls perches on the Flying Phoenix Hill, it was commemorate General
Zhang Fei, one of the three sworn blood brothers of the state of Shu during
the Three Kingdoms Period. This temple is a famous historical sites along
the Yangtze River.
Zhang Fei
was noted for his loyalty to friends and his bravery. He met Liubei and
Guanyu and became sworn brothers at the Peach Garden and vowed to combine
their strengths to restore peace and order to the country. He
was said to have been murdered Yunyang by two treacherous officers during
battle.
Surrounded
by gardens, Zhang Fei Temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty
(960-1227 A.D.) and was restored by Emperor Tongzhi in the late 19th century.
In front of the main hall are giant statues of the three famous sworn
blood brothers-Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Inside the hall sits the
wild-eyed, red-faced Guan Yu; on either side are scenes from his life.
The Helpful Wind Pavilion, built 850 years ago, contains steles and huge
portraits of the general and his wife. It is said that his spirit, in
the form of a helpful wind, frequently assisted passing boats. The temple
is famous for rich collections of paintings, tablets and inscriptions,
the serial bells of Western Zhou Dynasty, bronze sword of Eastern Zhou
and exhibitions of pottery, bronze, porcelain and jade carvings.
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