Author(s)

Ziqian Zhang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ College of Applied Arts and Sciences, Beijing Union University, Beijing, China

Corresponding Author

Ziqian Zhang

ABSTRACT

Huining Temple in Beipiao, Liaoning Province, is the largest and best-preserved Buddhism temple with the most complete layout in Northeast China, bearing a history of nearly 300 years and embodying the profound integration of Mongolian, Manchu, Han and cultural elements. This paper first sorts out the historical evolution, geographical background and overall architectural layout of Huining Temple, elaborates on its architectural form characteristics of combining Buddhism's Mandala imagery with Han-style central axis symmetry and the Sino integrated decorative art, and also introduces its overall relocation and protection project for the Baishi Reservoir construction. Then, it focuses on the in-depth analysis of the mural art in the Mahavira Hall, Scripture Collection Pavilion and Guandi Hall of the temple, including the thematic content, composition forms, line techniques and color application characteristics of the murals in different halls, and reveals the multicultural integration characteristics reflected in the murals, such as the reference to Han-style landscape painting techniques and the absorption of Peking Opera facial makeup color rules on the basis of Buddhist painting traditions. Finally, the paper makes a preliminary inference on the production materials and craft techniques of the murals from the aspects of ground layer materials, mineral pigment types, layered painting techniques and the protection and restoration measures adopted during the relocation. As a typical carrier of multicultural communication in the Mongolian area of the Qing Dynasty, Huining Temple and its murals not only have important historical and artistic value, but also provide precious physical materials for the study of the spread of Buddhism in the northeast of China and the cultural integration of various ethnic groups in the Qing Dynasty.

KEYWORDS

Huining Temple in Beipiao; Buddhism Temple; Architectural Form; Mural Art; Ethnic Cultural Integration; Production Techniques

CITE THIS PAPER

Ziqian Zhang. Overview of Huining Temple and Its Murals in Beipiao. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology (2026). Vol. 8, No.1, 105-112. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2026.080114.

REFERENCES

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