Dougong brackets of Guanyin Pavilion, Dule Temple, Tianjin

At Dule Temple (Temple of Solitary Joy) in Jizhou, Tianjin, the Guanyin Pavilion was initially built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), while the existing structure dates to 984 during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). It is one of the oldest surviving wooden-frame pavilions in China. Beneath the eaves, tiers of dougong brackets project outward, with the wooden components joined by traditional mortise-and-tenon joints. They not only support the eaves but also give the pavilion an elegant, rhythmic profile. After more than a thousand years, the architectural legacy of the Tang Dynasty and the craftsmanship of the Liao Dynasty can still be seen in its sweeping eaves.

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