Bao Zheng Temple包公祠
Bao Zheng Temple stands on the shore of Bao Gong Lake in Kaifeng, honoring Bao Zheng, the most celebrated incorruptible official of the Northern Song. Popularly known as Bao Qingtian (Clear-Sky Bao) for his fairness, integrity, and legendary verdicts, he is commemorated here with exhibits on his life and deeds — the city's main integrity-education base.
Kaifeng · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Bao Zheng Temple worth visiting?
Memorial temple to Song-dynasty judge Bao Zheng in Kaifeng, first built in the Jin dynasty 800 years ago and rebuilt in 1984; entry 30 yuan, students 15 yuan, open 8:00-18:00.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Adults ¥30; students and seniors ¥15 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-18:00 |
| Recommended duration | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round (spring scenery at its best) |
| How to get there | City buses to the Baogong Ci stop; taxis to the Bao Gong lakefront |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| First built | Jin dynasty (built by local initiative, about 800 years ago) |
| Rebuilt | |
| Commemorated figure | Bao Zheng (999-1061) |
| Popular name | Bao Qingtian (Clear-Sky Bao) |
| Area | About 1 hectare |
| Plaque | Baogong Ci inscribed by calligrapher Qi Gong |
What to expect
Bao Zheng Temple was first built in the Jin dynasty some 800 years ago and has been restored many times. The buildings seen today date from the 1984 reconstruction and occupy a quiet, elegant lakeside site beside the west arm of Bao Gong Lake.
The main structures are the entrance gate, the main hall, and the second hall. The main hall enshrines a bronze statue of Bao Zheng beneath murals of storied cases such as Zha Mei An (The Case of Chen Shimei); the second hall displays his life story and famous judgments.
Bao Zheng (999-1061), courtesy name Xiren, was a native of Hefei in Luzhou and a famous minister of the Northern Song. Serving with clean hands, impartiality, and fearless candor, he became the popular archetype of the honest official — the Clear-Sky Bao — and his stories spread far among the people.
How to get there
City buses 15 and 20 from downtown Kaifeng reach the Baogong Ci stop; set a taxi navigator to Baogong Ci. The temple is about 10 minutes by car from Kaifeng railway station.
Best photo spots
- The temple gate, under the plaque calligraphed by Qi Gong
- The bronze statue of Bao Zheng in the main hall
- Willows reflected in Bao Gong Lake
- Details of the old architecture inside the temple
Tips
- Pair the visit with a boat ride on Bao Gong West Lake
- An integrity-education base that draws group tours on public holidays
- A guide is worthwhile for the Bao Zheng stories
Scams to avoid
- No notable scam risk; a regular, officially run sight
Frequently asked questions
Are Bao Zheng Temple and the Tomb of Bao Zheng the same place?
No. The temple honors Bao Zheng, while his tomb (the memorial park) is in Hefei. Kaifeng's temple commemorates the years he served in office in this city.
What else is worth seeing nearby?
The temple sits right beside Bao Gong West Lake, and Kaifeng Prefecture and Longting Park are both close enough to combine in one day.
How much is admission, and are there discounts?
Adults 30 yuan, students and seniors 15 yuan. Opening hours are 08:00-18:00; arrive early for a thorough visit.
Read next
Other things to do in Kaifeng
Kaifeng City Wall
One of China's best-preserved ancient city walls, running 14 km; the southeastern section is open for walks along the top.
Fan Pagoda
Kaifeng's oldest surviving building, begun in 976 — a hexagonal six-story brick pagoda about 36 m tall and a treasure of Song architecture. Grounds free; the relics office charges CNY 10.
Kaifeng Prefecture
Rebuilt in 2003 as a replica of the Northern Song's chief prefecture in Kaifeng, covering about 2.6 hectares; entry 65 yuan, students 35 yuan, open 08:00-18:30.
Longting Park
Qing-dynasty imperial garden on the site of the Northern Song palace in Kaifeng, its 30-metre hall of 1692 rising above 72 steps; entry 50 yuan, students 25 yuan, open 7:00-19:00.
Yanqing Temple
One of the three ancestral Quanzhen Taoist temples, founded around 1242 in Kaifeng; entry 30 yuan, students 15 yuan, open 08:00-18:00, its halls blending Taoist and Mongolian yurt styles.