Baogo

Brief information

Baoguo began as a Buddhist monastery and became a place where the temple grounds are read through commerce. It was built in 1103 during the Liao dynasty; later, after being destroyed by an earthquake in the Ming era, the complex was restored. Already in the imperial period, the space changed its purpose: under the Ming, the temple served as a refuge for members of the imperial family, and under the Qing, a book and flower market was set up here.

After 1949, the complex stood empty, but trade later returned to its grounds. Baoguo is therefore important not only because of its age: here it is especially clear how a monastic layout became the basis for an antiques market. According to data from 2017, its sacred significance was preserved only partially, while the place’s recognizability increasingly rested on books, coins, paper money, stamps, badges, and postcards.

What to notice right away

Information about Baoguo’s appearance is limited, but several details help one look at the place more precisely. It makes sense to compare the three temple halls: two of them no longer function as former worship spaces, but have been turned into exhibition pavilions. This makes it clearer that the commercial function here was not attached to the temple from the outside, but occupied important parts of the complex itself.

Another layer can be seen in the small buildings on the monastery grounds: shops have appeared in them. On weekends, more temporary commerce is added to the permanent premises: street vendors lay out goods on tables and blankets. This creates a useful contrast: the stone or wooden buildings of the former monastery and portable trading spots work together. The market items are also important for reading the place: old books, coins, paper money, stamps, badges, and postcards continue the line of book trade known here since the Qing period.