Situated about 15km (9.32 mi) from Ningbo's downtown area in Jiangbei district is Baoguo Temple (Bàoguó Sì, 报国寺)—one of the longest surviving wooden building south of the Yangtze River.

The grounds were originally home to another temple which was destroyed, rebuilt, and destroyed again when Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty destroyed Buddhist temples and removed nuns and monks, believing them to be a drain on the economy and Buddhism a foreign religion. The temple was restored when Buddhism returned to imperial favor later in the Tang Dynasty and was renamed after an inscription by the emperor that meant "protect the country." The Grand Hall, or "beamless hall," was built in the Northern Song Dynasty in 1013.

If the fact that this wooden temple has more or less survived for nigh on a millennium isn't impressive enough, it was constructed without the use of a single nail. A later restoration during the Qing Dynasty did, however, make use of nails.

The main hall has proven itself to be quite the enigma. Birds, rodents and insects refuse to nest in the temple. During renovation in 1975, it was discovered the Chinese juniper wood used in the construction of the temple gave off an intensely fragrant smell that drives away animals and insects. The structure of the hall helps keep wind blowing in from outside, keeping the air in constant motion and supposedly keeping dust from settling in the hall.

To hear a more in-depth account of the temple's history, hire an English speaking guide, available on the premises.

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