in the Houtu Temple at Miaoqian village, Baojing township, Wanting county,Shanxi, there exists the “Houtu Temple appearance Stele” carved in the 15th year, Tianhui reign, Jindynasty and recarved at the turn from the Jiajing to the Tianqi reign, Ming period. The Stele depicts asmaller and a larger square platforms within the courtyard in front of the main hall. The former is asquare mound encircled by railings and must cover a stone case, while the latter, located in front of that,is an open-air terrace and functioned both as an altar and a stage.