I came to Guanyin Hall in Changzhi because of the game "Black Myth: Wukong".

Every day, I learn something new about ancient architecture. Today, I'm in Changzhi. 📍Location: Guanyin Hall, Changzhi, Shanxi 🚗Transportation: It's easy to get to by taxi. 🎫Ticket: The price is very affordable, only CNY 10 per person. 🕐Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 every day. ⚠️Note! Guanyin Hall will be temporarily closed for maintenance from July 25 to September 25, 2024. If you plan to visit during this period, please adjust your schedule in advance. Guanyin Hall, hidden between the high-rise buildings and residences of Liangjiazhuang Village in Changzhi, may seem a bit out of place, but as soon as you step into the gate, the solemn and sacred atmosphere of the main hall immediately hits you. As you step into the main hall, you will find that the walls, pillars, and beams are all adorned with exquisite hanging sculptures, depicting heavenly scenes, Gui Dianlan Pavilion, Qiong Lou Yuyu and other fairyland, as well as various characters in the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. These more than 500 sculptures of various sizes, each one lifelike and unique in shape. In a space of only 60 square meters, there are so many hanging sculptures densely displayed, the scale and density of which are indeed breathtaking. If Xiaoxitian is known as the "swan song of hanging sculpture art", then Guanyin Hall is undoubtedly the "dazzling pearl of hanging sculpture art". ■In terms of historical background, Guanyin Hall was built in the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1582) and has a history of hundreds of years. As one of the four well-preserved Ming Dynasty hanging colored sculptures in the country, it is a representative of hanging sculpture art, along with Dahui Temple in Haidian, Beijing, Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao, Jinzhong, and Xiaoxitian in Xixian, Linfen. ■The core of the main statue in the hall is the self-contained Guanyin, including Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. In particular, the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva is very unique, with its natural and relaxed posture and smiling expression, which is quite different from the common image of Guanyin in other temples, so it is called "self-contained Guanyin". ■The integration of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism is reflected in the decoration of the hall. The first three floors on the north and south sides respectively display Buddhist figures such as the Eighteen Arhats, the Fourteen Heavens, and the Twelve Yuanjue. The fourth floor above the flat beam and the big beam, on the other hand, depicts important figures in Taoism and Confucianism, such as the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother, the Three Officials, and the Seventy-two Virtues of Confucius, cleverly combining Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist culture with historical legends to create a unique cultural harmony. Guanyin Hall is not only a Buddhist holy place, but also an art treasure house that showcases the beauty of the integration of traditional Chinese culture, and is worth savoring by every visitor.