Chongming Temple

Yesterday afternoon, after driving from Kaifa Temple in Gaoping via Pingqu Line and Erxi Line, and then walking a section of Shihe Line, I turned left and walked 4 kilometers northeast on a narrow country road, arriving at Chongming Temple at 3:40 PM. Chongming Temple, originally named Langgu Temple, is located in Guojiazhuang Village, Hexi Town, Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. It was founded during the Kaibao period of the Northern Song Dynasty (968-975 AD) and was rebuilt in the sixth year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1826 AD). Chongming Temple faces south with two courtyards, covering an area of about 1,958 square meters. It consists of the Shanmen (Mountain Gate), Middle Buddha Hall, Rear Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, Watchtower, two corridors, and the East and West side halls. The Middle Buddha Hall is located at the center of the temple, built on a platform about two feet high. The Rear Hall is five rooms wide with a single-eave gable roof and glazed ridge decorations. Inside the temple, there is a stele from the second year of Chunhua in the Song Dynasty (991 AD) titled 'Record of the Creation and Bestowal of Shengfo Mountain Chongming Temple,' a stele from the Ming Dynasty for repairs, and a stele from the Qing Dynasty for reconstruction. The Buddha Hall in the temple has undergone several renovations and has withstood the test of time. Despite being over a thousand years old, it is still well-preserved, making it a precious historical and cultural heritage of ancient Chinese architecture. Although the building is a relic of the Northern Song Dynasty, its architectural style largely follows the Tang Dynasty style and has unique structures with high architectural artistic value. On June 25, 2001, Chongming Temple was announced as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Ticket Information: Free Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30 daily (summer), 9:00-16:30 (winter) Transportation Information: You can take bus No. 3/101 in Gaoping City and transfer to bus No. 193/191 to reach the temple, but it takes about 2 hours. It is recommended to drive there.