Erxian Temple

Visiting historical sites in Shanxi is somewhat like the old days when officials were sent to the countryside; you need to walk through streets and alleys and go deep into the fields because many nationally or provincially protected sites are either inside villages or surrounded by vast farmland. We set off from the hotel at nine o'clock, and soon the road narrowed, leading us onto a rural path lined with cornfields on both sides. Following the navigation with several turns, we arrived at Erxian Temple in Gaoping. Erxian Temple is located at the peak of Erxian Ridge in Xilimen Village, Hexi Town, Gaoping City, so it is also called Xilimen Village Erxian Temple. It is a niche attraction with only two or three cars parked in front. You can register with the gatekeeper to enter and visit. In the small Xilimen Village, this Erxian Temple was actually first built during the Tang Dynasty, with repairs during the Jin, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The architecture is exquisite, especially the carvings on the side of the moon platform, which, despite years of weathering, remain vivid and expressive. Unfortunately, two precious Jin Dynasty line engravings, "Song and Jin Drama Scene" and "Jin People’s Scarf Dance," have fallen off. The restored replicas are unclear and lack the charm of the originals.