Top 10 Most Beautiful Ancient Buildings in Shanxi

Shanxi is the province with the most ancient architectural remains in China and is known as the "Treasure House of Ancient Chinese Architecture". Here are some famous ancient buildings in Shanxi: - Foguang Temple: Located in Foguang Village, Doucun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The East Hall in the temple is the second oldest existing wooden structure in China and was called the "First National Treasure of China" by Mr. Liang Sicheng. - Nanchan Temple: Located in Lijiazhuang Village, Yangbai Township, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Tang Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the oldest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. - Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: Located in Fogong Temple in the northwest of Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Liao Dynasty. It is the tallest and oldest existing wooden pagoda-style building in China and is also one of the three wonders of the world. - Jinci: Located in Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, it was built to commemorate the founding princes of the Jin State, Tang Shuyu and his mother, Queen Jianghou. It is the earliest existing royal sacrificial garden in China. The Holy Mother Hall in the temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty and is the best example of the "Construction Law". - Hanging Temple: Located at the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburbs of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty. It is the only unique temple in China where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are combined. The architectural style is unique and breathtaking. - Huayan Temple: Located at No. 459, Xiasiapo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Liao Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the largest existing Liao and Jin Dynasty Buddha Hall in China. It was praised as the "Oriental Venus" by the famous art historian Zheng Zhenduo. - Yongle Palace: Located at No. 78, Yongle North Street, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Yuan Dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved Taoist palace in China. The Sanqing Hall in the temple is China's "Abu Simbel", the best of the Yuan Dynasty murals. - Feiyun Tower: Located in Dongyue Temple, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Ming Zhengde period. It is the largest existing pure wooden structure building in China and is known as the "North Tower and South Tower" together with the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. - Guangsheng Temple: Located in Guangsheng Temple Town, Hongtong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the first year of Jianhe of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Feihong Tower in the temple is the most complete and oldest existing glazed tower in China. - Xiaoxitian: Located on the top of Phoenix Mountain in the west of Xixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the second year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the largest existing Ming Dynasty hanging plastic group in China, known as the "Hanging Plastic Masterpiece".