Xixian County's Xiaoxitian in Shanxi

Xiaoxitian, also known as Thousand Buddha Nunnery, is located at the peak of Phoenix Mountain west of Xixian County in Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It is a Buddhist Zen monastery founded by the Ming Dynasty monk Dongming in the second year of the Chongzhen era. It was originally named for having a thousand Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall. Later, due to the inscription 'Path to the Western Paradise' above the main gate and to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty monastery in the south of the city named 'Daxitian,' it was renamed 'Xiaoxitian.' 📍Detailed address: At the peak of Phoenix Mountain west of Xixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province 👍Most recommended: The total building area of Xiaoxitian in Xixian County is more than 1,100 square meters, with many halls such as the Mahavira Hall, Manjusri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Beamless Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Weituo Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower. The monastery is divided into the upper, middle, and front courtyards by using caves as entrances. Two-thirds of the temple halls are double-layered structures, with layers upon layers and twists and turns, creating a secluded path that not only has the layout of a typical monastery but also the charm of garden architecture. 🌟Highlights: In the Mahavira Hall's heavenly pavilions, there are many beautifully posed flying Apsaras, divine birds, peacocks, and parrots, standing amidst the misty clouds. On the railings of the platform in front of the hall, there are twelve musical Bodhisattvas. All the statues here, with their well-proportioned human figures, plump and soft skin, lively and natural postures, and smooth lines of clothing, range from over 3 meters tall to small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Although most of the more than a thousand statues in the temple are preserved here, the vast sculpture group is complex yet not cluttered, naturally orderly, set against the layered heavenly pavilions. The entire hall, with its colorful decorations, not only presents a charming scene of a fairy palace and Buddha land but is also rich in the breath of life.