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2024 Gaoping Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in September)
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【Black Myth: Wukong】Filming location, Tiebosi Temple is open, Destiny people hurry up and make an appointment
Previously, Tiebosi Temple was not open to the public, but recently it has finally opened its doors.
Destiny people, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and make an appointment!!!
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📍 400 meters north of the intersection of Gongmao South Road and Gaizhou Street, Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province·Tiebosi Temple
🚗Transportation: You can take bus No. 118🚌, and there are also two parking lots nearby if you drive, which is very convenient.
⏳Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:30, closed on Monday
🎫Tickets: Free
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About visiting
Do not go during peak season, as you may be turned away. Although Tiebosi Temple is open, there are daily limits on the number of visitors and the visiting time. You can make an appointment online in advance, and if you can't get an appointment, you can also go to the site to see if you can get a number.
The temple currently houses 27 statues, including Shakyamuni, Guanyin, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and the Fourteen Heavenly Kings.
The mask worn by the Monkey King in 【Black Myth: Wukong】is based on this temple. The statues are solemn in appearance, showcasing the superb casting skills of ancient China.
Visited Chongming Temple again.
Chongming Temple, originally known as Langgu Temple, is located 15 kilometers southeast of Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, at the eastern foot of Shengfo Mountain. Chongming Temple was founded during the Kaibao period of the Northern Song Dynasty (968-975). It was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1826).
In 1999, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage invested 500,000 yuan to carry out a major overhaul of the Zhongfo Hall. The Zhongfo Hall, which has experienced thousands of years of vicissitudes, is a precious historical and cultural heritage in ancient Chinese architecture. This building is a relic of the Song Dynasty, but in terms of architectural style, many places follow the Tang style, and the structure is peculiar, with high architectural artistic value. There is a pair of "broken beams" in the hall, which are docked with two small beams of the same diameter and length. The broken beams are supported by Shunfu strings under the middle seam, and the two ends are placed on the back of the front and rear eaves pillars. The roof gravity is balanced on the front and rear eaves pillars.
On June 25, 2001, Chongming Temple was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Free visit...
Chongming Temple is located 15 kilometers southeast of Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, at the eastern foot of Shengfo Mountain.
Chongming Temple
Shanxi Jincheng, I'm tired of saying "impressive".
Who would have thought that Jincheng in Shanxi has 72 national cultural relics protection units! We spent two and a half days and visited 15 national cultural relics protection units to get a rough idea of the essence of Jincheng's national cultural relics protection units. The word "impressive" was always on our lips, and we were tired of saying it! Without further ado, let's share our itinerary and travel tips~
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📍 Jincheng 2~3-day National Cultural Relics Protection Unit Essence Route:
Day 1: Zezhou Dai Temple - Xiaonancun Erxian Temple - Qinglian Temple - Yuhuang Temple - Fucheng Guandi Temple - Xilimen Erxian Temple - Chongming Temple
Day 2: Youxian Temple - Xianweng Temple - Wangbao Erlang Temple - Dinglin Temple - Gaoping Iron Buddha Temple - Xixi Erxian Temple - Kaihua Temple
Day 3: Yangtoushan Grottoes - Go to Changzhi
(PS. We drove ourselves, but our schedule was quite tight. If you're worried about not having enough time, you can adjust it.)
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Here are some of our favorites~
🔻Xiaonancun Erxian Temple
The exquisite and intricate wooden palace and pavilion of the Northern Song Dynasty are breathtaking and leave you speechless. The large wooden structure is also impressive.
🔻Qinglian Temple
Upper Temple: The Buddha and Bodhisattva in the Sakyamuni Hall and the Sixteen Arhats in the Luohan Hall are all masterpieces of Northern Song Dynasty colored sculptures.
Lower Temple: The Tang Dynasty sculptures are simple and ancient, and the Song Dynasty proportions are perfect.
🔻Yuhuang Temple
Finally saw the Twenty-Eight Constellations! Yuhuang Temple is very popular and has many visitors. There are also many exquisite colored sculptures, Chengtang Hall, Yuhuang Hall, Thirteen Yao Stars, Twelve Yuanchen... All open, don't miss it😭.
🔻Chongming Temple
Originally closed, thanks to the cultural relics protection officer who came back to open the door. The moment the door opened, the oldest surviving Northern Song Dynasty wooden structure came into view, with its deep eaves and Tang Dynasty style, so moving that I almost cried!
🔻Xianweng Temple
Coming to Zhang Guolao Temple, I saw the murals on the walls, which are well preserved. The "Tang Xuanzong Taishan Fengchan Tu" is a masterpiece.
🔻Gaoping Iron Buddha Temple
It's too 🔥, you can't make an appointment online, but you can queue up on the spot to get a number. The Twenty-Four Devas are so beautiful, I queued up several times and finally saw enough.
I came out and bought iron plate shabu-shabu bean skin, sat under the tree and watched the Iron Buddha Temple eat bean skin, which felt like a time travel.
🔻Kaihua Temple
The Mahavira Hall is a Northern Song Dynasty building, and the Northern Song Dynasty murals in the hall are colorful and known as the "清明上河图" of murals. The cultural relics protection officer was very enthusiastic.
🔻Yangtoushan Grottoes
Highly recommended! The Northern Dynasty grottoes scattered in the mountains are very impressive. The process of finding the grottoes is also very interesting.
🚗Transportation: Self-driving or chartered car is recommended.
🛌Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in Jincheng and Gaoping City.
🥘Food: Lige Zha is delicious! It's made with vermicelli, meat, and cabbage, and it's especially fragrant. Meatball instant noodles are also very fragrant, recommended.
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👇Tips:
Jincheng is too real, all of the above cultural relics protection units are free to visit (except Dinglin Temple, which requires a ticket to the Daling Mountain Scenic Area). Cultural relics protection work is not easy, so it is recommended to make a donation.
Compared to Datong, I prefer Shanxi, this lesser-known city
Shanxi is truly a place filled with national treasure-level ancient sites! 🌟 And Gaoping, this severely underrated historical city 🏰, is simply the hometown of Shennong Yan Emperor 🌾, the cradle of Chinese civilization 👶, and the battlefield of the Battle of Changping! 🏯🏘
As soon as you step into Gaoping, you can feel the rich cultural heritage 📚, with ancient buildings 🏯, murals 🎨, ancient theaters 🎭, and ancient residences... Every spot is breathtaking, as if you've traveled through a thousand years! 👣✨
Come, let me plan an amazing travel route for you: Chongming Temple 🏯, Youxian Temple 🏰, Dinglin Temple 🏯, Kaihua Temple 🏰, Wangbao Erlang Temple 🏛, not a single one can be missed! But note, these places are quite scattered, mostly in suburban villages, so driving or hiring a car is the most convenient! 🚗💨
Here's the highlight, among these attractions, I most recommend Chongming Temple! 🎉 Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, it is the earliest existing Song Dynasty building in the country! The broken beam structure and giant dougong of the Middle Buddha Hall are simply breathtaking! 👏 And it's free of charge! 🎫
Then there's Dinglin Temple, which is huge, featuring architectural styles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties! 🏛️ The multi-eaved, nine-ridged compound high pavilion at the mountain gate is so majestic that you can't help but take a few more photos! 📸 But remember, there's a 30 yuan entrance fee here. 💰
The murals of Kaihua Temple are also a masterpiece, with the largest and best-preserved Song Dynasty murals in China! 🖼️ Although the hall doors are fitted with iron bars, there is a complete replica of the murals in the side hall that you can admire up close! 👀
Lastly, if you have enough time, Gaoping's Yangtou Mountain Grottoes 🗿, Dazhou Village Ancient Building Complex 🏘, Suzhuang Village 🏡, and Fushan Village 🏞 are also worth visiting! But be aware, Tiefo Temple is currently closed, so don't make a wasted trip! 🚫
How about it? Are you already eager to set off to explore Gaoping? 🏃♂️ Pack your bags 🎒 and join me on this journey through a thousand years! 🚀
Bofang Xianweng Temple | The only imperial Fengshan painting in the country
| The only imperial Fengshan painting in the country. Bofang Xianweng Temple, located in Bofang Village, Gaoping City, Shanxi Province, is also known as Zongsheng Xianweng Temple.
Upon arrival, the entrance seems very ordinary. The temple consists of a single courtyard, with the mountain gate, Jade Emperor Tower, Offering Hall, and Xianweng Hall aligned along the central axis. There are side halls on the east and west sides. The mountain gate
has three bays in width and two stories. The first floor serves as a passageway, while the second floor is a reverse theater stage, which is quite common in Shanxi. There is a bell and drum tower on each side of the mountain gate. The music tower
has three bays in both width and depth, with a square plan and a single-eave hip roof.
The corridor
connects to the Offering Hall, with many beams. Standing in front of the main hall offers a very deep perspective. Both ends of the beam structure have wooden carvings, but the columns are steel, lacking some ancient charm. The main hall
is the Xianweng Hall, also known as the Zhang Guolao Shrine. It has five bays in width and six rafters in depth. The glazed ridge decorations on the hall's roof include dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns. Due to the close distance between the main hall and the Offering Hall, it needs to be observed from the side. The beam structure under the eaves has exquisite paintings and wood carvings.
The most noteworthy aspect of the main hall is the "Tang Taizong's Fengshan at Mount Tai" murals on the east and west sides. This is the only imperial Fengshan mural in the country, suspected to be from the Yuan Dynasty. The west wall depicts the scene of Tang Taizong's Fengshan at Mount Tai, while the east wall shows the return scene after the Fengshan ceremony. Both scenes are grand, with floating canopies and staggered figures, well portrayed.
The overall color scheme is mainly yellow, green, and red, with small areas of pink. The group portraits have clear primary and secondary distinctions, with many details. The upper parts of the east and west sides also depict some representative deeds of Zhang Guolao. Unlike other murals, the cloud patterns in the Xianweng Temple murals are very detailed, with very intricate curves. The north wall features the "Daoist Chaoyuan Painting," with some scenes blocked by statues, including an image of Zhang Guolao riding a donkey. The beams and rafters inside the hall are painted with golden dragons.
After viewing the murals, the mood is quite complex. There are many issues with the mural's condition, but no one is repairing them, giving a feeling of seeing less with each glance.
Although the Xianweng Temple is not large, it has many details worth exploring slowly. There is also the Patriarch Pavilion nearby, which can be visited as well.
Practical Information:
Tickets 🎫: Free
Opening hours: Most likely accessible, communicate with the cultural preservation staff.
An Unprecedented Historical Scroll of the Song Dynasty--Kaifa Temple's 'Qingliang Tu'
Kaifa Temple is located on the mid-slope of Sheli Mountain in the central part of Chenqu Town, Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, about 17 kilometers from Gaoping City. The temple was founded in the second year of Wuping of the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD) and was originally named Qingliang Temple. It was a famous ancient temple during the 'Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms' period. In the Zhishun year of Emperor Mingzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1330 AD), it was renamed 'Kaifa Zen Temple', and after the Ming Dynasty, it was again called 'Kaifa Temple'.
According to the inscription on the stele 'Record of Meritorious Deeds in the Repair of Kaifa Temple on Sheli Mountain in Zezhou', the content of the murals in Kaifa Temple is as follows: the west sequence is 'The Sutra of the Great Convenience and Buddha's Repayment of Kindness', the Yuan wall (west) is 'The Universal Gate Chapter of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva'; the east sequence is 'The Avatamsaka Sutra', and the Chen wall (east) is 'The Sutra of Maitreya Bodhisattva's Ascension to the Tushita Heaven'. The murals were completed by two groups of painters: the west sequence and the Yuan wall (west) were painted by Guo Fa and others, while the east sequence and the Fan wall (east) were completed by Wang Daran and others. The murals of Kaifa Temple are masterpieces of mature painting from the period of Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty and are extremely important representative works of Chinese painting 'Danqing'. This work had no name for a long time until 2019, when Wang Zan, the vice president of the China Academy of Art, named the mural 'Qingliang Lanruo Tu', now known as 'Qingliang Tu'. 'Qingliang Tu' more directly shows the past and present of Kaifa Temple.
'Qingliang Tu' depicts the Buddhist scenes in the mansion of a prince, a grand narrative work that is a microcosm of Chinese social life over nearly a thousand years. Its painting techniques, visual appreciation, linear expression, dynamic and static relationships, and spiritual connotation are all very superb, pushing Chinese painting to the peak of world painting art. It is an unprecedented and unparalleled mural of a temple from the Song Dynasty in China.
Kaifa Temple was announced as a key cultural relic protection unit in Shanxi Province by the People's Government of Shanxi Province in May 1965.
In June 2001, it was announced as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
Ticket price: Free
Opening hours: Winter 9:00-11:30 AM, 2:00-5:00 PM; Summer 9:00-11:30 AM, 3:00-6:00 PM; during national statutory holidays 9:00-6:00 PM.
Transportation information: Take bus No. 3/401 from Gaoping City and transfer to bus No. 901, then walk 3.5 kilometers to reach. It is recommended to drive by yourself.
2024 Cultural 'Summer' Journey (Thirteen): Kaihua Temple - The 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' of the Mural World
Shanxi Gaoping Kaihua Temple is probably familiar to everyone, as it is a 'national treasure' of Jincheng. Especially the murals inside the temple—the only existing large-scale temple murals from the Northern Song Dynasty in China, which can be called the 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' of the mural world~~
Kaihua Temple, originally named Qingliang Temple, is located at the southern foot of Sheli Mountain, forty-five li northeast of Gaoping City, Shanxi Province. It was founded during the late Tang Zhaozong period (889-904 AD).
The temple faces south with a two-courtyard layout. In front of the temple is a two-story pavilion-style mountain gate (Great Compassion Pavilion), with bell and drum towers on either side.
Entering the mountain gate, the main hall is the Mahavira Hall, with side rooms on both sides. The main hall in the rear courtyard is the Dharma Hall, with the Three Great Bodhisattvas Hall on the east side and the Ksitigarbha Hall on the west side. The entire structure is symmetrical and blends with the mountain terrain, forming a beautiful picture.
The mountains are high and the forests are dense, with strange rocks everywhere, the sound of pine waves, babbling streams, birds singing, and flowers fragrant, like a fairyland.
From the sixth year of Xining in the Northern Song Dynasty (1073 AD) to the third year of Shaosheng (1096 AD), the Mahavira Hall, Great Compassion Pavilion, and other structures were built, grand and magnificent, with an ancient charm.
The east, north, and west walls inside the Mahavira Hall preserve Song Dynasty murals. The murals are exquisite, with bright colors, rich connotations, and superb craftsmanship, making them unique among ancient buildings in the country.
These murals predate the murals of Yongle Palace and can be called national treasures.
The murals mainly depict stories from Buddhist scriptures, primarily to promote Buddhist ethics such as karma, with the intention of encouraging good and punishing evil. The stories are intricate and moving, with extensive and complex content. The main themes are tolerance and charity, benevolence, wisdom, faith, filial piety, and virtue, as well as hearing the Dharma and observing precepts.
Unfortunately, Kaihua Temple is also guarded by an 'iron general.' After contacting the Gaoping City Cultural Protection Bureau and going through a lot of trouble, the final result is that the temple only opens at 15:00 in the afternoon.
It is said that the murals of Kaihua Temple are the only existing Northern Song Dynasty temple murals in the country, known for their depictions of secular life in transformation paintings. Unfortunately, they can only be seen from behind a barrier.
Kaihua Temple
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.
Kaihua Temple
Kaihua Temple is located on the mid-slope of Sheli Mountain in the central part of Chenqu Town, Gaoping City, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, about 17 kilometers from Gaoping City. The temple was founded in the second year of Wuping of the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD) and was originally named Qingliang Temple. In the eighth year of Tiansheng of the Northern Song Dynasty (1030 AD), Emperor Renzong of Song issued an edict to rename the original 'Qingliang Temple' to 'Kaihua Zen Temple'. The temple faces south with a two-courtyard layout. In front of the temple is a two-story pavilion-style mountain gate (Great Compassion Pavilion), with bell and drum towers on both sides. Entering the mountain gate, the main hall is the Mahavira Hall, with side rooms on both sides. The main hall in the rear courtyard is the Dharma Hall, with the Three Great Bodhisattvas Hall on the east side and the Ksitigarbha Hall on the west side. The entire architecture is symmetrical and blends with the mountain, forming a beautiful picture. The earliest building in the temple is the Mahavira Hall, built in the sixth year of Xining of the Northern Song Dynasty (1073 AD). Its architectural regulations and construction art represent the highest level of Song Dynasty architecture; especially the murals inside the hall, which are unique artistic treasures. In June 2001, it was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: Winter 9:00-11:30 AM, 2:00-5:00 PM; Summer 9:00-11:30 AM, 3:00-6:00 PM; during national statutory holidays, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.
Transportation Information: Take bus No. 3/401 from Gaoping City and transfer to bus No. 901, then walk 3.5 kilometers to reach. Self-driving is recommended.
The travel guide for Wangbao Erlang Temple is as follows:
- Transportation: Take the bus heading towards Xiaohuigou (Route 101) from Gaoping Shennong Bus Station, get off at the Sizhuang Police Station bus stop, and walk about 700 meters to reach the temple.
- Tickets: No tickets are required for Erlang Temple, but there may be a maintenance fee to enter, the specific amount depends on the actual situation.
- Opening hours: Erlang Temple does not have fixed opening hours. Visitors need to find the local village committee accountant to open the door when they visit.
- Duration of visit: Erlang Temple is relatively small, and the visit time is less than 2 hours.
- Highlights:
- The stage inside Erlang Temple was built in the 23rd year of Jin Dading (1183), which is more than 800 years ago. It is the earliest existing stage in China and the only remaining one.
- The wood carvings on the lintel of the main hall are very exquisite. The hall enshrines Erlang Shen Yang Jian with three eyes, and there are some paintings on the beams.
- Notes:
- To save time, you can take a tricycle to Erlang Temple after getting off at Sizhuang, and then visit Bofang Xianweng Temple, which is more than 1 km away, after the tour.
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs, and maintain good tourist etiquette.
I prefer to call it Changping rather than Gaoping
📍Gaoping, a name you might not be too familiar with🤔, actually hides a profound historical significance✨. Did you know? It was once 'Changping', the site of the Battle of Changping during the waning years of the Warring States period, which altered the course of Chinese history🗡️. As the birthplace of the Yan Emperor, it has witnessed the inheritance and transformation of Chinese civilization🌱.
🏞️ Stepping into Gaoping, you'll discover not only 6.6 billion tons of high-quality coal underground💎 but also 1,574 immovable cultural relics on the surface🏛️, averaging 1.7 relics per square kilometer! The area is rich in ancient architecture🏯, especially from the Song and Jin dynasties, with numbers surpassing those south of the Yangtze River, resembling a 'Museum of Ancient Chinese Architecture' before your eyes👀.
🚄How to reach this hidden gem? Take the high-speed train directly to Gaoping East Station🚄. Departing from Changzhi Station, the next stop is Jincheng East Station, which is very convenient!🏡 For accommodation, it's recommended to choose hotels near the high-speed rail station🏨, where transportation is extremely convenient🚗.
🚙Since public transportation in Gaoping is not very convenient, it is suggested to travel by car🚘. Here is a carefully planned ancient visit route for you: stay overnight in Jincheng the night before🌙, set off for Gaoping early the next morning🌞, and you can visit 6-8 essence spots in one day🌈. Afterwards, with Gaoping as your center, you can easily continue your exploration journey to Lingchuan and Changzhi🌏. Finally, leave by high-speed rail🚅, perfectly concluding your trip🌄.
🏞️Recommended attractions are coming!
1️⃣ Dazhou Village Ancient Temple Complex: Here you'll find the Ming Dynasty's Guanyin Hall🙏 and the Northern Song Dynasty's Zisheng Temple Pilu Hall🏯, with exquisite Qinglong colored paintings on the beams that will absolutely amaze you!😲
2️⃣ Chongming Temple: This temple has the earliest Northern Song wooden Buddha hall (971)🕌, with eaves proportions as grand as a bird spreading its wings🦜, stunningly beautiful😍.
3️⃣ Tiefo Temple: The inspiration for the colored sculpture of the black mythological Monkey King🐵, the sculptures here are unparalleled in the world🎨, and the opening date is just around the corner, don't miss it!🙅
4️⃣ Dinglin Temple: Known as the most beautiful mountain temple in the north🏞️, its five-eaved mountain gate is breathtakingly beautiful🌸. The Leiyin Hall is a masterpiece of Jin Dynasty wooden construction👌.
5️⃣ Kaihua Temple: The Mahavira Hall is a wooden structure from the sixth year of Xining (1073)🏯, with Song Dynasty beam paintings🎨. The 'Qingliang Lanwo Map' here is even older than the 'Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival'!📜
6️⃣ Wangbao Erlang Temple: The oldest existing theater stage🎭, built during the Jin Dynasty, is rarely shown with the mountain as a backdrop🏞️, letting you appreciate the wisdom and creativity of the ancients💡.
7️⃣ Bofang Xianweng Temple: The Ming Dynasty 'Emperor Xuanzong's Fengshan Picture' mural here is the only one that exists🎨, with extremely high historical value📜.
8️⃣ Youxian Temple: The Pilu Hall from the first year of Chunhua (990) is a Northern Song three-bay wooden structure masterpiece🏯, worthy of your careful appreciation👀.
🏞️ Come to Gaoping and feel the historical charm and cultural atmosphere of this land!🌈
Xili Men Erxian Temple in Gaoping, Shanxi
Xili Men Erxian Temple, located to the north of Lingpo Natural Village, Xili Men Village, Hexi Town, Gaoping City, Jincheng, Shanxi Province, was founded during the Tang Dynasty. It was repaired in the second year of Jin Zhenglong (1157), the second year of Dading (1162), and during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The temple is rectangular, facing south with the back to the north, and consists of two courtyards. It is 32.85 meters wide from east to west, and 84.76 meters long in the south. Along the central axis, there are the mountain gate, the front hall, and the rear hall, with corridors and side halls on both sides. Outside the mountain gate, there is an inverted stage.
Chongming Temple in Gaoping City, Shanxi
Located fifteen miles southeast of the downtown area of Gaoping City, at the foot of the sacred Buddha Mountain, facing south with the back to the north. The existing buildings include the mountain gate, bell and drum towers, the central Buddha hall, the rear hall, and two side halls, forming a two-courtyard complex. According to the inscriptions from the second year of the Chunhua period of the Song Dynasty (991) found within the temple, it was established during the Kaibao period of the Northern Song Dynasty (968-975), before the promulgation of the 'Yingzao Fashi' (Building Standards). It has been repaired and maintained through successive dynasties. Except for the central Buddha hall, which is an early Song Dynasty relic, the rest of the buildings were constructed during the Qing Dynasty. The main structure, the central Buddha hall, was built in the fourth year of the Kaibao period of the Northern Song Dynasty (971) and is now in the Song style. The stone platform base is 0.5 meters high. The hall is three bays wide (16.91 meters) and two bays deep (7.61 meters), with a single-eave hipped roof, tubular tile roof surface, and ridge decorated with glazed components. The beam frame consists of six sets of rafters, and the hall originally had a flat ceiling. The 'broken beam' structure is made of two short pieces of the same cross-section and length, which are placed opposite each other. The broken beam is supported by a longitudinal purlin below the seam, and both ends are placed on the rear eave column bracket tails, evenly distributing the roof load to the eave columns. This construction method of using small materials for significant purposes and designing according to the material is a great creation of ancient craftsmen.
The Kaihua Temple murals, predating the Yongle Palace murals, are a scroll of Song Dynasty customs!
Located in Gaoping, Shanxi, Kaihua Temple, originally named Qingliang Lanruo, was established in the second year of Wu Ping during the Northern Qi Dynasty (571), situated on the northern foothills of the Taihang Mountains at the waist of Sheli Mountain.
Kaihua Temple faces north and south, with the existing buildings including the Mahavira Hall, which is an original Song Dynasty structure, the Guanyin Hall as a Jin Dynasty relic, and the rest are buildings from the Ming and Qing periods.
The Mahavira Hall, also known as the central hall, is a relic from the Northern Song Dynasty, originally built in the sixth year of Xi Ning of the Northern Song Dynasty, 1073 AD. The murals began in the seventh year of Yuan You of the Northern Song Dynasty (1092 AD) and were completed over five years by the folk painter Guo Fa.
The murals of Kaihua Temple are colorful and rich in content, a rare treasure even earlier than the Yongle Palace murals, and they are also the largest preserved Song Dynasty temple murals in China. They are acclaimed as an encyclopedia of Song Dynasty architectural types for outlining a picture of Song Dynasty architecture and life.
Among them, the three-dimensional restoration of the image of the Tushita Heaven official city tower in the 'Maitreya Ascending Ascending Sutra Transformation' mural on the north wall of the eastern side of the great hall is just too beautiful!
The architecture and decoration of the Mahavira Hall were influenced by both local traditions and the official system, making it the only complete surviving relic from the Central Plains cultural area of the Northern Song period that still exists above ground.
Kaihua Temple Hiking||Exploring the First Temple of Southern Buddhism in China
||Exploring the First Temple of Southern Buddhism in China. Dayi Wuzhong Mountain, named for being covered by clouds and mist all year round, hides the Kaihua Temple deep within. Founded in the 16th year of Yongping during the Eastern Han Dynasty (73 AD), it is only six years younger than China's first Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and is truly the first temple of Southern Buddhism!!!
Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the chaos caused by Zhang Xianzhong at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and further damaged over time. Now, only the stone screen, stele, and beasts in front of the main hall remain as a glimpse of the ancient site. In front of the main hall stand three stone steles, among which the most famous is titled 'Kaihua Temple Inscription,' written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. It not only records the architectural style and Buddha statues of the temple at that time but also describes the commerce and cultural-religious exchanges on the Southern Silk Road, making it extremely precious. Sadly, the back has been worn down to serve as steps for a farmhouse.
The other two ancient steles have inscriptions that are eroded and difficult to discern, and experts speculate that they are from before the Ming Dynasty. The Kaihua Temple we see today is a modern temple built on the original ruins, with temple halls constructed in recent years using cement in imitation of the Tang style.
❄️In winter, this place becomes a popular spot for snow hiking and checking in among the locals around Chengdu. The overall difficulty is not high, and the route is beautiful with white rime and thick snow. For navigation, search directly for Dayi Kaihua Temple.
🚗The overall road condition is good, but upon entering Wuzhong Mountain, the roads become rugged, narrow, and difficult for vehicles to pass each other.
🅿️The temple is currently under renovation, and there is a farmhouse nearby where you can park. Starting from Kaihua Temple, follow the road to the end, turn right onto a small path up the mountain 30min-Mingyue Temple-90min-Mitu Temple-10min-Yinghua Summit (also called Guangming Summit), and descend for 90min (return the same way). The overall difficulty of the hike is not high, with the path mainly consisting of stone steps and only a small section of dirt road in the middle, but it is still recommended to bring ice grips.
Honestly, no city can beat Shanxi in this hall of colored sculptures
Such destructiveness, immense oppression, and extremely mutated limbs, overturn the traditional pursuit of beautifully detailed statues.
All of this gives a dreamy, surreal feeling. These abnormal expressions push the majesty of the Twenty-Four Devas to the extreme of fierce beauty.
The ancient sculptors pursued the ultimate in clothing detail. Every scale on the warrior's armor, every detail of the decoration, whether interlaced or overlapping, had to be presented in detail. The head is adorned with complex stacked floral patterns, with crowns and ribbons fluttering and soaring.
Shanxi National Treasure Essence·Gaoping Iron Buddha Temple Ming Sculpture of the Twenty-Four Devas, photographed by Li Jinchun.
P1 Mahabrahma, with a highly individual image, seems tailor-made for the fierce artistic style of this colored sculpture. The figure is robust, with dark green skin and strong muscles, a large and a small head, and a six-armed warrior image. With a wide mouth and sharp teeth, glaring and roaring like a lion; hair flying in anger, flames shooting in all directions; wearing a battle skirt and barefoot on the ground; the two arms raised, the left hand holding a club, the right hand holding a ruler.
Among them, the most characteristic are three: one is the large and small heads, three faces and six arms. Coupled with the furious expression, bloodshot eyes, angry red hair, developed muscles, and exaggerated actions, it has the grandeur of a Ming King that seems to swallow mountains and rivers.
P3 Guangmu Tian's image is unique, with a frowning and fierce look at first glance, which is daunting. He wears a high crown decorated with gold dragons, red flowers, green leaves, and other exquisite ornaments, with a dragon-snake-shaped flame pattern behind the crown.
Wearing war boots; chain mail, green chest wrap, red waistband, white protective waist, with various belt ornaments hanging from the waist; shoulders, chest, abdomen, wrists, and knees are adorned with dragon-head-shaped protectors.
P4 General Sanzhi, Mr. Li Zehou once described the fierce beauty of the Shang Dynasty bronze Taotie. 'Despite being very rough and even fierce and terrifying, it still retains a great aesthetic charm. In that intimidating and mysterious fierceness, there is a deep historical force.'
The General Sanzhi statue seems to awaken this 'fierce and terrifying' from ancient times. His full and robust body, with legs apart and belly thrust forward, presents a metal tripod-like solidity and stability. In the deep and dim hall, the entire statue exudes a mysterious and oppressive coldness from ancient times. Next is the fierce facial sculpture.
The greenish-yellow, dark bronze face is an extremely strange and fierce set of features. The dark green vertical eyebrows are like the patterns on the body of a tiger or leopard, and the exaggerated open mouth reveals two rows of striking fangs. The short and thick neck, the towering brow bone, and the red hair flying like flames on the head make the statue's face bizarre and fierce, with extremely spasmodic and mutated limbs. The twisted right thumb seems to be the tendons caused by extreme anger, and the bear-paw-like fierce and wild strength of the hands and feet, with the toes spread open like eagle claws digging into the ground, gives a sense of stepping on stones and leaving marks, grabbing iron and leaving traces.
The iron Buddha temple in Gaoping, Shanxi, has unveiled its stunning statues, which are unparalleled in the world
The founding date of the Iron Buddha Temple is unknown. According to the inscription carved on the bluestone door pier of the main hall, 'The Iron Buddha was cast and the Iron Buddha Temple was repaired on the 13th of July in the seventh year of Dading in the Jin Dynasty (1167)', it is known that the main hall was built in the Jin Dynasty. Although it has been repaired many times in the past dynasties, it still retains the techniques of the Jin Dynasty. The main hall is a wooden structure, with three bays wide and six trusses deep. It is rectangular in plan, with a hanging mountain-style roof, and features such as ridge decorations, brackets, eaves corners, and straight windows. The statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin, Manjusri, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the twenty-four heavens that were sculpted inside the hall have gone through hundreds of years of history. What we see now are the damaged and worn-out Ming Dynasty statues, which are heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. These statues must have originated from some artists with great artistic talent and imagination, and they are unique in the entire Ming Dynasty. Visitors who come and go are all shocked.
Sakyamuni Buddha sits in the center of the hall, sitting high on the Sumeru seat, with backlit hanging sculptures, golden and brilliant, and the gold foil on the Buddha's face has been scraped off by the ignorant. Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas stand on the lotus throne on both sides of the Buddha, but unfortunately their heads are lost and severely damaged. Behind Sakyamuni Buddha is Guanyin Bodhisattva, who is also only a remnant. On the east, north, and west sides of the main hall, twenty-four heavens are sculpted. These statues are taller than real people, some with protruding eyeballs, some with hair standing upside down, some with toes gripping the ground, and some with armor protecting their bodies. Their shapes are vivid and peculiar, their forms are different, and they are lifelike.
The Iron Buddha Temple is hidden in a farmhouse, and it is currently not open to the public, so it is generally impossible to see the statues inside.
Journey to Shanxi - Kaifah Temple in Gaoping
Kaifah Temple, originally named Qingliang Ruolan, was established in the second year of Wuping in the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD). The temple faces south with two courtyards, composed of Dabeige (i.e., the mountain gate), Bell and Drum Tower, Daxiong Baodian, Yanfatang, Yanbin House, Weimo Clean Room, Guanyin Pavilion, East and West Peidian and two sides. Dabeige is a Ming Dynasty building, Daxiong Baodian is a Song Dynasty building, the Guanyin Pavilion in the east corner is a Jin Dynasty relic, the East Peidian in the backyard and the east and west corner towers are Yuan Dynasty buildings, and the rest are Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. The temple has well-preserved Song Dynasty murals in ancient Chinese architecture, which can be called the 'Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival' in the mural world.
Daxiong Baodian is a Song Dynasty building, with a large broken window in the front eaves. The names and dates of the donors are carved on the eaves pillars, providing the exact date of the temple's construction and clearly demonstrating the cultural value of this building. The beam and frame structure, douqi, etc., are all Song Dynasty regulations. The painted patterns on the beams and douqi inside the temple are very exquisite, and Daxiong Baodian is extremely consistent with the painted patterns in the Song 'Construction Method'.
The temple houses murals painted from the seventh year of Yuanhua in the Northern Song Dynasty (1092 AD) to the second year of Shaosheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1096 AD), with a total area of 88.2 square meters. The east wall is a change of the Huayan Sutra, a total of four volumes: the west wall and the west side of the north wall are a change of the Baoen Sutra, a total of four volumes: the east side of the north wall is a change of the Shangsheng Sutra, one volume. Overall, the murals have many characters and exquisite techniques, making them rare treasures.
You cannot enter Daxiong Baodian, but the digital results displayed in the side halls on both sides have restored the murals inside the temple, which can be viewed up close.
Travel tips:
1. Address: Sheli Mountain, Chenqu Town, Gaoping City
2. Tickets: Free
3. Parking: 10 yuan
Journey to Shanxi—The Mausoleum of Emperor Yan in Gaoping
Brief Introduction of the Scenic Spot:
The Mausoleum of Emperor Yan in Gaoping, Shanxi, is known as one of the four major mausoleums of Emperor Yan in China, along with those in Yanling County, Hunan Province, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, and Shangqiu City, Henan Province. The area is surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers, with ravines crisscrossing the east, west, and south, and rolling hills to the north. The green mountains are reflected in the water; to the west, you can see the majestic Yangtou Mountain, and to the south, you can overlook the Dan River Valley, with its clouds and mists. The Xiaodongcang River trickles at your feet. It is said that in ancient times, Emperor Yan, also known as Shennong, was active in the Yangtou Mountain area of Shangdang, where he obtained fine grains, sowed the five grains, made ploughs, tasted a hundred herbs, and created the five-thousand-year-old agricultural and medical civilization of China. In his later years, he died of poisoning after mistakenly eating a 'centipede' while tasting herbs on Yan Emperor Ridge, and was buried here. The Mausoleum of Emperor Yan is commonly known as the 'Imperial Tomb'. The early buildings were grand in scale. After thousands of years of wind and rain, only five of the original buildings remain. The restored buildings are all wooden structures, using traditional sacrificial architectural techniques from southeast Shanxi and Song Dynasty architectural styles, fully demonstrating the majestic and solemn grandeur and simple and dignified historical style of the Mausoleum of Emperor Yan. Every year, compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait come here to participate in the ancestor worship ceremony, seek their roots, ask their ancestors, and pray for the blessings of China.
Scenic Spot Qualifications:
National 4A Scenic Spot
Features of the Scenic Spot:
Ancestor worship, historical culture, tombs
How to Get There:
Take a direct bus from Jincheng East Station to the Mausoleum of Emperor Yan
Opening Hours:
Summer: 9:00—18:00
Winter: 9:00—17:00
Ticket Price:
Free
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