[2025 Dengfeng Attraction] Travel Guide for Fawang Temple (Updated Apr)

#discoverchina Fawan Temple, nestled in the serene landscapes of China, is a revered Buddhist temple that stands as a testament to the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Known for its tranquil ambiance, exquisite architecture, and profound religious significance, Fawan Temple attracts pilgrims, scholars, and tourists alike. It is a place where history, art, and spirituality converge, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the essence of Buddhism and the timeless wisdom it embodies. Historical Origins and Legacy of this temple are immense. The origins of Fawan Temple trace back to ancient times, during a period when Buddhism was flourishing in China. The temple was established as a center for Buddhist learning and practice, serving as a sanctuary for monks and devotees. Over the centuries, it has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the evolution of Buddhist teachings, and the changing tides of history. Despite the passage of time, Fawan Temple has endured as a beacon of spiritual enlightenment and cultural preservation. The temple’s name, "Fawan," carries deep symbolic meaning. In Chinese, "Fa" refers to the Dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha, while "Wan" signifies a bowl or vessel. Together, the name symbolizes the temple’s role as a vessel for the dissemination of Buddhist wisdom and its commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of its followers. This symbolism is reflected in the temple’s architecture, rituals, and the daily lives of its resident monks. Fawan Temple is renowned for its stunning architecture, which blends traditional Chinese design with Buddhist symbolism. The temple complex is a harmonious arrangement of halls, pagodas, courtyards, and gardens, each element carefully crafted to inspire awe and reverence. The main hall, often the focal point of the temple, houses a majestic statue of the Buddha, exuding an aura of serenity and compassion. Intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and delicate calligraphy adorn the walls, depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures and the lives of enlightened beings. One of the temple’s most striking features is its pagoda, a multi-tiered structure that rises gracefully into the sky. Pagodas in Buddhist temples serve as symbols of spiritual ascent and the path to enlightenment. The pagoda at Fawan Temple is not only an architectural marvel but also a place of meditation and reflection, offering visitors a space to contemplate the deeper truths of existence. The temple’s gardens further enhance its spiritual ambiance. Lush greenery, tranquil ponds, and carefully placed stones create a peaceful environment that encourages mindfulness and introspection. The gardens are designed to reflect the Buddhist principles of harmony, balance, and the interconnectedness of all life. Fawan Temple remains an active center of Buddhist practice, where monks and devotees engage in daily rituals, meditation, and study. The temple’s daily schedule includes chanting sessions, Dharma talks, and communal prayers, all of which contribute to the spiritual vitality of the community. Visitors are often welcome to participate in these activities, gaining firsthand experience of Buddhist traditions and teachings. The temple also plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Buddhist culture. It houses a rich collection of scriptures, artifacts, and artworks that offer insights into local culture.

Fawang Temple Pagoda was built in the early 8th century during the Tang dynasty and is one of the most beautiful ancient pagodas of the Tang dynasty. The pagoda faces south and is square in shape, with a side length of 7 meters, a floor area of about 49 square meters, and a total height of about 35.7 meters. The lower part of the pagoda is slightly slender and has no base. The pagoda consists of three parts: the pagoda base, the pagoda body, and the pagoda top. Fawang Temple Pagoda is the tallest brick pagoda with dense eaves in the Fawang Temple Pagoda Group and the only Buddhist pagoda in the group. It has a typical Tang pagoda shape, but its specific name is unknown. It is usually numbered "1" in cultural relics and archaeological data, so it is also called "Fawang Temple No. 1 Tang Pagoda."

After checking in at the famous Macun Brick Carving Tombs during the May Day period, I then came to another national protected unit not far from it - Nanyang Fawang Temple. It was drizzling at the time, and the rain got heavier on the way to Fawang Temple, which made me worry about whether I could enter smoothly. Fortunately, when I arrived at the entrance, I saw the gate wide open, with a group of uncles and aunties playing cards under the mountain gate, which dispelled my concerns. Who is the Fawang The name Fawang makes people think wildly, as if it refers to a king with great magical powers. The answer is on the gate of the temple, which reads 'Temple of the Fawang, the Xuantian Shangdi', confirming that the Fawang here is the Northern Emperor Xuanwu, also known as the God of Beiyue. Architectural Features The existing buildings are mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including the mountain gate, stage, main hall, Hou Tu hall, Ten Marshals hall, Nine Luminaries hall, Seven Stars hall, etc., with a very regular overall layout. Mountain Gate It is a single-eave building with a hard mountain top, three bays wide and four rafters deep, covered with green glazed tiles, and has a plaque reading 'Temple of the Fawang, the Xuantian Shangdi'. There is an inscription on the upper side, proving that it was built during the Qing Tongzhi era, and there is a mural of a fierce tiger descending the mountain on the left side. Stage It can be said to be the 'treasure of the temple' of Fawang Temple, a cross-shaped double-eave Xieshan top building, three bays wide and deep, covered with yellow and green glazed tiles, with a protruding stage in the front, and galleries on the left, right, and rear sides. The stage looks very beautiful as a whole, and the interior caisson looks like a star when viewed from below. The beam frame structure also uses the method of corner beams to reduce columns, so there are no large columns inside, and the beauty of mechanics is fully displayed. Although it is a Ming dynasty stage, the structure here is very similar to that of the Yuan dynasty after removing the surrounding ring of structure. Main Hall It is a single-eave Xuan Mountain top building, three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a five-bay corridor added to the front, making the worship space more open. Two coiled dragon columns in the front are eye-catching, with the dragons looking lifelike, and the era is also recorded on them - the Ming Hongzhi era. The highlight inside the main hall is the intricate small woodwork, which connects up and down with the golden columns inside, forming a hall within a hall structure. Record The practice of Nanyang Fawang Temple opening its doors to welcome visitors really touches every friend who loves to visit ancient sites. You can stay here for a while, admire the ingenious ancient buildings, the beautiful stage, and even watch the uncles and aunties playing cards at the mountain gate. This might be the spiritual power that ancient buildings give to people. Guide Navigate to Fawang Temple in Nanyang Village, Jishan County, Shanxi Province. If the gate is not open, you can call the number on the gate or ask the villagers.

❤Reason for recommendation: The 'Songshan Records' has the following record: 'The Fawang Temple is high and open, backed by the Songling, overlooking the two bears and other mountains, arranged like an arch, it is the first temple in front of Song.' 🌟Highlights: The long and wide stone steps in front of the mountain gate make the mountain gate of Fawang Temple even more magnificent. Standing on the terrace of Fawang Temple and looking east, two mountain peaks, rugged and abrupt, confront each other, shaped like a door, people call it 'Songmen', 'Songmen waits for the moon', which is one of the ancient eight sceneries of Songshan. 👍Most recommended: Fawang Temple was built in the tenth year of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty (71 AD), it is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China, only three years later than the White Horse Temple, and 424 years earlier than the Shaolin Temple. It is said to be built specifically for the Indian monk Zhu Falan, known as 'the beginning of ancient temples in China'. 👍Most recommended: During the Qinglong period of Emperor Ming of Wei, it was changed to Huguo Temple, during the Western Jin Dynasty, Fahua Temple was added in front of the temple, at the beginning of the Sui Dynasty, the relic tower was built and renamed as Sheli Temple, during the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong of Tang, the Buddha statue was repaired by imperial decree, and the manor was granted and renamed as Gongde Temple, during the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong, it was renamed as Yurong Temple, during the Dali period of Emperor Dezong, the halls and pavilions were rebuilt and renamed as Wenshu Shili Guangde Fawang Temple, by the Five Dynasties, it was ruined and divided into five courtyards, still following the old names of Huguo, Fahua, Sheli, Gongde, Yurong, etc., at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was collectively referred to as Wuyuan. During the Qingli period of Emperor Renzong, the halls and monk's quarters were added, the Buddha statue was rebuilt, and it was renamed as 'Da Fawang Temple' of Songshan, which has a very important position in the Han Buddhism.

I have been in Zhengzhou for two days. Today I went to Fawang Temple to see the golden yellow all over the ground. I liked the ginkgo trees of Shaolin Temple before, but when I came to Fawang Temple, I realized that the two ginkgo trees in front of me are nearly 2000 years old. They were planted in 71 AD and have been blessing the Chinese land until now. If it weren't for being on the spot, it would be impossible to fully appreciate the shock and visual impact of the golden yellow all over the ground. For every encounter and surprise, the wait of a thousand years is worth it. The old monk in the temple said that you can choose some good leaves, take them home to dry, and make tea. I am a little reluctant to take them away. Each of these ginkgo leaves should belong to the earth under its feet. For two thousand years, it has been going round and round, and the cycle is endless.