[2024 Pingshun Attraction] Travel Guide for Jindeng Temple (Updated Oct)
Caves
Temples
Address:
Pingshun, Changzhi, Shanxi, China
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
4-5 hours
Jindeng Temple, the only water and land grotto in China
Jindeng Temple Grotto is located in Pingshun County, Changzhi, Shanxi Province. It was first excavated during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557 AD) and expanded during the Hongzhi to Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty (1506-1620 AD). Jindeng Temple Grotto is the largest Ming Dynasty grotto complex in the country, with a grand scale and exquisite carvings, representing the final glorious chapter of Chinese grotto art.
The most distinctive feature is the Water and Land Hall. Inside the hall, there is a spring pool, with a field-shaped stone bridge in the pool connecting to the cliffs on both sides. When walking on the bridge, the reflections of water and Buddha images flow beneath your feet, making it feel like 'walking in a mirror.' The four walls of the Water and Land Hall are adorned with 69 water and land paintings in shallow relief, arranged in two layers. Each painting is about 0.6 meters wide and 1 meter high, depicting figures such as Indra, Brahma, Hariti, the Four Heavenly Kings, sages, empresses, wise ministers, and evil spirits from hell, which are unique in the country.
PIERCE MITCHELL
A grotto on the sheer cliffs of the Taihang Mountains, difficult to reach but once there, you won't want to leave
Discovered from a book, this place is suspended on the sheer cliffs deep within the Taihang Mountains—
Jindeng Temple Grotto.
First chiseled during the Northern Zhou of the Northern and Southern Dynasties,
It underwent various degrees of expansion during the Ming Zhengde, Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli periods.
Nowadays, it is almost forgotten and hard to reach.
The weather in the Taihang Mountains is ever-changing,
With visibility ranging from one to ten meters,
Every turn on the mountain road is an illusion.
The natural stones in the grotto are very hard,
Which shows how difficult it was to carve the relief sculptures at that time. In the damp Water Curtain Cave,
A thin layer of water vapor seeps and flows all year round,
When you reach out and touch it,
It feels icy cold.
Isla_Wild3r
Spring Journey to the Southern Taihang Mountains (3) Self-driving on Huahu Road
"The fragrance of April in the world has ended, but the peach blossoms in the mountain temples are just beginning to bloom..."
We do not miss the fragrance of flowers, nor the morning glow and sunset,
Spring breeze on the face, bright moon and gentle wind.
👍Most recommended:
Huahu Road is a scenic road that crosses the Southern Taihang Mountains, running along the border of Henan and Shanxi provinces. The starting point is located in Huayuan Village, Hejian Town, Linzhou City, Henan Province, and the endpoint is in Huguan County, Shanxi Province. Known for its precipitous features, the road offers endless scenic views and is one of the classic self-driving routes in the Taihang Mountains.
This self-driving itinerary: Huayuan Village — Jindeng Temple — Shenlong Bay — Xijing — Hongtiguan — Majiayan — Shibanyan Town
The journey, with stops along the way, took 2 days and 1 night, staying overnight at the Tianlu Post Station B&B in Pingshun County, Shanxi
Along the way, accompanied by forests, mountain flowers, clear springs, and canyons, the beauty of the Taihang Mountains is fully embraced, leaving an imprint in the heart... Jindeng Temple
AdventuringGypsy
The ancient temple of Jindeng Temple built in the clouds is more than just a legend
🏞️ Looking for a heart-racing thrill? Jindeng Temple is perched on the vertical cliffs of Linli Mountain, where the 90° shock is enough to send your adrenaline soaring with just one look down! 👀 Step through the temple gates as if walking in the air, with the beauty of the mountains and rivers in full view, but be careful, don't let weak knees betray your bravery! 😂
🖼️ Speaking of the grottoes of Jindeng Temple, it's simply a paradise for art lovers! The statues from the Ming Dynasty in Cave 5, with their gaze that transcends time, preserve that ancient charm in its entirety. The ingenious fusion of wood and rock, the silent Buddhas of the past, present, and future tell a thousand-year-old story, with a touch of remaining fresco painting, like a gentle kiss of time~💖
🖌️ Inside the grottoes, it's like a three-dimensional 'syncretism of the Three Teachings' history book! Each wall is a masterpiece of unique craftsmanship, emperors, fairies, civil and military officials... all kinds of immortals together, such a visual feast is hard to find elsewhere! ✨
🏺 The pagoda forest, the watcher of history. 46 stone pagodas of various shapes, from square to hexagonal, from inverted bowls to pavilions, each one inscribed with stories, with clear inscriptions whispering the prayers and wisdom of the ancients. 📜
🛣️ The road to Jindeng Temple is truly an adventure! Winding and thrilling, the cliffside road is breathtaking, with surprises hidden at every turn. Although the journey is long, the Taihang scenery along the way is wallpaper-worthy beauty, guaranteed to fill up your camera memory! 📷
🕒 Half a day's journey, in exchange for a dual shock of vision and soul, a trip to Jindeng Temple is definitely worth the ticket price! Don't believe it? Come and try, and you're guaranteed to become its loyal fan! 🙌
ROSIE TREVINO
Jin Deng Temple in the Taihang Mountains
Departing from Yizhuo Hotel in Pingshun County in the early morning, head to Jin Deng Temple via Yuxiaguan Village for a tour of the temple and to admire the majestic Taihang Mountains. The Jin Deng Temple grottoes were first carved during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, over a thousand years ago, and are located on a cliff face hundreds of feet high. With an altitude of over 1550 meters, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides and shrouded in clouds and mist throughout the year. Since ancient times, it has been known as 'the wonder of Zhongzhou, the spectacle of Shanxi and Henan, a fairyland and treasured place.' The scenery here is unique, with steep and imposing mountain ridges. It is an excellent spot to view the precipitous cliffs of the Taihang Grand Canyon.
Jin Deng Temple
AUBRIE CHRISTENSEN
The secret realm of Taihang Mountain, the stone caves of Jindeng Temple
Stepping out of the Water and Land Hall, pay attention to the cliff carvings and small stone caves densely distributed like beehives on the cliffs outside the hall. They are carved with Maitreya Buddha, one Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, Guanyin who sends children, Kalan, Arhats, etc. The thousands of Buddhas have different expressions and are lifelike. Cliff carvings refer to carving a shallow niche on the cliff, and carving a Buddha statue in the heart of the niche at the same time, mainly in relief, also known as opening niche carvings. Stone cave carvings are to carve caves on the cliffs, and then carve or mold Buddha statues in the caves.
In the other halls of Jindeng Temple, there are many Taoist statues such as Mount Tai God, Guan Gong, etc., either carved in wood or molded in clay. Taoism is different from Buddhism. It is a religion indigenous to China. Influenced by the worship of ghosts and gods in ancient times, Taoism has become a polytheistic religion. The other world of Taoism is therefore rich and colorful, and it is very lively.
It is said that the sixth cave was once the scripture hall, and there was a 6-meter-high bronze Buddha in the hall, which contained several volumes of scriptures. Unfortunately, it is now unknown. There are thousands of Buddhas carved on the cliff with equal specifications.
Jindeng Temple Stone Caves
Self-driving is required
Ticket: 20 yuan
Address: Jindeng Village, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
JOHANNA ROBBINS
At the top of Taihang Mountain, next to the Golden Lamp Temple, is the South Heavenly Gate
The South Heavenly Gate next to the Golden Lamp Temple on Honggushan Mountain is located at the top of Taihang Mountain, at the border of Pingshun, Shanxi and Linzhou, Henan. Go up the stairs on the left hand side 50 meters in front of the Golden Lamp Temple stone archway, and you will reach the South Heavenly Gate.
The natural scenery of Honggushan Mountain is very beautiful, with mountains and rivers, towering peaks, and green grass like a cover. In the middle is a deep valley, with a stream flowing all year round. There are three waterfalls at the bottom of the valley, and the mountain and water fall down like a long silk. In spring, the mountain is full of yellow flowers, overflowing with golden color; in autumn, the frost hits the maple leaves, which are all red.
The history of Honggushan Mountain is long, with brilliant ancient relics. The Honggu Temple was built by Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, and many monks have come to visit. The Golden Lamp Temple Grottoes of the Northern Qi Dynasty are built on a cliff of ten thousand feet, surrounded by white clouds, mysterious and unpredictable.
Free
Drive yourself to the South Heavenly Gate, which is up the stairs on the left hand side 50 meters in front of the Golden Lamp Temple stone archway.
KARSON ROMERO
Pathfinder Episode 15: Jindeng Temple on the cliff in the mountains of Changzhi
150 kilometers, self-driving for 3 and a half hours, from the Xiangtangshan Grottoes in Handan to the Jindeng Temple on the cliff in the deep mountains of Changzhi.
The mountain road is winding, passing through villages and stockades.
It was also excavated during the Northern Qi Dynasty, 1600 years ago...
In places like Shanxi and Shaanxi, it seems that anything casually taken out is at least nearly a thousand years old.
There is a unique grotto here~ At least I haven't seen it elsewhere:
The corridor around the central Buddha statue is a pool! A stone walkway has been set up against the wall on the outside...
The water is gathered into a pond by the mountain spring flowing from the top of the grotto, and there are even goldfish in the water, those goldfish all look leisurely and have a Buddhist nature.