[2024 Wutai Attraction] Travel Guide for Nanchan Temple (Updated Oct)
Temples
Address:
Wutai, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China
Opening times:
Open today at 08:30-17:30Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1 hour
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".
DreamcatcherDreams123
Wutai County Nanchan Temple: The oldest existing wooden ancient temple in China, a masterpiece of craftsmanship!
Wutai County Nanshan Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty. Although it is not large, covering an area of only 3,000 square meters, it holds a very prominent position. The Buddha statues in the temple are all treasures of Tang Dynasty sculpture, and it is also the oldest existing ancient temple with a Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. It has immeasurable artistic value and can be considered a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Therefore, when traveling to Wutai County, you must not miss this Nanchan Temple, especially for those who love architectural aesthetics. A simple summary of the travel guide for Nanshan Temple in Wutai Mountain is as follows, I hope it will be helpful!
1. Ticket price: Adult ticket 20 yuan, student ticket, senior citizen ticket and preferential ticket price 10 yuan.
2. Opening hours: Closed every Monday, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 16:30.
3. Duration of visit: Although the temple is not large, the precious artworks are worth visiting. It is recommended to visit for at least 1 hour.
4. Best season: Wutai Mountain is also called Qingliang Mountain, and it is cool all year round. Therefore, summer is the best time to escape the heat. Visiting Nanshan Temple in Wutai Mountain is the same, midsummer is the best season.
5. Transportation: Nanshan Temple in Wutai County is far from Taihuai Town, and is closer to Wutai County and Xinzhou Wutai Mountain Airport. The distance from Wutai County to Nanshan Temple is 26 kilometers, and the distance from Wutai Mountain Airport to Nanshan Temple is 31 kilometers. You can take a tourist bus or taxi directly from the airport or Wutai County.
6. Food and accommodation: Nanshan Temple is located in a relatively remote location, so food and accommodation are more obvious. It is recommended to stay in Wutai County, where dining is also convenient.
7. Surrounding attractions: There are not many attractions around Nanshan Temple, and they are only suitable for self-driving tours. The famous Wutai Mountain is located 85 kilometers northeast of Nanshan Temple, and you can drive there for sightseeing.
ADALYNN HOPKINS
Follow the Black Myth: Wukong to unlock China's oldest wooden building - Nanchan Temple.
Compared with Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple is more remote. It took more than an hour to drive from Foguang Temple. The road conditions are generally good, but the road is narrow and you can't drive fast.
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Compared with the hall-style Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple is much smaller and more like a courtyard-style rural temple, but the main hall of Nanchan Temple is the oldest existing wooden building in China, no wonder it was selected by "Black Myth·Wukong". On a large flat beam in the hall, there are not very obvious ink marks: "Because the old name (time) Datang Jianzhong three years...rebuilding the temple law is obvious and cautious", which is the evidence of the reconstruction of this temple. Calculated, it has been more than 1200 years since now, 75 years earlier than Foguang Temple.
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Because the level of Nanchan Temple is lower, the main hall is only three square rooms, built on a square base. The main hall is a single-eave gray tile hip roof, with a total of 12 eave columns. There is no ceiling or pillars in the hall. The beam frame is extremely simple. The wall does not bear weight and only serves as a barrier. The weight of the roof is mainly supported by the pillars on the eaves wall through the beam frame. The eaves wall serves as a barrier to the outside and prevents wind and rain. The four columns around the column head are slightly inclined inward, forming an oblique angle with the cross beam; the four corner columns are slightly higher, and the layered brackets and layered arches form a "lift".
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However, the Nanchan Temple seen today is not the original appearance. It is said that serious damage was found in 1953. It was not until 1974 that the overhaul was started. The appearance has changed a lot. Not only the style of doors and windows has been changed, the eaves have been lengthened, the ridge has been cancelled, and the swallowtail has been replaced. Therefore, the restoration of the Tang style of Nanchan Temple is still controversial. It belongs to "incomplete induction based on a limited number of samples". It is not as well preserved as Foguang Temple.
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However, it is commendable that the Tang Dynasty colored sculptures in the hall still retain their original appearance, which can be described as Tang Dynasty treasures. I personally think it looks more natural than Foguang Temple. Unfortunately, among the 17 Tang sculptures, 3 were stolen in 1999 and have not been found yet. Now the hall is surrounded by iron fences and guarded by someone. When I went there, I couldn't take pictures in the hall. It is said that I can take pictures now.
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The most easily overlooked thing in the main hall is the brick-built Buddha altar under the colored sculpture, which is decorated with 70 exquisite brick carvings, all of which are original Tang Dynasty. I didn't pay much attention to it when I went there because I didn't do enough homework. I regretted it after checking the information.
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In addition to the main hall, the east and west side halls of Nanchan Temple are also buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with slightly mixed content, including the Dragon King Temple built in the Ming Dynasty and the Guanyin Hall and Bodhisattva Hall built in the Qing Dynasty. The East Cross Courtyard is a monk's room, also a building of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
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🏠Name | Nanchan Temple
🎫Ticket | 20 yuan
⛳Address | Lijiazhuang Village, Wutai County
🚗Traffic | Self-driving navigation "Nanchan Temple"
caeryn_6476
Wutai Mountain Nanchan Temple
The oldest existing wooden structure in China
One of the three major Tang structures in China
The oldest wooden structure in Asia
Built in the third year of Jianzhong (782),
Tang dynasty sculptures and architecture are renowned worldwide, a treasure of the world
The most touching aspect of Nanchan Temple
is the records on these steles
For hundreds of years
The villagers of Lijiazhuang and Guojiazha
have donated money, penny by penny
Generation after generation has repaired it
Broken and repaired, repaired and broken
The original wish remains renewed
The villagers of the two villages
have preserved this oldest national treasure Tang structure
Only then can we see this flourishing Buddhist light and hear the clear chanting of Brahma.
_TI***8f
Nanzen-ji Temple|The practice of walking meditation is a tradition hard to abandon since ancient times, and the Tang dynasty sculptures still shine, illuminating the Zen spirit
|The practice of walking meditation is a tradition hard to abandon since ancient times, and the Tang dynasty sculptures still shine, illuminating the Zen spirit. Deep in the ravines and steep valleys to the west of Mount Wutai lies a sanctuary for ancient architecture. This place, once rarely visited by outsiders, has become the miraculous home to the preserved Buddha Light Temple and Nanzen-ji Temple.
Today, this land has become an unavoidable stop for countless visitors of ancient sites. Nanzen-ji Temple, as China's 'oldest' wooden structure, was once overlooked by Liang Sicheng due to its remote location, but now it is gradually becoming known to people. Its unassuming stature has survived the Huichang Persecution of Buddhism, and within its deeply projecting eaves, it displays the boldness and ease of Tang dynasty architecture. The Tang sculptures within the temple freeze the confidence and vitality of the Tang people in the abbot's quarters.
Nanzen-ji Temple's main hall is rightfully considered a national treasure, a relic from the third year of the Tang Jianzhong era. It spans three bays in width and four rafters in depth, with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, surrounded by twelve columns. The three square columns on the western wall are remnants from the temple's original construction, extremely ancient.
The hall's wooden structure features are distinctly archaic. The brackets connect between columns without the use of common bracket arms, and at the corners, the brackets do not protrude. Observing the interior beams, the four rafters span from the front to the back eaves, with large forked hands supporting the ridge purlin on the flat beams. The column heads are fitted with five-layered double cantilevered bracket sets, a practice also quite ancient, appearing in archaeological materials from the Northern Dynasties to the Sui Dynasty. These features are not found in the architecture of the Five Dynasties and can be considered textbook examples of Tang dynasty construction.
The center of the hall houses a brick-built Buddha platform, adorned with brick carvings of flowers and animals. There are 17 Tang dynasty colored sculptures, which were partially repainted during the Yuan dynasty in a style similar to the Dunhuang sculptures, with plump and dynamic forms, pursuing a sense of movement and beauty. Especially the Guardian Kings on both sides best exemplify this sculptural style, reflecting the aesthetic orientation formed by the Tang people's inclusiveness, what Dana called the 'spiritual climate' refracted in the sculptural meaning.
Among these sculptures, the upward-looking child and the attendant Bodhisattva seem to have a lively exchange of gazes; the Guardian King and Bodhisattva on the west side touch fingers, as if resonating with the spiritual light heard from the Buddha's teachings. The entire hall is like a dynamic scroll, displaying the momentary diversity of a thousand faces in a single glance at a Dharma assembly. Nanzen-ji Temple is a village temple in Lijiazhuang, and what it exhibits is the folk art pursuit of harmony and dynamism, which is precisely the undercurrent in Chinese aesthetics that cannot be ignored.
Three colored sculptures from Nanzen-ji Temple were stolen in 1999 and remain missing to this day. The lotus platform where the Bodhisattvas were worshipped is now empty, a cause for lament.
Nanzen-ji Temple, together with the surrounding ancient structures like Buddha Light Temple, Yanqing Temple, Hongfu Temple, and Guangji Temple in Wutai County, has formed a very mature route, with no shortage of opportunities for shared or chartered transportation.
AadaLaine
Mount Wutai Super Practical Travel Guide
Hi there, buddies! Today, let's talk about some travel tips for Mount Wutai. This mountain in Shanxi is not only beautiful but also has a strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere✨.
🚌 Convenient Transportation
Whether you're starting from Taiyuan or Datong, you can get there directly by high-speed train or long-distance bus, which is super convenient. Once you're there, chartering a car, renting one, or taking a taxi are all good choices.
🏠 A Variety of Accommodation Options
There are various accommodation options here, from temples to hotels, suitable for different budgets and preferences. Remember to book in advance to avoid the place being fully booked.
🌸 Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are the golden seasons here, with fantastic weather and breathtaking scenery.
🕌 Must-Visit Attractions
- Wuye Temple: The incense is thriving, not to be missed.
- East Peak: Overlooking all the smaller mountains, with clouds rolling like the sea.
- Dai Liao Top: A Buddhist holy place, purifying the soul.
- South Zen Temple and North Zen Temple: Ancient and tranquil, offering a peaceful retreat.
⚠️ Precautions
- Respect local customs and protect cultural heritage.
- Prepare sunscreen and rain gear to deal with changeable weather.
- Follow the rules of the scenic area, safety first.
I personally really like the combination of nature and culture here, and every visit brings different gains and insights. Do you have similar travel experiences? Come and share!
Lily Glittery Petal
Five-Day Tour of Mount Wutai, Discover the Mysteries of Ancient Temples
Hey, buddies👋, do you feel like going on a spontaneous trip? Let me take you to explore the treasure of Shanxi—Mount Wutai!🏔️
🚗 Arriving at Mount Wutai, here are some transportation tips! Friends from Beijing can fly to Taiyuan, then take a bus or taxi into the mountains. If you're driving, remember to check your car for safety first!🚌
🏞️ On the second day, start your sightseeing. The early morning temples of Wuye and Wenshu await you, where you can experience the ancient charm. In the afternoon, visit the Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple, where the collision of history and culture is refreshing.🏯
🌲 On the third day, embrace nature. The reflection by the Mingyue Lake and the lush greenery of the White Horse Temple Forest Park are there for you to relax or to snap some great photos, it's your call!📸
🕍 On the fourth day, continue the in-depth tour. Guanghua Temple, Tayuan Temple, and others are waiting for you to explore. Don't forget to greet the local villagers and experience the simple rural life.🌾
🛎️ On the fifth day, leave with a heart full of memories. Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and put a perfect end to this journey.🍳
Has the beauty of Mount Wutai captivated you yet? Tell me which spot you'd like to visit the most, and let's plan our next trip together!🗺️
sylvara_5366
Wutai Mountain - Foguang Temple 2-Day Tour Transportation Guide (Non-Self-Driving)
Unlocked a pretty good route during the May Day holiday. It saves both money and time, recommended for solo travelers!
Taiyuan - Wutai Mountain Scenic Area Carpool
Wutai Mountain Scenic Area Free Shuttle Bus
It's convenient to take the bus to various temples within the scenic area, especially if you stay close to the main road. You can also walk, which is about two to three kilometers.
Wutai Mountain - Wutai County Ruchun Village Bus
Make sure to contact in advance to confirm the bus schedule, just wait at the station. There might be only two buses a day. It costs 25 yuan, and takes about an hour and a half. I met up with the chartered driver when I arrived at Ruchun Village.
Ruchun Village - Foguang Temple - Nanchan Temple - Dongye Chartered Car
There are many drivers along this line, but not many can plan the most suitable route for you. My driver arranged everything clearly. And since I visited fewer places, the chartered car fee was relatively cheap.
Dongye - Taiyuan Bus
The bus also has a schedule, and the driver knows it, so we just waited at the pick-up point in advance. But the seats are limited when leaving from Wutai County, and I just happened to get the last one. It costs 46 yuan, 2 hours.
Other tips:
If staying within Wutai Mountain Scenic Area, Yangbaiyu Village is recommended, with more dining and lodging options, convenient for taking the bus to the core area, and also walkable. The vegetarian meal at Puhua Temple starts at 11 am.
The cable car to Luotai Peak was not operating during the May Day holiday, so climbing was the only option. Other climbs include Bodhisattva Peak and Fanxian Mountain.
Generally speaking, the scenic area of Wutai Mountain gets less crowded after 3 pm, and the morning is the busiest time.
For most tourists, one day is enough to cover the core scenic area of Wutai Mountain.
Overall, if you can drive yourself, it's much more convenient. Make sure to book your vehicle in advance to enter the scenic area.
Matthew Carmichael
As agile as a bird, as swift as an arrow | Jinbei's Nanchan Temple & Foguang Temple
With an endless stream of tourists and study groups, Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple at the southern foot of Mount Wutai have become pilgrimage sites, simply because they house the two oldest wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty in China. The photos may seem ordinary, but they exude a simple and grand atmosphere, showcasing the distinctive style of Tang Dynasty architecture!
Nanchan Temple: The Great Buddha Hall was built in the third year of the Tang Dynasty's Jianzhong era (AD 782), making it over 1200 years old and the oldest existing wooden structure from the Tang Dynasty in China. It is also one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Although small in scale, the Great Buddha Hall is exquisitely crafted, with a simple technique that embodies the grand and minimalist artistic style of the Tang Dynasty. The temple houses 17 exquisite Tang Dynasty colored sculptures, which are considered treasures of Tang Dynasty sculpture art (photography is prohibited, and two Bodhisattva statues in front of the Great Buddha have been stolen).
Foguang Temple: The temple's main hall, the East Great Hall, was completed in the eleventh year of the Tang Dynasty's Dazhong era (AD 857). In terms of construction date, it ranks third after the Nanchan Temple's main hall in Wutai County and the Guangrenwang Temple in Ruicheng County (AD 831) among the existing wooden structures in China, making it the most complete and largest of the existing Tang Dynasty wooden buildings. Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty architecture, sculptures, murals, and inscriptions are all of high historical and artistic value, earning it the nickname 'The Four Excellences'.
Tips: Gain knowledge - Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin, and Foguang Temple
Not far from Nanchan Temple, Foguang Temple became world-famous because of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, turning it into a holy site for lovers of ancient architecture, paying tribute to the two masters. The discovery of Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty structures is credited to the famous Chinese scholar Mr. Liang Sicheng. While reading Paul Pelliot's 'Dunhuang Grottoes Catalogue', Mr. Liang noticed the depiction of the 'Great Buddha's Light Temple' in Cave 61 (see 'Architect Liang Sicheng' by Lin Zhu) and was inspired. To verify the hypothesis that 'there must still be Tang structures in domestic temples', he made a special trip to Mount Wutai in Shanxi Province in 1937 to search for treasures. Mr. Liang personally wrote a detailed, specific, and vivid account of the inspection process of Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty structures.
I really want to sculpt a statue of myself here, to accompany this devout Tang Dynasty noblewoman, sitting cross-legged in this solemn and silent place for a thousand years. - Lin Huiyin
Tips: Gain knowledge - Tang Dynasty Wooden Structures
There are a total of three complete and two 'half' Tang Dynasty wooden structures preserved in the country, with three and a half of them in Shanxi.
1. The main hall of Guangrenwang Temple in Ruicheng; built in the sixth year of the Tang Dynasty's Dahui era (AD 832), near Yongle Palace.
2. The Great Buddha Hall of Nanchan Temple in Wutai; the earliest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure. Built in the third year of the Tang Dynasty's Jianzhong era (AD 782).
3. The East Great Hall of Foguang Temple in Wutai; constructed in the eleventh year of the Tang Dynasty's Dazhong era, which is AD 857. From the beams to the doors and windows, it has been well-preserved for over a thousand years.
Half: Tiantai An in Pingshun, Shanxi; its main wooden structure is from the late Tang Dynasty, specifically the fourth year of Tianyou (AD 907).
Half: The bell tower inside Kaiyuan Temple in Zhengding, Hebei; its lower level is still the original Tang Dynasty structure, which is very precious.
Aspen_Winterbourne_25
Nanzhao Temple
Nanzhao Temple is located on the north bank of the Xiaoyin River in Yangbai Gully near Lijiazhuang in Yangbai Township, southwest of Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, 8 kilometers away from Dongye Town. It has a history of more than 1200 years. The temple faces south with its back to the north and covers an area of 3078 square meters. The main structures within the temple include the Mountain Gate (Guanyin Hall), the East and West Side Halls (Bodhisattva Hall and Dragon King Hall), and the Great Hall, forming a quadrangle courtyard-style complex. It is the earliest existing wooden structure in China and a key national cultural heritage site. The Great Hall is the oldest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. The Tang Dynasty sculptures in the temple are exquisite, considered to be treasures of Tang Dynasty sculptural art, and hold significant historical status and artistic value.
KYRIE PARKS
Step into China's oldest wooden structure - the main hall of Nanchan Temple
Nanchan Temple's main hall, with a width of 3 bays and a depth of 4 beams (3 bays), has a single-eave hip and gable roof. Although the hall is not large, it holds an extremely important position in the history of Chinese architecture and sculpture because it is the oldest of the only three and a half Tang Dynasty wooden structures remaining in China, coupled with the 17 Tang Dynasty colored sculptures in the hall. The original 17 Tang Dynasty colored sculptures are another top national treasure of Nanchan Temple! However, due to theft, only 14 remain. Nanchan Temple