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Best Things to Do
Popular Best Things to Do in Shuozhou [2025]
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Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
4.8
/5
14413 reviews
8.4
From AU$ 10.11
Based on 182 reviews
70.1 km from downtown
Phone +8603495088889
Address: Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
11-foot Buddha statue inside
Panoramic views of nature & history
Saved by 123 users13237 positive reviews
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The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, a historic and exquisitely crafted wooden structure, is known as the "Number One Wooden Pagoda in the World." The nine-story pagoda boasts exquisite carvings and murals, each worth a closer look.
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, also known as the Fogong Temple Sakyamuni Pagoda, is located in Yingxian County, Shuozhou, Shanxi Province. It is the oldest and tallest existing pure wooden pavilion-style building.
The following is a detailed introduction:
• Historical Evolution: Built in the second year of the Qingning reign of the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD), it served as the ancestral temple of the Liao Dynasty royal family and witnessed nearly a thousand years of historical changes.
• Architectural Features: The pagoda stands 67.31 meters tall, with a base diameter of 30.27 meters. It is octagonal in plan, with five floors and six eaves on the exterior, but nine floors (including four concealed floors) on the interior. The pagoda is constructed entirely of wood, without nails or rivets. It utilizes 54 different types of bracket sets, 240 in total. It is the wooden pagoda with the most bracket sets in ancient Chinese architecture and is known as the "Bracket Museum."
• Cultural Relic Value: 158 precious Liao Dynasty artifacts were discovered within the pagoda, including scriptures, paintings, colored sculptures, and the Seven Treasures Buddha Tooth Relic. Among them, the Liao Tripitaka fills a gap in the Liao edition of the Tripitaka, and the "Sakyamuni Preaching Statue" is the earliest discovered color-printed woodblock print in my country. Furthermore, the pagoda contains 54 precious plaques, including "Exquisite Divine Craftsmanship" and "A Wonder of the World" written by Ming Chengzu Zhu Di and Ming Wuzong Zhu Houzhao, respectively.
• Cultural Significance: The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda stands as a testament to the integration of ethnic cultures, embodying the Liao Dynasty's pluralistic governance philosophy of "ruling the state with Confucianism" and "ruling the mind with Buddhism." It is also a model of ancient Chinese architectural art and a culmination of the rich heritage of Buddhist culture. It is considered one of the "Three Great Pagodas of the World," along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
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Pure Land Temple
4.7
/5
1212 reviews
7.0
From AU$ 3.16
70.5 km from downtown
Address: Yingxian, Shuozhou, Shanxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Unique wooden pagoda up close
Intricate golden dragons adorn ceiling
1111 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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It's very quiet inside, a stark contrast to the crowds at the wooden pagoda. There are even kittens to play with, making it a perfect place for a solo stroll. The main attraction is the small wooden work on the roof, which truly feels like a palace in heaven. The Liao and Jin stone lions, with their dishevelled hair, are also quite interesting. I just don't understand why tourists make wishes and throw money everywhere... The rest of the courtyard and gate are mostly newly renovated, and some of the colors are too bright and tacky.
It is very close to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. The ticket is 15. It is not big inside and very leisurely. There are chairs to rest. There are many cats in the square. The Tiangong caisson is very shocking. There is no scenery along the way. The facade is also average, but when you walk in and see the caisson, you will be shocked.
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Chongfu Temple
4.8
/5
321 reviews
6.1
From AU$ 6.32
Based on 4 reviews
1.8 km from downtown
Phone +8603492023425
Address: East St, Shuocheng Qu, Shuozhou Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Explore One of the 3 Great Liao-Jin Buddhist Temples
Mi Tuo Hall's vertical plaque witnesses 800 years of history
220 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Chongfu Temple, garnering significant attention due to the release of "Black Myth: Wukong," is truly breathtaking. The Buddha statues in the Amitabha Hall are truly remarkable, featuring the Three Holy Ones of the West, each with a majestic presence and a 14-meter-tall backlit screen. The powerful muscular lines of the two guardian generals, Heng and Ha, exude a majestic presence. The vibrantly colored murals of the Jin Dynasty, along with the carved doors and windows, and the glazed ridge ornaments, form the "Five Wonders of the Jin Dynasty," showcasing the pinnacle of ancient art. This experience transports visitors back in time, allowing them to experience the religious and artistic charm of a millennium.
Worthy of being one of the Five Wonders of the Jin Dynasty, the plaques, statues, murals, carved doors and windows, and glazed ridge decorations are all exquisitely crafted. The backlight of the Buddha statue in the main hall is actually made of rattan, which is amazing! Friends who want to go should go early to experience it better when there are fewer people.
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