China's foremost national treasure—the East Great Hall of Foguang Temple

Japanese scholars once unreasonably clamored that 'there are no wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty or earlier on Chinese soil.' Liang Sicheng traveled across much of China and identified the Great Foguang Temple in Shanxi as a relic of Tang Dynasty architecture, shattering the claim that one must go to Japan to see Tang Dynasty buildings. Foguang Temple is a gem of ancient Chinese architecture and holds an important place in the history of world architecture. Liang Sicheng joyfully exclaimed: 'This is the only Tang Dynasty wooden structure we have encountered in our years of searching. Not only that, within this very hall, we found Tang Dynasty paintings, Tang Dynasty calligraphy, Tang Dynasty sculpture, and Tang Dynasty architecture. They are rare treasures, but together they are uniquely unparalleled.' He also said: 'The grandeur of the chessboard-like layout, the profound depth of the eaves, the gentle slope of the roof, stable and majestic, containing infinite strength, are quite sufficient to represent the vitality of the era that was just beginning to wane.' He praised it with the high accolade of 'China's first national treasure.' Foguang Temple was founded during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. During the Huichang period of Emperor Wuzong of Tang, Buddhism was suppressed, and the Maitreya Pavilion and all the halls were destroyed in an instant, with only the Northern Qi Ancestral Master's Pagoda and several surrounding tomb pagodas surviving. After Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ascended the throne and revived Buddhism, in the eleventh year of Dazhong (857), the monk Yuanjie raised funds to rebuild Foguang Temple on the original site. The existing East Great Hall was reconstructed with the donations from Ning Gongyu, the favored wife of the eunuch Wang Shoucheng from Kyoto. The Tang Dynasty stele in front of the hall and the four beams in the north side room both mention 'Donated by Ning Gongyu, a female disciple,' mutually corroborating each other. 📍 Address: 50 meters east of Z051, Doucun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province 🈺 Opening Hours: 8:30-16:30

Shanxi Ancient Architecture Treasure | Foguang Temple, the Chinese Aesthetics Originating from the Tang Dynasty

Those who love ancient architecture must visit Shanxi more often, as the province alone upholds half of China's ancient architectural heritage. The surviving ancient buildings cover various historical dynasties, truly making it a 'Treasury of Ancient Chinese Architecture'. Getting to know Shanxi's Xinzhou starts with the Buddhist holy land of Mount Wutai, but Xinzhou is not just about Mount Wutai. The only three remaining Tang dynasty wooden structures in China, Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, and Guangrenwang Temple, are all located in Shanxi, with both Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Xinzhou. Although Foguang Temple is located in Wutai County, Xinzhou, it is not part of the Mount Wutai scenic area and is situated in a more remote and tranquil location. The entire temple complex is built against the mountain, with three levels. Inside the temple, not only is there the East Great Hall built during the late Tang Dynasty, but also the Manjusri Hall from the Jin Dynasty, an ancient pagoda from the Northern Wei Dynasty, and many Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, making it a historical architectural complex that spans across time. 👉Recommended attractions: 🔸East Great Hall: Built on a three-tiered platform, it is the earliest Tang dynasty wooden structure discovered by Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, and the existing largest hall-style wooden structure. The hall is seven bays wide, with huge bracket sets extending three meters from the eaves. Looking up, the grandeur is overwhelming, and I couldn't capture it all with a wide-angle lens. This Tang dynasty building, along with the Tang dynasty murals, colored sculptures, and inscriptions inside the hall, were collectively referred to as the 'Four Excellences' by Liang Sicheng. 🔸Manjusri Hall: Located on the first level platform, it is a Jin dynasty building, with the Buddha statues and murals inside restored during the Ming dynasty. This shows that Foguang Temple's preservation to this day owes much to the attention and protection it received from successive dynasties. 🔸Ancestral Master Pagoda: Foguang Temple was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and was destroyed twice, leaving only this ancient Northern Wei pagoda as evidence. 🔸Ancient Pines: In front of the East Great Hall, there are two ancient pines over a thousand years old, standing 30 meters tall like a large screen hiding the East Great Hall behind them. On the side of the Foguang Temple gate, there is a unique lying pine, to which locals have tied many red ropes as a sign of reverence. 🕑Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 🎫Ticket price: 40 yuan, guided tour service available for a fee. 🚗Transportation: Located in a remote mountain area, suitable for self-driving, about 100 kilometers from Xinzhou, a 2-hour drive, with good overall road conditions, and a parking lot below the temple.

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!🗺️

This is the most spectacular Jin Dynasty hanging eave hall I have ever seen!

I remember that as the main hall, the roof style is mostly hip-and-gable, with a few being shed roofs, but the Fengxian Temple in Jiyuan has taken a different path, constructing the roof of the Sanqing Hall, which is a five-bay main hall, into a hanging eave style, a style usually found in side halls or lesser halls, making Fengxian Temple a most unique existence! Jiyuan, as one of the small cities with a dense concentration of ancient Chinese architecture, naturally has the Fengxian Temple, a historical site I could not miss on my visit to Jiyuan. The Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the 24th year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1184 AD), is one of the three oldest and most authentic wooden structures in Henan, with a width of five bays and a depth of seven rafters. The large stone columns are topped with huge bracket sets, and due to its five-bay volume, its wind boards (Figure 3, located at the ends of the roof extending from the gable walls, made of wooden strips nailed to the top of the purlins forming a herringbone pattern as shown in the picture, serving both to protect against wind and snow and to cover the ends of the rafters) are exceptionally large. When I came to the side of the hall, I was truly shocked; this was the first time I had seen such a huge wind board. The Sanqing Hall also has several architectural features: First, it is early in date and high in purity. The Fengxian Temple's Sanqing Hall we see today was rebuilt in 1184 AD, and there are very few buildings like the Sanqing Hall from the Song and Jin periods left in the country. High purity means that the entire hall is well-preserved, with its wood and stone materials largely retained from the Song and Jin dynasties to the present, compared to buildings that were extensively renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties, its 'gold content' is very high. Second, it uses a column-reducing method, with a clever design. The hall was originally supposed to be supported by eight columns, but in reality, only two are used. Third, the materials used are huge and varied, with many components bearing labels indicating the use of woods such as chaste tree, persimmon, jujube, and mulberry. The size of the chaste tree and persimmon beams, and the jujube and mulberry columns are very rare. Mr. Liang Sicheng, a famous Chinese architect, commented after visiting the Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple: 'The technique is bold and the ideas are extraordinary.' The Wutai Mountain Foguang Temple's Manjusri Hall, which is famous for its column-reducing construction method, has seven bays and uses four columns, while the Sanqing Hall has five bays and uses two columns. In terms of the column-reducing technique, the Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple is even better than the Manjusri Hall.

Shanxi - Recommended Destination for May Day - Foguang Temple

A millennium of time, Shanxi's second day. At Foguang Temple, one can feel the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, with the ancient trees at the entrance of the East Great Hall, millennium-old murals, ancient pagodas, what have they experienced and what have they seen? The timing is perfect as the lilacs are blooming. Take a deep breath under the ancient trees, trying to take away some of the aura. Involuntarily, one makes a wish for the nation's peace and people's safety in the East Great Hall, as if only then does one deserve its status. May it last for another thousand years.

Shanxi!! Please promote this ancient temple of a thousand years well!!

It's hard to imagine a not very large temple, where the cultural relics span five dynasties, and are all relatively well-preserved, including the Northern Wei pagoda, the Tang and Jin dynasties' great halls.... Unlike the other temples of Mount Wutai, Foguang Temple is located far from the core scenic area, and perhaps it is this relatively remote location that has allowed the cultural relics that have crossed a millennium to be preserved. If it weren't for the persistence of the couple Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, it is estimated that they would have been buried in the annals of history for an even longer time. The famous Foguang Temple East Great Hall is the largest existing Tang dynasty wooden structure in our country. Climbing up the steep steps to the front of the hall, the expansive and majestic Tang dynasty architecture is fully visible. The temple is located in Foguang Village, Doucun Town, Wutai County, and although the location is remote, the road conditions are good, and you can drive directly to the vicinity of the temple.

Shanxi | The obscure Foguang Temple is actually the last remnant of the great Tang Dynasty

| The obscure Foguang Temple is actually the last remnant of the great Tang Dynasty. Retracing the Lianglin Road to Xinzhou Ever since I decided to visit Shanxi to see ancient architecture, Foguang Temple, one of the only three remaining Tang Dynasty buildings in China, has been on my must-visit list ⛩ Foguang Temple, built against the mountain, was rebuilt in the year 857 during the Tang Dynasty. The Eastern Great Hall is the destination of this trip. Mr. Liang Sicheng once said, 'In this very same hall, one finds Tang Dynasty paintings, calligraphy, and sculptures, each a rare treasure. Combined, they are unparalleled.' 🤏 (Little Tips) The stone steps in front of the Eastern Great Hall are quite steep, at a 90-degree angle, like the final test given by Buddha himself, be careful when ascending and descending! Compared to the ancient buildings in southeastern Shanxi, Foguang Temple is still quite obscure. There were hardly any people when I visited. Take the chance to appreciate the authentic Tang Dynasty ancient architecture before it becomes completely popular, and immerse yourself in the elegance of a thousand years ago, feeling the wisdom of the ancients 🎫 Ticket: 40 🚗 Transportation: Self-drive/Day trip, closer if departing from Taiyuan 🏠 Accommodation: Wutai County Town (relatively comfortable, 30km from Foguang Temple) Doucun Town (fewer options, very close to Foguang Temple) ☀️ For other attractions and tips about the trip to Shanxi, follow me for continuous updates.

Foguang Temple

Foguang Temple is located 32 kilometers northeast of Doucun Town in Wutai County, Shanxi Province, within the Foguang Mountain (on the west foothills of the southern peak of Mount Wutai). It was originally built during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471–499 AD). It was rebuilt in the eleventh year of the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (857 AD). The temple currently has more than 120 halls, pavilions, towers, and chambers. Among them, the East Great Hall has seven bays and is a Tang Dynasty construction; the Manjusri Hall also has seven bays and is a Jin Dynasty construction, while the rest are from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Tang Dynasty architecture, sculptures, murals, and inscriptions of Foguang Temple have high historical and artistic value. On March 4, 1961, Foguang Temple was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

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.

Five thousand years seem so distant, yet Shanxi is so close! Welcome to travel to Shanxi

Shanxi is simply a paradise of history! 😁📚 Stepping on this ancient land, what you see is not just a tree, a house🏡. Everything you see is actually a mark left by history in the frost and wind... I hope you can, like me, slow down, and listen to these silent stories. ✍️🎶 As you stroll leisurely in the Foguang Temple, the hustle and bustle around you may gradually fade away at this moment. Seeing the full wishes of people when they leave, it's as if you can understand the longing of the ancestors for this sacred land. 🌙🔔 Here, at the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, you can face a thousand years of history. This ancient pagoda has withstood the test of time and still stands tall. 💪🏛️ However, time is eroding its body on one side, reminding me of Liang Sicheng's words, 'I really can't bear to leave, fearing that once we part, it may be forever,' leaving my heart filled with mixed emotions. 😔⏳ Entering Jinci, those little houses that seem to come straight out of 'Journey to the West' always remind me of the footprints of Sun Wukong. Perhaps he once played here, otherwise, how could he conjure up such similar 'little houses'? 🤔🐒 Whether it's under the Feiyun Tower or in front of the Xixian Xiaoxitian Gate in Xixian County, Shanxi will bring you surprises everywhere, as long as you are willing. 😊🌈 But honestly, the charm of 'Shanxi' is far more than what my simple words can describe. So, my treasures, you have to come and experience the historical charm here for yourself. 💪🧡

Shanxi Tourism Day 2 - Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, Hongfu Temple, etc

Today's route started from Dingxiang in Xinzhou, setting out around ten in the morning, and successively visited Hongfu Temple, Nanchan Temple, Yanqing Temple, Guangji Temple, Zunsheng Temple, and Foguang Temple. By the time we reached Foguang Temple, the sunset was bathing the mountains, a sight too beautiful for words. Lunch was simply dry food in the car, and for dinner, we enjoyed Daixian braised fish, which was quite tasty. Hongfu Temple: The location is really magical, with only a small door visible on a distant mountain wall. Only after climbing the stairs can you see the grand hall, which is quite a shocking contrast. (p2-3) Free of charge Nanchan Temple: Only one main hall remains, which was significantly repaired after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is slightly different from its original form. The ticket inspector and the uncle working inside seemed to be cultured people; the uncle chatted with us for a long time and introduced a lot of information earnestly. Inside the temple, there are three square columns from the time the temple was built. Through a telescope, we saw the characters for 'the third year of Tang Jianzhong' on the beam, very clear (p4-6) Ticket price: 20 yuan Yanqing Temple: Very close to Nanchan Temple. Gaode Maps showed it as under renovation, but it was actually open. What remains is a Jin Dynasty main hall, but many new buildings have been constructed around it, and it's expected to develop into a major tourist attraction. The inside of the main hall is empty, which gave us the opportunity to fully appreciate the architecture of this temple. The pillars in the main hall were added later; the original construction used a method that required fewer pillars. (p7-9) Guangji Temple: Located on the central street of Wutai County, the door was closed when we arrived, and after knocking for a long time, an auntie came to open it. It's also a Yuan Dynasty temple, rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty (p10-12) Zunsheng Temple: The road to Zunsheng Temple was a narrow snowy path. There was no one in the temple, which belongs to the Esoteric Buddhism. The empty scene, combined with the temple's atmosphere, was actually a bit scary (p13-14) Foguang Temple: We arrived at Foguang Temple at four o'clock, just as the slanting sun was setting. There were only a few of us. The administrator was very nice and told us we could ask him anything. The entire East Great Hall is truly magnificent, an unaltered Tang Dynasty structure, with every piece of wood remaining as it was originally. We walked around Foguang Temple several times, carefully observing every detail of the walls and pillars, truly beautiful. (p15-18)

Detailed introduction to Shanxi travel guide, real experience

It has to be said that Shanxi in the off-season is too fragrant! I went to Datong once in the summer, there were too many people and the attractions were crowded. So I took advantage of the less crowded winter to go again, and played deeply for a week. I went to Datong, Ying County, Xinzhou Wutai, Taiyuan, and the experience was really good! 1️⃣ Going to Shanxi is mainly to see ancient buildings. There is a lot of history, Buddhism, and ancient architectural knowledge here, so you must do your homework in advance. You can read related books or find documentaries to watch, otherwise you won't understand many things at that time. 2️⃣ Yungang Grottoes are worth spending a day to see, one of the four major grottoes, to feel the exquisite art of the ancients. There are few people in the off-season, and each grotto can be carefully appreciated. In addition to the iconic smiling Buddha, there are many colorful grotto carvings that are lifelike, Wuhua Cave, Music Cave, the first time the local dog saw the colorful grotto was really shocking! 3️⃣ Datong temples Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple must go. Huayan Temple is a royal temple of the Liao Dynasty. Look at the Daxiong Hall, Baojiao Hall, and the smiling Buddha with teeth. Climb the Huayan Pagoda to overlook the ancient city of Datong. There is also a pure copper underground palace worth seeing. Shanhua Temple to see the dougong, see the statue, both temples are one of the eight major Liao structures, the first batch of national treasure-level cultural relics. 4️⃣ There are many plaques worth seeing in Ying County Wooden Pagoda, inscriptions from celebrities at different times, just like bullet screens. When the wind blows, the bells on the tower vibrate with the wind, and from time to time there are swallows flying by, it has been like this for a thousand years. After watching the wooden tower, go to Jingtusi to see the Tian Gong algae well, very close. 5️⃣ I chartered a car to Fuguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Wutai County. I knew about the story of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovering Fuguang Temple before, the earliest discovered wooden structure building, the light of ancient architecture. Follow the footsteps of the predecessors and feel the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. 6️⃣ Taiyuan went to Jinci and Shanxi Museum. There are historical buildings from the Song Dynasty to the Republic of China in Jinci, the earliest overpass of Yuzhao Feiliang, the statues of the Holy Mother Hall, and the plaques and couplets are all worth seeing. The bronzes, Buddhist statues and Jin merchants exhibitions in the Shanxi Museum are very powerful. 🚄Transportation: You can take the high-speed rail in major cities in Shanxi, and there are also buses between cities and counties, which are quite convenient. You can buy tickets at the bus station or online. 🍜Eat: Over-oil meat, knife-cut noodles, assorted hot pot, and shao mai are all recommended. 🧣Weather: Shanxi in winter is still very cold, I came from Beijing, I feel it is 10 degrees colder than Beijing, you must wear more clothes and stick to the warm baby well.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, under the sutra banners of the Foguang Temple, I encountered the footprints of Lin Huiyin

Walking into the Foguang Temple, slowly moving forward along the corridor, looking up at the mountain, two giant ancient pines cover the East Hall of the Foguang Temple, and going up the steep steps, suddenly the flying eaves and bucket arches, the majestic Tang-style architecture stretches in front of your eyes, the kind of surging thousand-year-old heroic breath is enough to conquer any believer. No wonder the telegram 'Construction Society Investigation Group Found Tang Dynasty Architectural Temple, Liang Sicheng Reported from Wutai Foguang Temple' published on July 9, 1937 in the 'Beiping Morning News' caused a great sensation. Nowadays, it is not easy to come here with developed transportation conditions. Imagine the mood of the gentlemen of the Construction Society when they got off the car and rode a donkey, ate in the wind and slept in the dew, and finally saw the Foguang Temple.

The main destination of the trip to Shanxi - Foguang Temple in the Wutaishan area - Liang Sicheng called it "China's first national treasure." There are no tickets now. I just heard that I had to go through overhaul in April. I was told that I didn't have this plan and I didn't know what the real situation was. The East Hall is the Tang Dynasty architecture, the Wenshu Hall is the gold structure, the herringbone truss is an isolated case in the sea, and there is also the Northern Weizu Tower. There are fences now, and the temple ink books and murals don't count on it. Can be seen in the Garan Hall, Figure 1-3 is the East Hall, Figure 7 is the Kalan Hall clay sculpture, Figure 8 is the Manjusri Temple Bodhisattva.