[2025 Jiang County Attraction] Travel Guide for Taiyin Temple (Updated Apr)

Legend has it that when Chenxiang in "The Lotus Lantern" split the mountain to save his mother, Mount Hua was split into two halves, one half is in Shaanxi, and the other half is in Jiangxian County, Shanxi. The half in Jiangxian County is called "East Huashan". Donghua Mountain faces south and north, and the sun is rarely seen at the foot of the mountain all year round, so it is also called "Taiyin Mountain". The most unique thing about Taiyin Temple is that it is built on the mountain, with its back to the south and facing the north, which is a yin direction, and the name of the temple is related to this. In addition, there are many strange things in Taiyin Temple. Facing north: It overturned the normal situation of temples facing south. The Great Hall: Other temples are called the Great Hall. Reclining Buddha statue: The proportions of the Buddha statue are a bit unbalanced, with a long waist and short legs. Is this the legendary beauty of deformation in art? don't know Buddha statues from the Jin Dynasty: The statues’ faces are distorted and crudely made, and they look like they were made later. But shouldn’t later sculptures have a completely new look? Flesh-and-blood statue of an eminent monk from the Yuan Dynasty: It is said to be a 1:1 life-size flesh-and-blood statue. Is there really flesh and blood in it? Why do I feel like he is just an ordinary statue? Color painting: Reclining Buddha from the Jin Dynasty, Donors from the Ming Dynasty

1. Overview Destination: Taiyin Temple, Jiang County, Shanxi Province (free entry) Recommended duration: Half a day to one day Best season: All year round, spring and autumn are best 2. History Taiyin Temple, a thousand-year-old temple hidden in Jiang County, southern Shanxi, was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It has been repaired and expanded many times during the Tang, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and has become a treasure with profound historical and cultural heritage. In 2001, Taiyin Temple was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council, and its historical value and artistic charm are not to be underestimated. 3. Tour guide Main Hall highlights: The small Buddha altar and wooden shrine in the Main Hall of the Jin Dynasty, the reclining Buddha statue of Sakyamuni in the Buddha tent, and the seated statues of the three great Bodhisattvas of Guanyin, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra above the Buddha tent. Highlights: If you look closely at the seated statues of the three great Bodhisattvas, you will find that their placement is quite peculiar, as if telling an ancient story. Bodhisattva Shuguang statue location: Right side of the Main Hall Highlights: This statue with a missing left hand is the famous "Bodhisattva Shuguang". To commemorate his outstanding contribution to the temple, the monks created this statue after his death. The statue is lifelike, like a wise and kind old man, quietly guarding the ancient temple. Bodhisattva head comparison tip: Although you can't see the real thing, you can compare the Bodhisattva head in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in the United States with the Bodhisattva statue in the Main Hall by consulting relevant materials or online pictures to feel its artistic charm across time and space. 4. Notes Please respect the religious customs and regulations in the temple, keep quiet, and do not make loud noises. Dress appropriately and avoid wearing overly revealing or inappropriate clothing. Pay attention to the protection of cultural relics and do not touch or climb any items in the temple. If you need to take photos, please follow the temple's photography regulations and do not use flash or tripods. 5. Nearby recommendations While visiting Taiyin Temple, you can also explore the surrounding natural scenery and cultural landscapes, such as nearby ancient towns and villages, to experience the unique cultural heritage and natural scenery of Jiang County. 6. Summary Taiyin Temple is not only an ancient building, but also a living history book. With its unique historical charm and profound cultural heritage, it attracts countless tourists to explore and savor. Here, you can feel the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients, as well as their endless pursuit of beauty. Why not take some time to embark on this journey through time and space!

🌿 Exploring the Tranquil Ancient Temple - Taiyin Temple in Jiang County 🌿 🌄 Hidden in a corner of Jiang County, Shanxi Province, Taiyin Temple may not be well-known, but it holds national treasure-level secrets. Here, not only is there a long history, but also breathtaking wood carving art. 🏯 🕗 Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 💸 Admission: Free 📍 Address: Zhangshang Village, Weizhuang Town, Jiang County, Shanxi Province 🏛️ Honor: Fifth batch of national protected units 🌟 Highlights: Single wood-carved reclining Buddha, Taiyin Temple stele 📜 Taiyin Temple, also known as the Reclining Buddha Temple, was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and has undergone expansions and renovations during the Tang, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The main hall here is a relic from the Jin Dynasty, while other buildings are newly constructed in recent years. 🏺 The plaque inside the main hall, titled "Hall of Great Hero," has a unique writing style that is rare nationwide. The main hall is spacious, cleverly using the "reduced column method," making the space appear particularly open, supported only by four golden pillars behind the reclining Buddha. 🌈 The most dazzling treasure in the main hall is undoubtedly the largest single wood-carved reclining Buddha in the country. The reclining statue of Shakyamuni in Nirvana is 4 meters long, with a golden body shining brightly and flowing robes. Every detail of the Buddha statue is vividly lifelike, as if telling the Zen meaning of a thousand years. 🖼️ Inside the wooden shrine, there are also precious wooden panel murals from the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, depicting a mourning scene that makes one feel as if they have traveled through time, experiencing the sorrow and solemnity of that era. 😔 Unfortunately, the Jin Dynasty murals and colored sculptures inside the hall were stolen during the Republic of China period and lost to the Netherlands. The Buddha's head on the statue was also later repaired; although the craftsmanship is superb, it is ultimately not the original appearance. 📜 The "Stele of the Reconstruction of Taiyin Temple by the Master of the Carved Sutras" inside the temple is equally precious and closely related to the national treasure "Zhaocheng Jin Tripitaka" in the National Library. The stele records the carving and printing process of the "Zhaocheng Jin Tripitaka," which is important material for studying the Song Dynasty woodblock printed Chinese Tripitaka. 👨‍🦲 The statue of Monk Fashu beside the reclining Buddha is extremely realistic, as if a high monk is sitting on an ancient chair, waiting for visitors through the millennia. 🏞️ Taiyin Temple, a niche and mysterious place, awaits every history lover to explore. Here, every step is a journey through time, and every glance is a discovery.