[2024 Xi County Attraction] Travel Guide for Xiaoxitian (Updated Jun)

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#Xiaoxitian Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Temples

Address:

Xiaoxitian, Xicheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China

Opening times:

Opens at 07:30-18:00Open

Recommended sightseeing time:

2 hours

Phone:

0357-6733033

I made a special trip to Shanxi for this hanging sculpture, and it was truly stunning

"Dust from the east and west does not separate, the world and the heavens are all dignified" Shanxi hides an ancient Ming dynasty temple with legendary colors🏯 Within the temple lies the most exquisite ancient hanging sculpture in existence in China, hailed as the "ultimate chant of hanging sculpture" in the history of Chinese sculpture art👏🏻 This place is---Xixian Xiaoxitian❗️ . ✅The entire Daxiong Hall contains thousands of sculptures of various sizes ✅The largest Buddha statue is over 3 meters tall, and the smallest can be held in the palm. There are also numerous human-faced Apsaras, divine birds, peacocks, and parrots perched on the misty clouds. The vast group of sculptures is complex yet not cluttered, naturally orderly, set against the layered heavenly palaces ✅Although protected by railings, it is almost face-to-face, and this feeling of viewing historical relics up close is extremely shocking! —— 👉🏻Xiaoxitian, also known as Qianfo An, was founded in the second year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming dynasty, located on the precipice of Phoenix Mountain to the west of Xixian County, Linfen, Shanxi, with a perilous terrain 🏘Xiaoxitian has many buildings including the Daxiong Hall, Wenshu Hall, Puxian Hall, Wuliang Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Weituo Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, etc. The scale is not large but complete 🕰The hanging sculptures were mostly painted and sculpted between the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming dynasty (1644) and the thirteenth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing dynasty (1656), depicting seas of clouds, mountains, mythological figures, exotic flowers, Vajra Arhats, etc., lifelike as if they were vivid three-dimensional paintings, remaining untainted after more than three hundred years 🧽The painted beams in the framework are even made with gold leaf on a base of fine plaster, similar to the dragon and phoenix and imperial colored paintings in the court. They belong to a higher grade of painting and are extremely precious 💯Incredibly valuable, definitely not to be missed‼️ . 📍Xixian Xiaoxitian 🎫 35💰 🖼Shanxi Province, Linfen Xixian 🚗 It is recommended to drive or charter a car, or you can take a yellow bus in Linfen 🕰Approximate browsing time: 1-2 hours (it's really particularly stunning in reality, feels like you could spend half a day inside) . 🎈Guided tours are available in the scenic area, very cheap ❗️Please be sure not to touch the relics casually ‼️I'll say it again, this place is really worth visiting! .

amara.seraphine.hawkwood

The beauty of ancient architecture in Shanxi leads the charm of ancient rhythm and modern style

🌄Shanxi, this ancient and mysterious land, is home to countless ancient buildings that captivate people's hearts. Today, let's explore the charm and allure of Shanxi's ancient architecture together! 🏯Our first stop is the Shuanglin Temple. Located southwest of the ancient city of Pingyao, this temple is grand in scale, with particularly exquisite painted sculptures and murals, making one feel as if they are in a palace of art. 🏰Next, we head to the Zhenguo Temple. Situated in Wanrong County, this temple is famous for its architecture from the Five Dynasties period and Northern Song Dynasty painted sculptures. Walking through it, one can almost hear the echoes of history. 🏛️Then, we visit the Taifu Temple. Located in the city of Xinfeng County, its Yuan Dynasty architectural style and exquisite murals are captivating. 🏞️Our next stop is Xiaoxitian. Located northwest of Xixian city, the Buddhist statues inside the Mahavira Hall here are considered treasures of Buddhist art, leaving visitors in awe. 🏛️Moving forward, we come to the Guangsheng Temple. This temple, located northeast of Hongtong County city, is known for its long history and magnificent architecture. 🏢Finally, we arrive at the Jiangzhou Hall. As a landmark building of Xinjiang County, it attracts countless visitors with its simple and elegant style and unique cultural connotations. 🔍Each ancient building in Shanxi has its unique story and charm. If you also want to experience the allure of ancient rhythm and modern style, why not take a trip to Shanxi and feel the history and culture of this land for yourself. 📸Come and click on the homepage to see more Shanxi travel tips!

JESSICA THORNTON

Shanxi doesn't promote this place, what a pity! A hall full of hanging sculptures! It's truly worth the visit!!

Shanxi doesn't promote this place, what a pity! A hall full of hanging sculptures! It's truly worth the visit!! Attend a visual feast in Xixian County It's even more stunning than I imagined! So beautiful! I sincerely recommend my friends to travel to Shanxi, it's incredibly valuable!!! Every inch is art, worthy of careful appreciation. You must not miss Xixian County's Xiaoxitian when visiting Shanxi!! Xiaoxitian

avellia_2639

Western Paradise Scenic Spot with Hanging Colored Sculptures | Xiaoxitian in Xixian County, Jinzhong, Shanxi

【Shanxi's Goodness and Beauty·Xixian·Western Paradise Scenic Spot Full of Splendor】The YYDS of Chinese hanging sculpture art is here, and photos can't show even one percent of its beauty. This is the Buddhist Pure Land of Xiaoxitian located in Xixian County, Linfen City. To witness this splendor, you need to climb the stairs. Before you enter the main hall, you'd better polish your eyes or glasses, as you might feel like you've entered a dream world! The hall is not large, even somewhat narrow, but those ingenious works of art are right before your eyes, take your time to appreciate them! Tips1: The real value of Xiaoxitian lies in the perfectly preserved hanging sculptures in the main hall. Most of the hanging sculptures in the hall were painted between the 17th year of the Ming Chongzhen era (1644) and the 13th year of the Qing Shunzhi era (1656). The sculptures inside the hall are dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful, remaining untouched by dust for more than three hundred years, as intact as new. The hall is filled with colored sculptures, and in addition to the five main statues above the altar, the walls, beams, and even the rafters are covered with thousands of sculptures. These sculptures, with their varied postures and vivid forms, are set in the halls and pavilions of the Thousand Buddha States. Some are over three meters tall, while others are only the size of a thumb, intricate but not cluttered, orderly expressing the vast world of Buddhism. Tips2: Inside the main hall, there are five interconnected Buddha niches, separated by a four-story pagoda. On the front side of the hall, from left to right, 'Medicine Buddha', 'Amitabha Buddha', 'Shakyamuni Buddha', 'Vairocana Buddha', and 'Maitreya Buddha' are seated in the center of the niches, with attendant Bodhisattvas on both sides. The ten great disciples stand on both sides, with graceful figures and subtle expressions, vividly portrayed. On the south wall of the hall, Buddhist figures and stories such as the 'Four Directions and Three Saints' and the 'Four Heavenly Kings' are sculpted, while on the north wall, stories from Mount Sumeru's thirty-three layers of 'Trāyastriṃśa Heaven', the life of Buddha, and the Jataka tales of Shakyamuni are depicted. On the beams, the eight great Vajra are majestic and powerful, and the walls between the beams are adorned with the resplendent 'Pure Land'; numerous human-faced Apsaras, divine birds, peacocks, parrots, and cranes float on the misty clouds, and the twelve musical Bodhisattvas perform 'heavenly' songs and dances with light and graceful figures, gentle and pure, moving freely. The entire hall, with its heavenly palaces and pavilions, layers upon layers, shrouded in mist, and adorned with pastel colors, presents a captivating scene of a fairy palace and Buddhist land. 📝Tips for your visit: 1. It's cheaper to buy tickets online in advance 2. You can generally take photos📷

Elijah MacGregor

Shanxi doesn't promote this place enough, it's bewildering! A full hall of hanging sculptures! It's truly worth the visit!!

💥 Attend a visual feast in Xixian County 💥 More stunning than you can imagine! It's so beautiful! 💥 I sincerely recommend that friends come to Shanxi for a tour, it's incredibly worthwhile!!! 💥 Every inch is art, worthy of careful appreciation 💥 When visiting Shanxi, you definitely shouldn't miss Xixian's Little Western Heaven!!

genevieve_leclerc_86

Xiaoxitian | Perhaps the Buddhist world looks something like this~

🌈 Xiaoxitian, also known as Qianfo An, is located on the summit of Phoenix Mountain to the west of Xixian City in Linfen, Shanxi Province. It was founded in the seventh year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1634) by Zen Master Dongming. It was named for the thousand Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall, and later renamed Xiaoxitian because the heavy gate was inscribed with 'The Way to Western Heaven', to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty temple in the south of the city called 'Daxitian'. 🌈 The sculptures inside the hall are the highlight of Qianfo An, with the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Vairocana Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha as the core five main Buddhas. Each main Buddha is flanked by attendant Bodhisattvas, surrounded by sculptures of the ten great disciples, six young novices, the Glazed Pure Land, the heavens of the six desires, the ten great wrathful deities, and the celestial musicians. 🌈 Ticket price 🎫35, explanation service 50, free for children under 1.2m. It's a very worthwhile attraction to visit, with all the hanging sculptures located inside the Mahavira Hall. It tends to be crowded, and parking nearby is not easy.

Scarlett.Perry.51

Xixian Xiaoxitian | The 'Suspended Sculpture Masterpiece' in the history of Chinese sculpture art

Distinct from other grand and towering famous mountains and large temples, Xiaoxitian, founded by the Ming Dynasty Zen master Dongming in the second year of the Chongzhen era, is built against the mountain and surrounded by mountains on three sides, yet it is very delicate as a whole, covering an area of just over 1100 square meters. Initially named 'Qianfo An' (Thousand Buddha Nunnery) due to the presence of a thousand Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall, it was later renamed 'Xiaoxitian' (Little Western Heaven) to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty temple in the south of the city called 'Daxitian' (Great Western Heaven). The temple buildings are scattered and situated on the mountain peak, filling the limited space with the Mahavira Hall, Manjusri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Beamless Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Weituo Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and many other structures. The overall layout is innovative and exquisitely intricate, making full use of the space. The surrounding natural scenery and the temple buildings complement each other, forming an integrated whole, creating a poetic and picturesque magnificent landscape. Two-thirds of the temple halls are double-layered structures, stacked and winding, with meandering paths leading to secluded spots, resembling the freedom and charm of a garden while maintaining the traditional temple pattern. Inside the halls, the beams and painted rafters are richly decorated and elegant. Coupled with the temple's collection of the rare official edition treasure 'Ming Yongle Northern Canon', it has become a rare treasure for studying Chinese Buddhist history, canon history, ethics, and even folklore.

leona_ortiz_london

Shanxi | After Xiaoxitian in Linfen Xixian, there will be no more full hall of hanging sculptures

| After Xiaoxitian in Linfen Xixian, there will be no more full hall of hanging sculptures. Be sure to come in the morning, as the temple faces east with its back to the west, and the morning sun will shine in. Standing inside the Mahavira Hall, I looked over and over again, and even after stepping out, I felt a sense of reluctance to leave and went back in to look around some more. Feel free to ask any questions at any time. 【Overview】 Before Xiaoxitian, there were no full hall of hanging sculptures, and after Xiaoxitian, there will be no more. ① Xiaoxitian itself is not large, with all the hanging sculptures located within the Mahavira Hall, which houses more than two thousand statues. They are dazzlingly gilded and exquisitely crafted, with pavilions and towers layered in an orderly fashion, deserving to be called the 'Chinese Hanging Sculpture Art Museum', and no words of praise can do it justice. ② The sculptures in the hall are centered around five main Buddhas. Unlike other temples, this place is not known for these main Buddhas but for the full hall of hanging sculptures that are rich in variety and grand in scale. Especially noteworthy are the hanging sculptures of musicians on the aerial pavilions, which are finely carved, delicate and beautiful, dressed in celestial robes and long skirts, with a forward-leaning waist, graceful figures, and enchanting postures, dancing and swirling in the heavenly palace. 3 The slightly forward-leaning Buddha statues not only give a sense of closeness but also allow dust to fall behind them. Coupled with the east-facing orientation, despite hundreds of years without cleaning, there is little dust, truly making it a 'dust-free' Buddhist world. 🎫【Ticket】 Tickets are 35 yuan, and if you purchase them online a day in advance, they are 28 yuan, which can save a little. You also need to go to the ticket window to exchange your online ticket before entering. No ID card is required, nor is a reservation needed. ⏰【Opening Hours】 8:00-18:00, it is recommended to allow 2 hours for the visit. 📍【Location】 180 kilometers from Linfen City, a 2-hour drive. It's truly far, but also truly beautiful, and fortunately, the road is well-maintained, with smooth traffic on the highway. It is recommended to visit Dongyue Temple in Puxian County on the same day. 🅿️【Parking】 For self-driving, navigate to 'Xiaoxitian Parking Lot', parking is 5 yuan per time. I thought it was a niche attraction, but to my surprise, there were many cars and people during the National Day holiday, and there was a long queue at the parking lot. However, traffic police were on site to direct and inform that you can park on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot, free of charge and without penalty. • Tips It is recommended to bring a telescope to see more details of the hanging sculptures.

JUNIPER BATES

The world of 'Suspended Sculpture Masterpieces' in Xiaoxitian is fascinating

🛕 Xiaoxitian, originally named Qianfo An, was founded by Zen Master Dongming in the second year of Chongzhen (1629). Xiaoxitian is built on a solitary peak west of Xixian city, with clear streams flowing from its flanks and earthen hills extending from its wings, resembling a phoenix spreading its wings, hence it was named Fenghuang Mountain. ⛩ The architecture of Xiaoxitian is mainly divided into the lower temple, upper temple, and front temple. The Wuliang Hall is built into the earth as a cave, forming the lower temple in front of it; the Daxiong Baodian is built on top of the Wuliang Hall cave roof, forming the upper temple; on the top of the Gu Tong Peak, there are the Guanyin Pavilion and Kuixing Pavilion, below which is the front temple. The temple covers an area of just over 1100 square meters, and within this extremely limited space, there are more than 20 buildings, with a rigorous layout, staggered and orderly, small and exquisite, which is admirable. 🕋 The Daxiong Baodian originally had 1978 large and small suspended Buddha statues, with 1673 still existing, accounting for 14% of the province's existing Ming and Qing dynasty colored sculptures, which number 11630. The sculptures are vividly shaped and exquisitely crafted. The Daxiong Baodian's colored sculptures come in three forms: round sculpture, relief sculpture, and suspended sculpture, with the large suspended sculptures being hailed as the 'masterpieces' of the history of Chinese sculpture art, enjoying a unique status at home and abroad and a reputation for their enchanting artistry. ✅ The upper part of the north wall and the mountain flower spire of the Daxiong Baodian are adorned with the 'Six Desires Heaven' suspended sculpture group, which is an extremely precious Buddhist ideological history sculpture. The south wall features the 'Glazed Holy Realm' suspended sculpture group, with 'Glazed Holy Realm' referring to the entire paradise. ✨ Between the north and south ends, there is the 'Mingwang Palace' suspended sculpture group, which depicts the ten great Mingwang figures. There are four groups of celestial musician sculptures, located on the first-floor platform of the Amitabha Buddha niche, the Shakyamuni Buddha niche, the Vairocana Buddha niche, and the upper part of the Three Saints image on the west side of the south wall. 🌟 There are more than 1600 of these small suspended sculptures, all arranged above the wall columns and beams, creating scenes and images with meaning, complementing the activities of the figures with heavenly palaces, pavilions, terraces, and waterside pavilions, celestial orchestras, and jeweled canopies, as well as birds and beasts, flying dragons and dancing phoenixes🐉, a dazzling array, each with its own wonderful aspects. They fully demonstrate the ability to float in the air and tread the void, depicting the ethereal paradise of the Western Pure Land of imagination, aptly used. Inside the heavenly Buddha land, with its layered pavilions, exotic flowers and plants, Dragon Flower trees🌲, and a myriad of characters and animals🦅, the solemnity of preaching and the joy of music and dance, it's like a movie scene rolling past you. 💫 These cold objects seem to have turned into flesh-and-blood spirits, each one coming to life: the flying Apsaras soaring freely, the musicians dancing gracefully, the Mingwang patrolling the clouds, and the many officials busily attending to their duties.... Everything appears solemn, austere, harmonious, and joyful.

DavidPowell789-

Xixian County, Shanxi Province, the Thousand Buddha Nunnery of Xiaoxitian

Xixian County, Shanxi Province, the Thousand Buddha Nunnery of Xiaoxitian. The mountains have lush foliage, and the marshes bloom with lotuses. In Xixian County, Shanxi Province, lies the Thousand Buddha Nunnery of Xiaoxitian, a filming location for the Black Myth. It's breathtaking! Cameras fail to capture the awe that meets the eye! Staring too long may lead to obsession.

orinthea_4659

Western Paradise Scenic Spot with Hanging Colored Sculptures | Xiaoxitian in Xixian County, Jinzhong, Shanxi

The YYDS of Chinese hanging sculpture art is here, photos can't show one percent of its beauty, this is the Buddhist Pure Land—Xiaoxitian located in Xixian County, Linfen City. To witness this splendor, you need to climb up the stairs. Before you enter the Daxiong Hall, you'd better polish your eyes or glasses, I'm afraid you'll think you've entered a dream world! The hall is not big, even somewhat narrow, those ingenious artworks are right in front of your eyes, enjoy them slowly! Tips1: The real value of Xiaoxitian lies in the perfectly preserved hanging sculptures in the Daxiong Hall. Most of the hanging sculptures in the hall were painted between the 17th year of the Ming Chongzhen era (1644) and the 13th year of the Qing Shunzhi era (1656). The sculptures in the hall are dazzling and radiant, exquisitely touching, and after more than three hundred years, they are as clean and intact as new. The hall is filled with colored sculptures, in addition to the five main statues above the Buddhist altar, the walls, beams, and even the rafters are painted with thousands of colored sculptures. These sculptures have different postures and vivid shapes, placing you in the midst of the halls and pavilions of a thousand Buddha nations. The tallest ones reach over 3 meters, while the smallest are only the size of a thumb, intricate but not cluttered, orderly expressing the vast world of Buddhism. Tips2: Inside the Daxiong Hall, there are five interconnected Buddha niches, separated by a four-story pagoda. In the front of the hall, 'Medicine Buddha', 'Amitabha Buddha', 'Sakyamuni Buddha', 'Vairocana Buddha', and 'Maitreya Buddha' are arranged from left to right, seated in the center of the niches, with attendant Bodhisattvas on both sides. The ten great disciples stand on both sides, with graceful shapes and subtle expressions, lifelike in every detail. On the south wall of the hall, stories of Buddhist figures such as the 'Four Directions Three Saints' and the 'Four Heavenly Kings' are sculpted, while on the north wall, stories from Mount Sumeru's thirty-three layers of 'Trāyastriṃśa Heaven', the life of Buddha, and the Jataka tales of Sakyamuni are depicted. On the main beam, the eight great Vajras are majestic and powerful, and the walls between the beams are adorned with the resplendent 'Pure Land'; numerous human-faced Apsaras, divine birds, peacocks, parrots, and cranes roam among the misty clouds, while the twelve musical Bodhisattvas perform 'heavenly' songs and dances with light and elegant postures. The entire hall, with its heavenly palaces and pavilions, layers upon layers, shrouded in mist, and adorned with pastel colors, presents a captivating scene of a fairyland and Buddhist kingdom. 📝Note tips: 1. It's cheaper to buy tickets online in advance 2. Photography is basically allowed 📷

DataNinja

The ancient architecture of Shanxi - Xiaoxitian in Xixian County reaches the pinnacle of suspended sculpture

🎈 Xiaoxitian in Xixian County, also known as Ganfo An, is located at the summit of Phoenix Mountain to the west of Xixian County in Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It is a Buddhist Zen monastery founded by the Ming Dynasty Zen Master Dongming in the second year of the Chongzhen era. It was originally named for the dry-lacquered Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall, and later, due to the inscription 'Path to the Western Heaven' on the heavy gate, it was renamed 'Xiaoxitian' to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty monastery 'Daxitian' in the south of the city. 🎈 The total building area of Xiaoxitian in Xixian County is over 1,100 square meters, with structures including the Mahavira Hall, Manjusri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Beamless Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Weituo Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and many other halls. Caves are used as entrances, separating the upper, middle, and front courtyards. In fact, two-thirds of the temple halls are double-layered structures. The suspended sculptures and colored paintings inside Xiaoxitian in Xixian County are of great reference value for the study of Ming and Qing Dynasty suspended sculptures and colored paintings. 🎈 On March 5, 2013, Xiaoxitian in Xixian County was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the fourth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

KENZIE LAWRENCE

Shanxi The Ancient Architecture Stories I Know (1)

|||🚩Xiaoxitian: Also known as the Thousand Buddha Nunnery, it was founded during the Ming Dynasty. There is an interesting little story about the Arhat statues in Xiaoxitian. It is said that when they were building this place, the craftsmen first constructed five Arhat statues on the left side. At that time, a wandering monk came by and saw the statues. He offered to help complete the five statues on the right side, and the craftsmen gladly accepted. However, after just one night, the monk left. When they came to the hall, they found that the five statues on the right had been completed, and they were lifelike, especially the facial expressions which were incredibly vivid. They were quite different from those made by the craftsmen on the left side. Unfortunately, the monk had already left, and it was impossible to rebuild them, so they had to maintain the status quo, resulting in the current uncoordinated level of craftsmanship between the statues on the left and right. Picture 3, 4: The statues built by the monk Picture 5: The statues built by the craftsmen 🚩Feiyun Tower: One of the main buildings within the Wanyong Dongyue Temple. There is a small story about the construction of Feiyun Tower. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin passed through Wanyong County while leading his army to suppress a rebellion. After the rebellion was quelled, he built a temple here to commemorate his achievements. The temple was rebuilt and renovated many times in later generations, and the tower we see now was reconstructed during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.

edie_wagner_02

Scenic Splendor Fills the Hall | Xiaoxitian in Xixian County, Shanxi

【Shanxi's Beauty and Goodness·Xixian·Xiaoxitian Scenic Splendor Fills the Hall】The YYDS of Chinese hanging sculpture art is here, photos cannot show one percent of its beauty, this is the Buddhist pure land—Xiaoxitian located in Xixian County, Linfen City. To witness this splendid hall, you need to climb the stairs. Before you enter the Daxiong Hall, you better polish your eyes or glasses, I'm afraid you'll think you've entered a dream world! The hall is not big, even a bit cramped, those ingenious artworks are right in front of you, enjoy them slowly! Tips1: The real value of Xiaoxitian lies in the perfectly preserved hanging sculptures in the Daxiong Hall. Most of the hanging sculptures in the hall were painted between the 17th year of the Ming Chongzhen era (1644) and the 13th year of the Qing Shunzhi era (1656), the sculptures inside the hall are dazzling and magnificent, exquisitely moving, after more than three hundred years they remain as clean as new, intact as ever. The hall is filled with colorful sculptures, in addition to the five main statues above the altar, the walls, beams, and even the roof rafters are all painted with thousands of colorful sculptures. These sculptures have different postures and vivid shapes, placing you in the halls and pavilions of a thousand Buddha nations. Some are over 3 meters tall, while others are only the size of a thumb, intricate but not cluttered, orderly expressing the vast world of Buddhism. Tips2: Inside the Daxiong Hall, there are five interconnected Buddhist niches separated by a four-story pagoda. In the front of the hall, from left to right, 'Medicine Buddha', 'Amitabha Buddha', 'Shakyamuni Buddha', 'Vairocana Buddha', and 'Maitreya Buddha' are seated in the center of the niches, with attendant Bodhisattvas on both sides. The ten great disciples stand on both sides, with graceful shapes and subtle expressions, vividly portrayed. On the south wall of the hall, Buddhist figures and stories such as the 'Four Directions Three Saints' and the 'Four Heavenly Kings' are sculpted, and on the north wall, stories from Mount Sumeru's thirty-three layers of 'Trāyastriṃśa Heaven', the life of Buddha, and the Jataka tales of Shakyamuni are depicted. On the beams, the eight great Vajra are mighty and majestic, and the walls between the beams are adorned with the resplendent 'Pure Land'; numerous human-faced Apsaras, divine birds, peacocks, parrots, and cranes roam among the misty clouds, and the twelve musical Bodhisattvas perform 'heavenly' songs and dances with light and graceful figures, gentle and pure, moving freely. The entire hall, with its heavenly palaces and pavilions, layered upon each other, shrouded in mist, and decorated with colorful makeup, presents a captivating scene of a fairy palace and Buddhist land. 📝Note tips: 1. It's cheaper to buy tickets online in advance 2. Photography is basically allowed📷

KARTER BURTON

I absolutely love this feeling, I'm truly amazed by Shanxi!

I absolutely love this feeling, I'm truly amazed by Shanxi! The ultimate beauty of the hanging sculptures in the holy place Outside the hall, snow flutters and wraps everything in white, while inside, the brilliance is overwhelming Xixian County's Xiaoxitian is also one of the filming locations for the game Black Myth: Wukong. Compared to the game graphics, walking into the great hall in reality gives a greater sense of oppression, making one look up in awe at the layers upon layers of hanging sculptures, with endless details to see. The trip to Xiaoxitian in Linfen Xiaoxitian, also known as 'Thousand Buddha Hermitage', was founded by the Zen master Dongming in 1629. The temple is built on the summit of Phoenix Mountain in Xixian County, Linfen, known for its exquisite and unique charm. Like a flat boat cutting through the white waves, it comes gently, and inadvertently embodies the Buddhist sentiment of 'Mercy Ferrying All'. The hanging sculptures in the Mahavira Hall are hailed as the 'ultimate chant of hanging sculptures' in the history of Chinese sculpture art. Entering the hall is like seeing: The Western Paradise descending to the earthly realm The hall is full of clay sculptures of pavilions, divine towers, and Buddha niches, Rare birds and beasts, bodhisattvas and deities, flying apsaras and musicians, etc. Gilded and colorful, resplendent with gold and jade, Presenting a captivating scene of a fairy palace and Buddha land 🚗Transportation: 1️⃣A common problem with tourist spots in Shanxi: they are scattered and far. Xixian County's Xiaoxitian is a 2.5-3 hour drive from Linfen city center one way. Public transportation can be booked in advance with 'Little Yellow Car' for a round trip, with a one-way fare of 35 yuan. The earliest departure time is usually at 6:30 am, and they pick up from hotels, so the timing is not fixed. Book the return trip one hour in advance. I originally wanted to take a special Qiu public bus for a one-day trip to Xiaoxitian + Guangsheng Temple, but I was told that due to snow in the previous days, the earliest departure time was adjusted to 8:30. To save time, I had to hire a private car. 2️⃣Xiaoxitian faces west and east, so the morning sunlight shines into the Mahavira Hall, providing better lighting. 3️⃣The ticket price is 35 yuan, but if booked a day in advance on the platform, it's 28 yuan. 4️⃣Xiaoxitian is in the mountains, with a temperature difference of 8-10 degrees from Linfen city center. Dress for around 0 degrees based on Linfen city center before departure. When I got to the foot of the mountain, the driver told me it was minus ten degrees outside, and I was so cold that I jumped around and only stayed for 1 hour (I had enough time, and I watched alone in the Mahavira Hall for almost 30 minutes). 5️⃣The staircase from the foot of the mountain to the top is not long, and it only takes a few minutes to climb up.

halcyon_2233

Xixian has a 'Little Western Heaven'| It's so beautiful when you get to Zhitian Palace!

| It's so beautiful when you get to Zhitian Palace!. Little Western Heaven, also known as Qianfo Temple, is located about a mile west of Xixian city on the top of Phoenix Mountain. It is a Buddhist Zen temple founded by Dongming Zen Master in the second year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty. Initially named for the thousand Buddha statues in the Daxiong Treasure Hall, it was later renamed 'Little Western Heaven' to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty temple, 'Great Western Heaven', in the south of the city. The temple is built in layers according to the mountain, with rich and elegant beam paintings, which are quite distinctive and can be called the 'hanging sculpture masterpiece' in the history of Chinese sculpture art. In addition, the rare official version of the 'Ming Yongle Northern Collection' preserved in the temple has become a rare treasure for studying Chinese Buddhist history, sutra history, ethics and even folklore. The Little Western Heaven on the top of Phoenix Mountain is arranged according to the terrain. The Guanyin Pavilion on the top of Gutong Peak is built on the wind head, the lower courtyard is the wind back, and the mountain wings on both sides of the ditch are like the wings of a phoenix. The Daxiong Treasure Hall in the upper courtyard is built against the mountain and echoes the Moyun Pavilion at the east end, which is the wind tail. Looking far away, it looks like a phoenix looking down. Little Western Heaven is divided into upper and lower courtyards, which are self-contained and integrated. The lower courtyard has a beamless hall facing west and east, which is the Zen hall where monks chant sutras. In the hall, there are wooden pavilions and dozens of bronze Buddha statues. The Weituo Hall and the Wuliang Hall are opposite each other across the courtyard. The Weituo statue in the hall is carved from a whole piece of nanmu, with a majestic face and exquisite carving craftsmanship. The north room is a sutra house, which houses a good edition of the Ming Wanli sutra, well preserved, with a total of 7310 volumes, which has high academic and research value. The real value of Little Western Heaven lies in the intact hanging sculpture art preserved in the Daxiong Treasure Hall. Most of the hanging sculptures in the Daxiong Treasure Hall were painted between the 17th year of Ming Chongzhen (1644) and the 13th year of Qing Shunzhi (1656). The hanging sculptures in the hall are colorful, exquisite and moving, and have been dust-free for more than 300 years, as intact as new. The hall is full of colored sculptures. In addition to the 5 main statues above the Buddha altar, the walls, beams and even the roof beams are all painted with thousands of colored sculptures. These colored sculptures have different postures and vivid shapes, and are placed in the halls and pavilions of the Thousand Buddha Kingdom. The tallest ones are more than 3 meters high, and the smallest ones are only the size of a thumb, complex but not messy, scattered but not chaotic, and orderly express the world of Buddhism. The colored paintings in the beam frame of the Daxiong Treasure Hall are even more precious. They are made of gold-plated plaster, similar to the dragon and phoenix and seal colored paintings of the court. This form of colored painting belongs to the highest level of Ming and Qing architectural colored paintings, and is a colored painting exclusively used by the royal family. Because of its high level and high cost, the physical preservation is very rare.

Penelope.Ward.25

Xixian Xiaoxitian - The earthly reappearance of the fairy palace in the Buddha country

Located in Xixian, Shanxi, Xiaoxitian, also known as Qianfo Temple, is situated on the west side of the Purple River, high on the Phoenix Mountain, only one kilometer away from Xixian County, maintaining a just right distance from the world, overlooking the hustle and bustle of the world. The entire temple is small and exquisite, shaped like a boat, implying the meaning of universal salvation.

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"East and West are not separated by a speck of dust, the world and heaven are magnificent"

The Western Pure Land and Paradise depicted here can satisfy everyone's imagination and exceed everyone's imagination. In front of this world, looking up, longing, contemplating, rejoicing, sorrow... Only Xi County Thousand Buddha Nunnery, also known as Little Western Heaven, was founded by Zen Master Dongming during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. The full hall of Ming and Qing Dynasty hanging sculptures in the Daxiong Treasure Hall is famous and is known as the "Hanging Sculpture Finale" in the history of Chinese sculpture art. Little Western Heaven is built on a boat-shaped loess ridge, implying the meaning of "Merciful Ferry to Salvation". The buildings in the nunnery are built according to the mountain, breaking the traditional central axis symmetrical layout, winding and scattered in the square inches of the loess ridge, "adapted to use, formed by the environment". Hanging sculpture refers to clay sculptures hanging on the wall. The hanging sculptures of Little Western Heaven were completed in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and are rare masterpieces of full-hall gilded hanging sculptures in China. In the Daxiong Treasure Hall of less than 170 square meters, there are nearly 2,000 colored sculptures, ranging from 3 meters high to the size of a thumb. These colored sculptures not only cover the front and gable of the hall, but also rely on beams and columns, either hanging or winding, walking in the air, layer upon layer, forming a Buddhist world, giving people a strong visual impact. The front of the hall from left to right are the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Vairocana Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, sitting cross-legged on the lotus platform, each holding different handprints. There are two attendant Bodhisattvas on each side of the five Buddhas. The ten disciples of Buddha such as Mahakasyapa stand on the left and right gables. Behind them, six novice monks with different postures and expressions stick out from the half-hidden door, lifelike. Above the front wall and the gable, there are stories of Buddha and his previous lives. White cranes, Dapeng, peacocks, and parrots fly among the pavilions. The Four Heavenly Kings, Eight Great Vajras, and Twelve Music Bodhisattvas are lifelike and seem to come alive. Between the purlins and columns, various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajra warriors, and music apsaras stand on the swirling clouds, lifelike. It is a scene of the Western Paradise. The whole hall of colored sculptures absorbs the coloring techniques of traditional Chinese painting in ancient China, combines sculpting and painting, applies strong colors to the works, and outlines the details of the clothing with silver and gold, making the entire Daxiong Treasure Hall colorful but not vulgar, and magnificent but not empty and earthy. Mr. Zhao Puchu, the former president of the China Buddhist Association, called it: "East and West are not separated by a speck of dust, the world and heaven are magnificent".

MOSES OBRIEN

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