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2024 Xinjiang Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
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Temple recommendations.
A small temple in a small alley in Xinjiang, Yuncheng, which looks very inconspicuous, is actually a national treasure from the Yuan Dynasty!
The Sanguan Temple was built in the first year of the Zhizheng period of the Yuan Dynasty (1341), and was rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It used to be called the Gourd Temple, but unfortunately, the big stone gourd in front of the door has been destroyed. Does this remind you of anything? The staff said that this is the prototype of the Gourd Temple in "Dream of the Red Chamber".
The two clay sculptures on the left side of the entrance are so damaged that they are unrecognizable (Figure 8), but they are a bit cute and adorable. In fact, two of the statues in the hall are replicas of their original appearance. Do you think they look a bit like they used to?
There are also many exquisite Yuan Dynasty clay sculptures in the hall. The faces of the main sculptures of the "Heaven, Earth, and Water" statues have been restored, but due to poor craftsmanship, they appear stiff and clumsy. On the contrary, several small statues may not have been restored because they were not valued, and they retain their original charm and are very vivid. The folds and sleeves of the painted sculptures are beautiful, and the luster of the mineral pigments can still be faintly seen, which is incomparable to chemical pigments.
Address: Sanguan Temple, Xinjiang, Yuncheng, Shanxi
It just opened on May 1 this year, so don't miss it!
You can take photos, but don't use the flash.
2024 Yuncheng Tour: Longxing Temple and Confucian Temple in Xinjiang County.
Longxing Temple (Photos 1–10) is not far from the Jangzhou Office and the Catholic Church. It was built in the Tang Dynasty and was originally called Biluo Temple. Zhao Kuangyin, the first emperor of the Song Dynasty, once lived here and renamed it Longxing Temple. It is a national protected site and the Yuncheng Annual Tourism Pass is accepted. Main attractions include:
Biluo Stele (Photo 3), a Tang Dynasty stele with unique calligraphy, a national first-class cultural relic and calligraphy treasure.
Yuan Dynasty painted sculptures in the Mahavira Hall (Photo 5).
Longxing Pagoda (Photo 7), a landmark of Jangzhou, also known as "Jangzhou Pagoda," was built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. You can climb the pagoda for a distant view. Each floor has a four-character inscription.
Song and Jin Dynasty brick-carved tombs (Photos 8–10), moved from elsewhere, two in total, small and exquisite, with a separate charge of CNY 5, and an old man as a part-time guide. There are two "Women Opening the Door" carvings, which are very interesting.
Jangzhou Confucian Temple (Photos 11–17), a national protected site and the Yuncheng Annual Tourism Pass is accepted. The existing main buildings are relics of the Ming Dynasty. The glazed brick carvings on the outer wall of the Dacheng Hall are very beautiful (Photo 17), but unfortunately, some are damaged.
Yuncheng 2024: Xinjiang Jiangzhou Office Catholic Church.
Although Xinjiang is a county, it has many ancient buildings and national treasures.
Jiangzhou Office Scenic Area is in the center of the county, and the scenic area is quite large, including the following parts:
Photos 1–5: Jiangzhou Three Towers, namely Le Tower (Photo 2), Drum Tower (Photo 3), and Bell Tower (Photo 4). Photo 5 is a photo of the three towers together. The Bell Tower requires a fee to enter.
Photo 6: City God Temple, a modern building.
Photo 7: The archway in front of Jiangzhou Office.
Photos 8–14: Jiangzhou Office, a national treasure, and the Yuncheng Tourism Annual Pass can be used. Among them, Jiangzhou Hall (Photo 10) is a Yuan Dynasty building and is the largest state office hall in China. The column base (Photo 12) is a Tang Dynasty relic.
Photos 15–18: Jiangshouju Garden, the back garden of the state office, is the only existing Sui Dynasty garden in China. Photo 15 is the door from Jiangzhou Office to Jiangshouju Garden. It was originally a painting of a tiger and leopard, but now the painting is gone and replaced with a stone carving.
Photos 19–20: Xinjiang Catholic Church. Built in 1937, it is the first Catholic church in Shanxi. It is a 10-minute walk from the north gate of Jiangshouju Garden. The highlight is the combination of Chinese and Western styles, as it is both a Gothic building and has a Chinese-style roof.
Fusheng Temple in Xinjiang, Yuncheng, 2024.
Fusheng Temple is located in Guangcun, northwest of Xinjiang County, Yuncheng. It was built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing buildings are from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. It is a national protected site and free to visit.
The most interesting part of Fusheng Temple is the sculptures in the Amitabha Hall. The front is the Three Saints of the West (Figure 9), a Yuan Dynasty statue. The Four Heavenly Kings and Eighteen Arhats (Figures 10 and 11) on both sides are from the Ming Dynasty. The most exquisite are the Guanyin of the South Sea, Ming Kings, and children on the back (Figures 1, 12–16), all from the Yuan Dynasty. Especially Guanyin, which can be compared with the seated Guanyin in Longxing Temple in Zhengding.
The first floor of the rear hall (Figure 17) is the Three Buddha Cave, which also has Ming Dynasty Buddha sculptures, but unfortunately, it is not open due to maintenance.
Shanxi Travel | Fusheng Temple.
Fusheng Temple in Yuncheng, Shanxi, is home to the most beautiful Guanyin of a thousand years, as well as the prototype of the Ming King in the Black Wukong game.
Located in Guangcun Village, Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it is a historic Buddhist temple that dates back to the Tian Tong period of the Northern Qi Dynasty. It was built by the order of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty and was named "Fusheng Temple" in the third year of the Dading period of the Jin Dynasty. It was rebuilt and expanded during the Song and Yuan Dynasties and later, witnessing the prosperity and inheritance of Buddhist culture.
The temple is rigorously laid out, facing south. The buildings along the central axis include the Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Amitabha Hall, the Three Buddha Caves, and the Sutra Library, while the Bell and Drum Towers, the Three Saints Hall, the East and West Side Rooms, and the Side Rooms are located on both sides.
Unbelievable! This city-level cultural relic in Shanxi is as stunning as a national-level one.
In Shanxi, I thought the national key cultural relics protection units were enough to amaze me. However, a city-level cultural relic protection unit hidden in the soil cliff, Huguo Shanqing Temple, shocked me again.
Huguo Shanqing Temple is located in Xiguan Village, Chengguan Town, Xinjiang County. Its history can be traced back to the 34th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1606 AD). At that time, it was built by imperial edict and was rebuilt during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. However, in 1958, most of the temple was demolished due to the construction of the Houxi Railway. During the turbulent years of 1966, it suffered severe looting, and none of the statues in the temple were spared.
Despite this, the existing suspended gold dragon reliefs on the golden pillars in the main hall have shown extraordinary vitality with their enduring colors and exquisite craftsmanship. These golden dragons seem to be flying in the air, vivid and lifelike, with bright colors and exquisite details, making them the most beautiful works among the coiled dragons. They are not only breathtaking but also perfectly embody the four words "small, delicate, exquisite, and unique," making people admire the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients.
Fusheng Temple, Yuncheng, Shanxi | Have you completed "Black Myth: Wukong"?
🏰🌳 Introduction
Fusheng Temple, a hidden gem in Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, is not only a national key cultural relic protection unit, but also a popular check-in spot due to the popularity of the game "Black Myth: Wukong." 🔥🐒
Location
Located in Guangcun, 17 km northwest of Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it is easily accessible by car from Xinjiang County.
Opening Hours
Open from 8:00 to 18:00. It is recommended to set off early to avoid missing the wonderful attractions.
Main Attractions 🌟
1. Amitabha Hall: The essence of Yuan Dynasty architecture, with Yuan Dynasty colored sculptures, including Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, as well as the Four Heavenly Kings and Eighteen Arhats added in the Ming Dynasty.
2. Guanyin Crossing the Sea: Known as "China's Most Beautiful Bodhisattva," its hanging sculpture group is exquisite and visually impactful.
3. Three Buddha Cave: Located on the lower level of the Sutra Pavilion, it houses the Three Buddhas (Shakyamuni, Dipankara, Amitabha) and attendant Bodhisattvas, all Ming Dynasty works.
Travel Tips 💡
- Clothing: Comfortable shoes are recommended as walking is required.
- Photography: A paradise for photography enthusiasts, but please note that flash may not be allowed in some areas.
- Cultural Experience: Learning some Buddhist culture in advance will enhance your visit.
- Protect Cultural Relics: Please follow the rules, do not touch the relics, and help protect these valuable cultural heritages.
Conclusion
Fusheng Temple is not just a simple trip, but a cultural journey through time and space. 🌌🌉 Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or religious culture, you will leave with a full heart. Come to Fusheng Temple and start your exploration journey! 🏃♂️💨
Transportation 🚗
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Fusheng Temple, Guangcun, Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province." There is a parking lot in front of the temple.
- Bus: Take a bus from Xinjiang County to Guangcun, and walk to the destination after getting off. 📍🌟
Shanxi - Fusheng Temple
Fusheng Temple is located in Guang Village, Zezhang Town, Xinjiang County, a national historical and cultural village. It was first built during the Tang Dynasty and was ordered to be built by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. It was later named Fusheng Temple in the third year of the Jin Dynasty. The buildings on the central axis, such as the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Amitabha Hall, and the rear hall, form a four-entry courtyard, especially the hanging sculptures in the Amitabha Hall, which are even more breathtaking.
Recommended index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📍Address: Guang Village, Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province.
🚌Transportation: It is recommended to drive or charter a car.
💸Tickets: Free, no need to make an appointment in advance.
⏰Opening hours: 08:00-17:30, it is recommended to visit for 1-2 hours.
Isabella7 Thompson - Izzy Not Europe! 16 National Protected Sites, This Little-Known Shanxi City ||.
||。Not Europe! 16 National Protected Sites, This Little-Known Shanxi City ||
After the popularity of Black Myth: Wukong, many hidden gems in Shanxi should be discovered, and "Xinjiang, Yuncheng" is one of them.
It was once the capital of the Jin State and one of the six historical and cultural cities in Shanxi (the other five are Datong, Pingyao, Daixian, Qixian, and Taiyuan). The first Gothic Catholic Church in Shanxi and one of the four major Gothic Catholic Churches in China is located here. You can easily walk around the county town and see all the essence of ancient architecture. There are also some surprises nearby, such as the only agricultural mural in China at Jikui Temple and the most beautiful Guanyin statue at Fusheng Temple.
🗺 City Walk, about 4 kilometers, walking tour takes about 4 hours
Longxing Temple➠Xinjiang Catholic Church➠Jiangzhou Hall➠Jiangzhou Three Floors➠Three Officials Temple➠Jiangzhou Confucian Temple➠Longxing Temple
❶Longxing Temple
The landmark building of Xinjiang, built in the Tang Dynasty, has left many national treasures after several dynasties. The Bi Luo Stele, Yuan Dynasty statues, and the Longxing Temple Pagoda rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty are the three highlights of Longxing Temple. There are also two relocated brick-carved tombs and a 10 yuan entrance fee.
❷Xinjiang Catholic Church
Xinjiang is the earliest place in Shanxi where Catholicism was introduced, dating back to 1620. The contrasting Chinese-style building next to the church is the former Ming Palace. You can visit during daily mass.
❸Jiangzhou Hall
The use of column reduction and relocation techniques makes the hall very spacious and bright. Archaeological discoveries in front of the hall reveal cultural layers from the Tang Dynasty onwards, covered with tempered glass. The rough pillars and ruins of the Yuan Dynasty echo with modern technology, which is very interesting. The newly built City God Temple is next door.
❹Jiangzhou Three Floors
The Drum Tower, Bell Tower, and Music Tower are located on a slope next to Jiangzhou Hall. This area is being planned as the new ancient city of Xinjiang. It is less crowded and more pleasant on non-holidays.
❺Three Officials Temple
Cao Xueqin once lived in Xinjiang. The Three Officials Temple is believed to be the prototype of the Gourd Temple in Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber. The ancient building houses 14 Yuan Dynasty polychrome sculptures. It was once closed to the public, but is now open again!
❻Jiangzhou Confucian Temple
The double-eaved hip-and-gable roofed Dacheng Hall is very beautiful. Here, you have walked through the ancient architectural remains of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism in Xinjiang.
🗺 Nearby Highlights
Fusheng Temple: Admire a beautiful collection of Yuan and Ming polychrome sculptures, including the most beautiful Guanyin statue, the dynamic Ming King, and the graceful Bodhisattva attendants.
Jikui Temple: Here is the only known agricultural mural in China, showing a farmer subduing a locust spirit as tall as a man. Unfortunately, Jikui Temple is closed after being open for seven days during National Day. It is currently under construction and will soon be open again.
🔖 Practical Tips
🍁 Autumn is the best season to travel to Xinjiang. The weather is clear, and you can easily take photos of Longxing Temple Pagoda and the Catholic Church together. I recommend having a hot pot in Xinjiang after a day of travel, it's so comfortable!
🚄 Take a high-speed train from Yuncheng North Station to Houma West Station, and transfer to bus No. 36 to reach Xinjiang.
"Mythological Journey" at YunCheng FuSheng Temple | Explore the Inspiration for "Black Myth: Wukong".
🏯Located in YunCheng, Shanxi Province, China, FuSheng Temple is a historic Buddhist temple and the inspiration for the online game "Black Myth: Wukong". Want to take a trip to learn about Buddhist culture and mythology? This FuSheng Temple travel guide will provide you with detailed information!🌊🌟
📍📍【Step 1: How to Get There】📍📍
🛫From YunCheng city center, you can choose to drive yourself, take public transportation, or take a taxi to FuSheng Temple. Driving and taking public transportation both require a longer travel time, while taking a taxi offers a more convenient service.🚗🛳️
🌺🌺【Step 2: Visiting FuSheng Temple】🌺🌺
📸FuSheng Temple has a wealth of Buddhist culture and mythological landscapes. You can stroll through the temple, admiring its exquisite Buddhist architecture and surrounding scenery. You can also visit the temple's Buddha statues and murals to learn about Buddhist culture and the story of "Black Myth: Wukong".🏞️📸
🌿🌿【Step 3: Buddhist Culture】🌿🌿
🏮FuSheng Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with many ancient Buddha statues, murals, and Buddhist relics. Visit these relics to learn about Buddhist culture and faith.🏛️📚
🍽️🍽️【Step 4: Tasting Local Cuisine】🍽️🍽️
🍴Near FuSheng Temple, there are many local specialties, such as Shanxi noodles and Buddhist vegetarian dishes. Try the local specialties to experience Shanxi's culinary culture.🍹🥘
🛏️🛏️【Step 5: Accommodation Recommendations】🛏️🛏️
🏨Near FuSheng Temple, there are many hotels and guesthouses offering comfortable accommodation. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season.🌙🏞️
🌟🌟【Conclusion】🌟🌟
🏯FuSheng Temple is a mythical place in YunCheng. Its culture and beauty will surely leave a deep impression on you. We hope this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip to FuSheng Temple.🛫🌍
Yuncheng Xinjiang Millennium Ancient Tower｜The smoke from the top of the tower has become a mystery for thousands of years! .
If you come to the small town of Xinjiang, walking on the bustling county center street, looking far away, the first thing that comes into your eyes is the Longxing Pagoda standing on the towering high wall!
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Longxing Pagoda, also known as "Jiangzhou Pagoda", is located behind Longxing Temple on the high cliff at the end of North Street in Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City. It is a landmark building of Jiangzhou Ancient City! This tower was built in the Tang Dynasty, originally eight levels high. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, due to the collapse of the old age, the outer skin was re-wrapped and the height was increased to the current thirteen levels. The tower is octagonal and about 40 meters high!
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What is even more amazing and puzzling is that there is a thousand-year-old mystery of "smoke from the top of the tower" around this ancient tower. According to records, the tower has appeared 6 times in history. The phenomenon of "smoking" is recorded in the "Reconstruction of Xinjiang Longxing Temple Stele" in the temple: "Guangxu Yihai (1875 AD), the top of the tower smokes, and it is unanimously agreed that Qingyun goes straight up." Since entering modern times, this phenomenon has not stopped. In 1937, 1971, and 1976, the most recent one was in 1993 and lasted for several days. There were tens of thousands of viewers (see the last picture)! What the hell is going on? There are different opinions. Some people say it is smoke, and some people say it is a group of small insects. Someone once climbed to the top of the tower to observe the reason but it was unsuccessful! This mystery that has been shrouded in people's hearts for thousands of years has not yet been solved!
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The legend of the legend gives the millennium pagoda a mysterious color, so over the past thousands of years, there have been many tourists and incense guests and explorers, and it has also become a unique talk after the small town of Xinjiang tea and dinner! So why don't you come and find out! I believe that if this phenomenon is encountered again now, the mystery will be revealed soon💪
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PS: This is still a rare ancient tower that can be ascended! You can even explore the outside of the tower and overlook the panoramic view of Jiangzhou Ancient City
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📝Xinjiang Jiangzhou Ancient City Visiting Ancient Route Recommendation:
Jiangzhou Sanlou (Le Tower, Drum Tower, Bell Tower)➡️Xinjiang Chenghuang Temple➡️Jiangzhou Shu (Jiangzhou Hall, Jiangshou Juyuan Pond)➡️Xinjiang Cathedral➡️Longxing Temple➡️Sanguan Temple➡️Xinjiang Confucian Temple
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———𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒———
🚗Yuncheng to Xinjiang self-driving 1.5 hours
🚄The nearest high-speed rail station in Xinjiang is Houma West Station, 25 minutes from Yuncheng
🚌Houma West Station Bus 36 Road to Xinjiang, recommended taxi 25 yuan
🏃🏻The distances between various attractions in Xinjiang Ancient City are relatively close🉑️citywalk
🎫Longxing Temple is free, and the tower is 5 yuan
🥢Come to Xinjiang, you must have a Jiangzhou hot pot
Fusheng Temple in Xinjiang, Shanxi Province, follow the Monkey King in the Black Myth to explore ancient architecture.
Fusheng Temple is located in Guangcun, a historical and cultural village in Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. It was founded in the Tang Dynasty and was rebuilt in the 11th year of the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty.
Fusheng Temple covers an area of 5,000 square meters and is arranged along a central axis. It has well-preserved mountain gates, Heavenly King Hall, Amitabha Hall, Three Buddha Cave, and Sutra Depository. In particular, the Amitabha Hall, Sutra Depository, and Three Buddha Cave are relics from the Yuan Dynasty. The other buildings are also Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings with a history of hundreds of years.
Heavenly King Hall
It is three rooms wide and has a single-eave hip and gable roof.
Amitabha Hall
It is the main hall of the temple. The exquisite double-eave hip and gable roof is a relic from the Yuan Dynasty. The hall enshrines the "Three Saints of the West", but the most famous is the suspended Guanyin crossing the sea on the back, which is known as the "most beautiful Guanyin in China".
Transportation: Xinjiang Bus No. 12, get off at Guangcun Station, fare: CNY 5, about 40 minutes per bus
Admission: Free
The hall houses 15 colored sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty, which are of great historical and artistic value.
San Guan Temple, also known as Gourd Temple, is located at the west entrance of Hanjia Lane, Xinjiang County, Shanxi Province. It was built in the first year of the Yuan Dynasty (1341) and is a temple dedicated to the Taoist Three Pure Ones. The existing buildings include the Xian Hall and the Main Hall, both of which were built in the Yuan Dynasty. The Xian Hall is one room wide and two rooms deep, with a cross-hipped roof and six wooden doors on the front. The main hall is two rooms wide and three rooms deep, with four single eaves and a hanging mountain roof. The hall houses 15 colored sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty, which are of great historical and artistic value. On June 25, 2006, San Guan Temple was listed as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Sanguan Temple/Hulu Temple, did Cao Xueqin ever come here?
Sanguan Temple, commonly known as Hulu Temple. I don't know if Cao Xueqin ever came here, and Jia Yucun lived in Hulu Temple. Hulu Temple has no Hulu monks, but two or three enthusiastic cultural protection sisters.
📸Sanguan Temple
Wooden structure·Only the Xian Hall and the main hall are left, built in the Yuan Dynasty, the Xian Hall has a cross-hipped roof, and the main hall has a single-eave overhanging gable roof, and the two mountains are five-flower gable walls.
Statue·The Xian Hall displays the statues damaged by the heavy rain in Shanxi in August 2022. I don't know how many cultural relics didn't survive at that time. The main hall has two 1:1 restored statues. I wonder if you can tell which one is the restored one?
Eleven colored clay sculptures of gods, maids, etc., with fat bodies, short proportions, and slightly confused expressions.
Tickets🎫: Free
Transportation🚌: Xinjiang County has a train station, with few trains, the neighboring city Houma high-speed rail is very convenient, and there are many public buses in the two places
Nearby ancient buildings🐝: Jiangzhou Shu Scenic Area, Longxing Temple, within walking distance
✍🏻️Off-topic
Starting from the Hanging Temple, there is a question: Why do the eyes of Taoist gods and immortals look up? It is completely opposite to Buddhism's looking down at all beings.
Small Town Slow Tour｜Everything is Free, Shanxi is So Friendly to Destiny People!
Passing through Xinjiang County in Yuncheng, Shanxi, we stopped by Fusheng Temple, the filming location of Black Myth. Unexpectedly, we received all kinds of unexpected benefits: free tickets, free guides, free cultural and creative prints, can you believe it?! I have to admit, Shanxi is too friendly to destiny people!
👉 Fusheng Temple
The entrance is low-key and unremarkable, but inside the temple hides the legendary most beautiful Guanyin statue. The entire wall is a relief sculpture themed on the Sea-Crossing Guanyin, and the Ming King from Black Myth is wielding a sword right next to Guanyin. Who says you can only see relief sculptures in Xiaoxitian of Xixian? The relief sculptures in Fusheng Temple are completely beautiful and unique in style!
You think visiting Fusheng Temple is all there is in the small town of Xinjiang County? Jiangzhou Grand Hall/Jiyi Temple/Baitai Temple/Longxiang Guan Emperor Temple/Qiaogoutou Jade Emperor Temple/Sanguan Temple/Xinjiang Longxing Temple/Beichi Ji King Temple/Jiangzhou Confucian Temple/Quanzhang Guan Emperor Temple/Shousheng Temple are all national protected cultural relics. The 1.5 days we reserved were not enough to see these dozen ancient buildings, so we can only leave it for next time~
🥢 Xinsheng Noodle House
The carb lovers are completely controlled by Shanxi's noodle houses. A large portion of stir-fried knife-cut noodles costs only 11 yuan, and the portion is astonishingly large. Two people can barely finish it by sharing!
Exploring Ancient Temples | The Millennium Dream of Baitai Temple
| The Millennium Dream of Baitai Temple. 🌿🏰 Exploring Ancient Temples | The Millennium Dream of Baitai Temple 🌿🏰
🌟 Recommended Rating: ★★★★☆
🎟️ Ticket: Free, no need for complicated introduction letters, just go!
🕒 Tour Duration: About 1 hour, perfect for your leisurely afternoon
🕗 Opening Hours: From 8 AM to 5 PM, capture the most beautiful light and shadow of the ancient temple
🚗 Transportation: Self-drive or charter, making the journey more free and easy
🌾 Hidden in the fields is a thousand-year-old temple that has weathered the vicissitudes of time—Baitai Temple. It is located on a high platform of earth mounds, surrounded by endless crops, as if telling endless stories.
🔥 Must-see Highlights:
1️⃣ Three Drips Water Fajang Pavilion: As soon as you enter, you are greeted by this magnificent building. Built in the Jin Dynasty and renovated in the Yuan Dynasty, it is built against the earth cliff, with three layers of dripping eaves and two stories high. The design of the hanging mountain top makes one marvel at its exquisite structure.
🌧️ On rainy days, every drop of water looks particularly charming. Standing on the second floor, looking out at the countryside, the tranquility and beauty are simply beyond words.
Inside the pavilion, there are three clay-colored Buddha statues enshrined, with the Medicine Buddha in the center, the Sunlight Bodhisattva and the Moonlight Bodhisattva on either side. Each statue has plump skin and beautiful shapes, making them excellent works of Yuan Dynasty sculpture.
2️⃣ Shakyamuni Hall: Rebuilt during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty, it has a single eave hip roof and brick carved ridge decorations, simple and solemn.
3️⃣ Amitabha Hall (Rear Main Hall): Rebuilt in the 15th year of Zhizheng in the Yuan Dynasty (1355), it has a single eave hanging mountain roof, simple dougong brackets, and an ancient charm.
🌳 On the large moon platform in front of the main hall, there used to be three octagonal scripture pillars from the Song Dynasty. Now, only the bases of the pillars can be seen. The Tang Dynasty statue relic pagoda has also disappeared, which is regrettable.
On both sides of the moon platform, there are two thousand-year-old ancient Tang locust trees. Although they have weathered the storms, they are still lush and full of vitality.
⚠️ Theft History: Baitai Temple was robbed in 1993, 1994, and 2002. The most serious incident was in 2002 when precious cultural relics were plundered and have not been recovered to this day. This is a painful part of its history.
📸 Come and capture this unique historical charm, and let the millennium story of Baitai Temple shine again through your lens!
Wula Ancient Sites | Xinjiang · Longxing Temple's Three Wonders: 5 Yuan to Climb the Tang Tower
| Xinjiang · Longxing Temple's Three Wonders: 5 Yuan to Climb the Tang Tower. Longxing Temple is probably the most famous attraction in Xinjiang County. After getting off the bus, I found that the square in the scenic area was under construction, but the old problem remained: it was rather rustic and had not formed a good synergy.
Observations:
There are three highlights and wonderful experiences in Longxing Temple. This article first writes about one of them, which is climbing the Tang Tower for 5 yuan!
Longxing Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty and was originally named Biluo Temple. In the first year of Emperor Gaozong of Tang's Xianheng period (670 AD), it was renamed Longxing Temple. During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin stayed here, converted the temple into a palace, and later the monks occupied it and restored the name Longxing Temple.
Passing through the Mahavira Hall is the Longxing Temple Tower. From outside the scenic area, you can also see the Longxing Temple Tower standing like a crown on top of the hall, towering into the clouds. The Longxing Temple Tower faces south, was built in the Tang Dynasty, and originally had eight levels.
The existing tower body was rebuilt after it collapsed in the 49th year of Qianlong (1784), covered with blue bricks, and increased to 13 levels, with a height of 42.4 meters. The plan is octagonal, with each side 4.3 meters long, and it is a pavilion-style brick tower. The temple preserves three stele inscriptions from the 47th year of Kangxi (1708) and the Republic of China period, and one stone pillar.
There is also the spectacle of the tower emitting blue smoke. According to the 1941 'Reconstruction of Xinjiang Longxing Temple Stele Inscription,' in the first year of Guangxu (1875), 'the top of the tower emitted smoke, and the blue clouds rose straight up, which was a sign of success in the imperial examinations.'
There are very few ancient towers in China that you can climb, and even fewer Tang towers. But in Longxing Temple, you only need to spend 5 yuan to climb this ancient tower.
The inside of the tower is very cool and dark. Each level requires both hands and feet to climb. Carrying two cameras and a large bag made it extremely difficult for me. I was already sweating profusely after climbing just three levels. Fortunately, the scenery on each level is very good, and the experience of curling up to climb the tower is unique!
Travel Tips:
Transportation: Located in the center of Xinjiang County, you can take a bus or taxi. Nearby are the Xinjiang Catholic Church, Jiangzhou Hall, and Sanlou, which can all be visited in one trip.
Tickets: Full price ticket 18 yuan, climbing the tower costs 5 yuan
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00
Ji Yi Temple | The persimmons must be soft and squishy, not the old and unbroken production team
A twenty yuan entrance fee per person is neither expensive nor standard. The temple is guarded by an elderly man with the surname Yang, who appears to be in his sixties or seventies and has lived alone in a bungalow on the west side of the temple for years, which is about seven or eight square meters in size. According to his own account, he took over from his father, and both have spent their lives protecting this place.
Inside the hall, there is a hand-drawn floor plan of Ji Yi Temple from 2017, with the planner 'Yang Weijun' being the father of the temple guardian. The original mountain gate and the standing statues on both sides were destroyed during the sixties and seventies. To the south of the mountain gate, there is a screen wall and an ancient cypress tree that is a thousand years old, which was cut down by the local ironwood industry and made into dozens of coffins to sell. To the north, there is an offering hall that was also destroyed during the sixties and seventies, and it is unknown which unit was responsible or who led the destruction. Now only the platform base and a few stone steles remain. After just a few decades, without the protection of the offering hall, the inscriptions have become blurred and there are no protective measures.
The main hall originally had colorful statues, which were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, but the building was spared because it was used as a warehouse by the supply and marketing cooperative. Salt bags were piled up against the wall with murals, and the bottom of the murals was eroded by the salt. On the east and west sides of the main hall, there were originally the Holy Mother Shrine and the Guan Di Temple, which were occupied by the village hospital and the credit cooperative, respectively. In the eighties and nineties, they were demolished to build a movie theater, which showed a few movies and then was abandoned. What remains is a Yuan Dynasty stage with five bays, which escaped destruction because it was useful for holding village meetings.
Today, the south side of Ji Yi Temple is the local government compound.
In Shanxi, the protective measures for murals vary from place to place. It is understandable that photography is not allowed, but when a study tour group of more than a dozen people, each holding a cold light lamp, takes turns photographing, it is us individual visitors who become the soft persimmons. Since we're here, we might as well bask in the light of others, since there are no picture albums for sale to us wild visitors.
Murals, this traditional art form, are lessened with each viewing. It's hard to say how well they are protected in the almost free-range state of Ji Yi Temple. We are willing to pay Mr. Yang's fee, as it is at least more sustainable than no compensation at all.
Longxing Temple in Xinjiang| Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, once resided here
Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, once resided here. Longxing Temple houses three treasures: the Tang Dynasty calligraphic gem, the Biluo Stele; the Yuan Dynasty relic, the colorful sculptures in the Mahavira Hall; and the Longxing Temple Pagoda that frequently emits blue smoke.
Inside the Mahavira Hall, there are seven Song and Jin Dynasty colored sculptures. In the center is the Dharma Body Buddha 'Vairocana Buddha', to the east is the Reward Body Buddha 'Ratnasambhava Buddha', and to the west is the Response Body Buddha 'Sakyamuni Buddha'. On both sides of these three main Buddhas, there are also the four great Bodhisattvas: Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Ksitigarbha, and Avalokitesvara. The sculptures are 4.5 meters tall, with solemn faces, broad robes, and robust figures, very beautiful. Several statues in the hall have blackened faces, said to be because during the Republic of China period, local people lived here to avoid the chaos of war, and the smoke from heating and cooking gradually blackened the statues or covered them with a layer of ash.
The Longxing Pagoda, originally built during the Tang Dynasty and restored in the Qing Dynasty, is octagonal, thirteen levels high, and entirely constructed of green bricks. The rafters, columns, and dougong under each eave of the pagoda body are all imitation wood structures. Inside the pagoda is a wooden staircase, which is very narrow and can only accommodate one person at a time. The top of the pagoda is a viewing platform, which can also be described as an iron cage. The space outside the cage is narrow, but it overlooks the entire old town of Xinjiang. Climbing the pagoda costs only five yuan, and this thousand-year-old treasure should be cherished!
The Biluo Stele, with its small seal script, is graceful and unique in writing, with neat strokes and a strict layout. It is difficult for later generations to read and is a treasure in the history of Chinese calligraphy.
The national heritage site in Yuncheng that has been closed for over 20 years has finally opened
San Guan Temple in Shanxi Yuncheng has been closed for over 20 years, and it seems to have opened recently, but the map still shows it as (not open to the public). I went there directly and indeed was met with a closed door. During lunchtime, I called the temple keeper, and the auntie put down her chopsticks, rode over on her little electric scooter, and opened the door for us, even expressing her apologies. It feels like the attitude of temple keepers in Shanxi is getting better and better, Shanxi is mighty, Shanxi's culture and tourism are mighty...
What are the Three Officials?
Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, Water Official
Deities in Taoism
🏯 About San Guan Temple
There are two existing halls, the main hall and the offering hall, with inscriptions from the Yuan dynasty on the wooden pillars. Both the Ming and Qing dynasties have made repairs. The main hall worships the Three Officials, with colored sculptures of maids and courtiers on the side, and on both sides are the exaggerated facial expressions of Tian Peng and Tian You, Hei Sha and Zhen Wu, four marshals (feels like the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism), most of which are original colored sculptures from the Yuan dynasty. A lot of them have big mouths, isn't Tian Peng Marshal supposed to be Zhu Bajie? Why does he also have a Super Saiyan hairstyle...
The three main statues of San Guan Temple are absolutely stunning, the three brothers with expressionless faces and slightly dark complexions, exuding a bit of arrogance amidst their seriousness, their eyes looking upwards, not deigning to look directly at people... Probably because we mortals are not worthy...
The national heritage site that has been closed for over 20 years
I finally caught up with it‼️
After the May Day holiday, another Yuan Dynasty national heritage site in Shanxi was opened to the public
In an alley in Xinxing, Yuncheng, there is a small temple that doesn't look impressive at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a treasure trove of exquisite Yuan Dynasty clay sculptures.
Previously, it was not open to the public and was even used as a storefront by a hardware store. The Xieshan-style front hall, facing outward, is a beautifully crafted small building from the Qing Dynasty. In the corner of the hall stand two damaged clay sculptures with their features washed away, revealing the yellow clay underneath, yet they appear endearingly naive.
The main hall of the Yuan Dynasty, with its Xuan Shan style, is separated by a row of wooden doors, and its sunken design gives it an especially profound and mysterious feel. It enshrines the 'Heaven, Earth, Water' Three Officials, and even more impressive are the surrounding images of marshals such as Tian Peng, Tian You, Hei Sha, and Zhen Wu, with their hair standing on end and eyes wide open in anger, which are truly awe-inspiring.
The current status of the three most notable cultural heritage sites in Xinxing:
1. Xinxing Baitai Temple was officially opened to the public during this year's May Day holiday.
2. Fusheng Temple is undergoing major repairs and is expected to be completely open after the National Day holiday. The Guanyin crossing the sea is surrounded by scaffolding; it is visible but not accessible.
3. The Three Officials Temple has been orderly opened to the public after the May Day holiday.
The Chenghuang Temple complex in Xinjiang, Jincheng, which includes the three famous towers (Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Music Tower), is a historical and less-known tourist attraction
The three towers of Jincheng are very close to the Longxing Temple mentioned in the previous article, just a 3-minute drive away, so you can check them out together when visiting Xinjiang!
❤️ Admission: Both the three towers and the Chenghuang Temple are free, and there is a ticket for the Jincheng Prefecture Scenic Area behind them, which costs 20 yuan.
🧡 Parking: Free, just navigate to the Chenghuang Temple, where there is a visitor center for parking, which is very convenient.
💛 Suggested visiting time: 2 hours (mainly for photography)
👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 As you walk out of the parking lot, you can directly see Yapo, which is very photogenic, so make sure to take pictures here!!! The stones on the entire slope have a sense of age. Then, as you walk along, you will see the Music Tower, Bell Tower, and Chenghuang Temple in turn. It is recommended to visit the Chenghuang Temple first, and after coming out of the temple, go through the middle of the Drum Tower (the red one), and the Bell Tower is not far on the right. It was not open the day I visited, so I could only look at it from a distance; inside is a very large bell.
👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 At the parking lot, you can take a panoramic shot that includes all three towers in one frame! From left to right in p6 are: Bell Tower, Music Tower, Drum Tower.
👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 The entrance to the Jincheng Prefecture Scenic Area is on the left-hand side. I didn't go in this time due to time constraints, but I had visited the first time I came here. This scenic area is quite large; the front half is mainly the ruins of the government office, and the back half is a large garden.
💓 This place is not a famous tourist destination, and not many people come here specifically for tourism, but I have had a great experience both times I visited Xinjiang. The city is full of historical charm, and while it has developed modernly, it still retains the essence of the ancient city without being too commercialized, which I really like.
💓 Last year during the May Day holiday, there was a big stage set up at the Music Tower where they were performing operas, and many grandparents were sitting on Yapo watching the show. For a moment, I felt as if I had traveled back in time. Although it is an ancient relic and a tourist spot, the Music Tower still serves its original purpose, accompanying generations of people from Jincheng...
The Quanzhang Guandi Temple in Xinjiang, Shanxi
The Quanzhang Guandi Temple covers an area of 411.6 square meters, was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, and was renovated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Only the main hall of the Quanzhang Guandi Temple remains. The main hall is well-preserved, facing south with the back to the north, measuring 19.6 meters in length from east to west, and 21 meters in length from south to north, covering an area of 411.6 square meters. It is built on a brick and stone base that is 0.9 meters high, with five bays in both width and depth, and has a nearly square floor plan with a double-eaved hipped roof. The main body has three bays, surrounded by subsidiary steps. The upper eaves brackets are of a five-stepped double-lowered ang type, with the main bay featuring 45-degree slanting ang. The lower eaves brackets are of a three-stepped single-tilted heart-shaped design. Under the eaves of the main hall of the Quanzhang Guandi Temple, there are 20 coiled dragon stone columns, 11 of which are relief coiled dragon columns, and the other 9 are shallow flat-carved dragon columns, with all column heads featuring inverted-basin-style volutes. Uniquely, each column is adorned with dragons' claws grasping human heads, legs, fish, turtles, etc. In front of the hall, there are 11 Ming and Qing dynasty stone lions preserved. These are masterpieces of ancient Chinese stone carving art. The temple is a national key cultural relics protection unit.
Xinjiang Catholic Church in Shanxi
The Xinjiang Catholic Church is a large Catholic church located in Xinjiang County, Shanxi Province, China. It is the cathedral of the Xinjiang (Yuncheng) Diocese of the Catholic Church, located on the high cliff at the end of North Street in Xinjiang County. Xinjiang is the earliest place in Shanxi Province where Catholicism was introduced. In 1620 (the 48th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty), Italian priest Ai Rulue came to Jiangzhou and established the first Catholic church in Shanxi Province. In 1935, the Vatican announced the establishment of the Xinjiang Diocese, which is one of the 8 dioceses of the Catholic Church in Shanxi, governing the Catholic churches in the nearby 22 counties. In 1937, Dutch priest Kong Zhaoming built a large cathedral in Gothic architectural style here, which is one of the larger Gothic churches in China. It is one of the four major Gothic churches in China. It is a key cultural relics protection unit in Shanxi Province.
Baitai Temple in Xinjiang, Shanxi
Baitai Temple, also known as Puhua Temple, was established in an unknown year. The temple faces south from the north and covers an area of 6383 square meters. Baitai Temple is an early temple in the Hedong area. Emperor Wanyan Yong and Emperor Wanyan Jing of the Jin Dynasty had major renovations during the Dading and Mingchang periods (1161~1190). The Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties all had repairs. Most of the buildings in the temple were built during the Jin and Yuan periods. They have a long history and prominent early styles. In addition, there are statues from the Yuan and Ming periods, making it a rare and precious historical and cultural heritage protection unit. Baitai Temple is built on the middle plateau of the gully washed by rainwater. The central axis has buildings such as the Dharma Treasury Pavilion, the Sakyamuni Hall, and the Rear Hall from front to back. The Dharma Treasury Pavilion is connected to the Small Ear Hall on the east side, and there are five rooms in the west wing in front of the Rear Hall. The existing main buildings include the Dharma Treasury Pavilion, the East and West Ear Halls, the Sakyamuni Hall, the Rear Hall, and the West Wing, etc., and the rest of the buildings are all destroyed. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in China.
Longxiang Guandi Temple in Xinjiang, Shanxi
The Longxiang Guandi Temple faces north and south, with two courtyards, 58.26 meters from north to south, 34.4 meters from east to west, covering an area of 2004 square meters, and a building area of 342 square meters. The existing buildings include the stage, main hall, theater, offering hall, and main hall. From south to north on the central axis, there are the theater, offering hall, and main hall in turn. The main hall is a relic of the Yuan Dynasty. The theater is a Qing Dynasty building, and the offering hall is a Republic of China building. The main hall is a Yuan Dynasty building, with 3 rooms, 2 rooms deep, and a double-eave Xieshan tube tile roof. The Xieshan roof has a door in the middle, and a straight lattice window is opened in the supplement. The bucket arch is a four-paved single lower ang, and only one bucket arch is applied in the supplement. There is a corridor around, with stone carved dragon pillars, vivid and vivid, fully demonstrating the exquisite skills of ancient Jiangzhou bluestone carving. The beam frame structure is four rafters with three columns, and the materials are huge, which is more heavy. There are 7 statues of Guan Yu, Zhou Cang, Guan Ping and others in the hall. According to the research, it is a sculpture work of the Ming Dynasty. The interior colored sculptures include Guandi, book boy, long-bearded elder and Guan Ping, Zhou Cang. The colored sculptures are works of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with appropriate proportions, smooth clothing patterns, vivid expressions, and both form and spirit, especially the statue of Guandi, which is more solemn.
The Longxiang Guandi Temple was founded in the Song Dynasty, and was rebuilt in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The temple has a rigorous layout, compact structure, simple exterior decoration, superb colored sculpture skills, and unique historical, artistic, and scientific research value. It is a national key cultural protection unit.
Journey to Shanxi—Longxing Temple in Xinjiang
Walking on the streets of Xinjiang County, no matter where you stand, you can see that towering ancient pagoda, which is Longxing Temple. The entrance fee is 20 yuan, and if you want to visit the tower, you need to pay an additional 5 yuan.
🌟Highlights:
Longxing Temple
Longxing Temple, it is said to have been established during the Tang Dynasty and was originally named 'Biluo Guan'. In the first year of Xianheng of Tang Gaozong (670 AD), it was renamed Longxing Palace. According to the 'Zhili Jiangzhou Zhi', it was renamed Longxing Temple because Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin once stayed here.
Biluo Stele
The Biluo Stele was engraved in the third year of Zongzhang of Tang (670 AD). It was erected by the four brothers of Li Xun, Li Yi, Li Yi, and Li Mou, the sons of Han Wang Li Yuanjia, the eleventh son of Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, for their mother Fang Taifei (the daughter of Fang Xuanling) to pray for blessings. The content is to praise the virtuous style of his mother Fang Fei. The stele is full of 21 columns, each with 32 characters, and a total of 630 characters except for the vacant places. The whole article is engraved with various characters such as Tang Xiaozhuan, Zhongding, Xie, and Liu, and the writing is ancient and exquisite. Zhang Han, a famous calligrapher and ancient philologist of the Tang Dynasty, called it 'the only existing inscription in China that uses the ancient script written in Xiaozhuan script'.
Longxing Pagoda
The Longxing Pagoda was built in the Tang Dynasty, originally eight floors. In the forty-second year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1777 AD), it was rebuilt in the form of a pagoda and increased to thirteen floors. The pagoda is 43.7 meters high, with a delicate structure and a beautiful posture. It is octagonal in shape, and the pillars and brackets are all made of imitation wood structure. Each level is inlaid with stone inscriptions. The bottom of the pagoda has doors on all four sides, and there are hanging ladders for climbing. What is magical and puzzling is that the tower has 'smoked' many times, but there is no scientific explanation for its cause to this day.
Friends are asking like crazy, this is really not abroad
Each piece of stained glass has its unique story
Witnessing the passage of time and the hope of faith
Pure clouds, sacred aesthetics
And the light of art jumping in light and shadow
The romantic Catholic church is showing off this small town in a low-key manner
The Catholic church was built in the early 20th century,
The first floor is the merchants of the antique district
You can enter directly for a visit along the stairs in the middle
This three-tower Catholic church combines Roman and Gothic styles,
The design sense of the full dome top is full,
With the grandeur and magnificence that comes with the years
The interior murals and stained glass windows are really beautiful～
📍Yuncheng Catholic Church, No. 88 Hongqi West Street, Salt Lake District
⏰Opening hours
06:00-18:00【Free visit】
🚌Transportation
Get off at the Salt Lake Hall station by buses No. 6, 7, 12, 18, 20, etc.
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