Zhenguo Temple

✅Zhenguo Temple in Pingyao was founded in the seventh year of Tianhui during the Northern Han Dynasty of the Five Dynasties, originally named "Jingcheng Temple". It was renamed "Zhenguo Temple" during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 1400 years. ❤Treasures of Zhenguo Temple: ✅1. The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is the main hall of Zhenguo Temple, built in the seventh year of Tianhui (963 AD). Despite numerous renovations over the dynasties, it still retains the architectural style of the Five Dynasties. It is one of the three extant Five Dynasties buildings in Chinese Buddhist temples and one of the oldest wooden structures in China, earning the reputation of a 'millennial treasure'. ✅2. Colored Sculptures The colored sculptures in the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas include only three figures sculpted during the Ming Dynasty and repainted during the Qing Dynasty. The rest are original works from the Five Dynasties, which are the only Five Dynasties works preserved in temple halls nationwide. They are also the only known Five Dynasties colored sculptures in China, apart from those in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang. ✅3. The Half Stele The half stele in the east and west stele pavilions is a relic from the Five Dynasties, said to be the tombstone of Liu Chong's grandson, Liu Jiqin, from the Northern Han Dynasty. The incomplete inscriptions record the court struggles of the Northern Han regime. ✅4. Ancient Bell The iron bell hanging in the bell tower of Zhenguo Temple was cast in the fifth year of the Huangtong era of the Jin Dynasty, over eight hundred years ago. It is the oldest among the ancient bells of the temples in Pingyao and is rare throughout the country. ✅5. Millennium Ancient Scholar Trees There are two millennium-old scholar trees in the temple. The one on the west side is indistinguishable from ordinary scholar trees, while the one on the east side has twisted and interwoven branches, known as the "Dragon Scholar Tree", which is one of the great wonders of Zhenguo Temple. ✅6. Others Zhenguo Temple also houses the Yuan Dynasty Hall of Heavenly Kings, Qing Dynasty Four Heavenly Kings, Ming Dynasty Hall of Yama, Qing Dynasty colored sculpture murals, and more. ❤Tips: 1. This is a niche attraction. The temple is small and very quiet, without the smell of incense smoke. There are mostly individual visitors, and the guide provides detailed explanations about the history and features of the "Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas" and the colored sculptures inside. 2. The adult ticket price is 25 yuan, and it's free for people over 60 years old. 3. Parking is free. 4. The recommended visiting time is about 1 hour.

Shanxi has a strong appeal, and I'm still amazed by the photos upon reorganizing them. Compared to the delicacy of the south, the rough and profound charm here is absolutely soul-stirring😭. Retracing the Liang-Lin route, 🔎through ancient murals, temples, and colored sculptures, I experienced the millennium romance from the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin to the prosperous Tang dynasty, touching the pulse and backbone of culture. As many people have commented on Shanxi💁🏻‍♀️: When ancient buildings starkly appear before your eyes, the instant visual impact makes one lose interest in museums where the lights evenly illuminate the artifacts." 🙌4-day 3-night itinerary D1: Zhenguo Temple—Pingyao Ancient City—Majia Courtyard—Shuanglin Temple D2: Wang Family Courtyard—Datong Ancient City D3: Huayan Temple—Shanhua Temple—Yungang Grottoes D4: Yong'an Temple—Hanging Temple—Ying County Wooden Pagoda ✅Zhenguo Temple One of the few remaining Five Dynasties' colored paintings and wooden structures, an ancient temple of the Northern Han dynasty comparable to Dunhuang ✅Pingyao Ancient City The most completely preserved ancient county in China, a World Cultural Heritage site ✅Majia Courtyard (Pingyao Ancient City) A representative mansion of Pingyao's Jin merchants, with an observation deck overlooking the entire Pingyao ✅Shuanglin Temple Exquisite Yuan and Ming dynasty colored sculptures, Tang locust trees, Song dynasty steles, and Ming dynasty bells of great artistic value ✅Wang Family Courtyard in Shanxi Returning to the Wang Family Courtyard is like visiting a private Forbidden City, grand and solemn ✅Datong Ancient City Strolling through the Northern Wei capital, visiting the city walls, Drum Tower, Qian Tower, and Kui Xing Tower ✅Huayan Temple Following the Tang dynasty's style, Liang Sicheng called it a "unique masterpiece and a national treasure for a thousand years" ✅Shanhua Temple The largest existing Liao and Jin dynasty structure, with Rakshasa clay sculptures and Ming dynasty temple murals ✅Yungang Grottoes Carved by the entire Northern Wei nation, dedicated to the Northern Wei, a lifelong pilgrimage to Yungang ✅Ying County Wooden Pagoda The oldest and tallest existing wooden pagoda in China, known as the 'Dou Gong' museum ✅Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda A solid brick pagoda under Mount Heng with imitation wood eaves in the style of the Song and Liao dynasties ✅Yong'an Temple Yuan dynasty wooden architecture, Yuan dynasty murals, and calligraphic plaques, astonishing to behold ✅Hanging Temple Built in the late Northern Wei period, a 1500-year-old temple perched on a cliff ✅Datong Earth Forest A landscape formed by wind and water erosion, most enchanting at sunset on a clear day 🙌It's cold and windy in winter, remember to choose good weather, and be sure to keep warm. The attractions are far apart, so it's recommended to rent a car or hire a private car.

Shanxi is so powerful that you will be amazed again when you sort out the photos. Compared with the delicacy of the south, the roughness and heaviness here is simply breathtaking. Walk the Lianglin Road again, feel the romance of the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin to the Tang Dynasty in the murals, ancient temples, and colored sculptures, and touch the cultural context. As many people comment on Shanxi: 'When the ancient buildings appear naked in front of you, the visual impact of the moment makes people lose interest in the museum where the cultural relics are evenly illuminated by lights' 4 days and 3 nights itinerary D1: Zhen Guo Temple - Pingyao Ancient City - Ma's Mansion - Shuanglin Temple D2: Wang's Mansion - Datong Ancient City D3: Huayan Temple - Shan Hua Temple - Yungang Grottoes D4: Yong'an Zen Temple - Hanging Temple - Ying County Wooden Pagoda 🌈Zhen Guo Temple The only existing Five Dynasties colored painting and wood structure in China, an ancient temple of the Northern Han Dynasty comparable to Dunhuang 🌈Pingyao Ancient City The most intact ancient county in China, a World Cultural Heritage 🌈Ma's Mansion Representative of Pingyao Jin Merchant's Mansion, the viewing platform can overlook the whole Pingyao 🌈Shuanglin Temple Exquisite Yuan and Ming colored sculptures, Tang locust tree, Song stele, Ming bell have high artistic value 🌈Wang's Mansion If the Wang family returns and doesn't look at the courtyard, it is grand and solemn, known as the folk Forbidden City 🌈Datong Ancient City Wall Walk in the Northern Wei capital, visit the city wall, drum tower, Qian tower, Kui Xing tower 🌈Huayan Temple Liao inherited the Tang system, Liang Sicheng called it 'a unique product in the country, a national treasure for a thousand years' 🌈Shan Hua Temple The largest existing Liao and Jin building, with Rakshasa clay sculptures and Ming Dynasty temple murals 🌈Yungang Grottoes The Northern Wei Dynasty excavated the whole country, read all the volumes of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and only worshipped Yungang in his life 🌈Ying County Wooden Pagoda The oldest and tallest wooden pagoda in China, known as the museum of bucket arch 🌈Yuan Jue Temple Brick Pagoda A solid brick pagoda in the style of imitation wood and dense eaves under Mount Heng, inheriting the Song and Liao style 🌈Yong'an Zen Temple Yuan Dynasty wooden architecture, Yuan Dynasty murals, calligraphy plaques, amazing 🌈Hanging Temple Built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, a 1500-year-old air loft on the cliff 🌈Datong Earth Forest The landscape formed by wind and water erosion is most charming when the sun sets on a sunny day It's cold and windy in winter, remember to choose good weather, be sure to keep warm, the attractions are far apart, it is recommended to rent a car or charter Shanxi is too much of a treasure, what other private attractions do you have, welcome to share 😘

🗺️🗺️【4 days and 3 nights route】 Day1️⃣: Zhenguo Temple-Pingyao Ancient City-Yima Family Courtyard-Shuanglin Temple Day2️⃣: Wang Family Courtyard-Datong Ancient City Day3️⃣: Huayan Temple-Shanhua Temple-Yungang Grottoes Day4️⃣: Yongan Zen Temple-Hanging Temple-Ying County Wooden Pagoda — 🚗🚗【About Transportation】 1️⃣It is recommended to choose to take a taxi🚗, with a wide range of routes, and there will be no traffic jams. 2️⃣It is recommended to choose to go to Taiyuan South Station or Taiyuan Station🚄, close to the city center, convenient transportation.👍 3️⃣It is recommended not to take a black car, it is easy to be pitted, and there is no security.🙅 — 🥘🥘【Shanxi Cuisine】 1️⃣Baked bun🫓: squid, chicken, sesame sauce is delicious 2️⃣Pingyao Beef🐂: Historical, fat but not greasy, lean but not firewood 3️⃣Taigu Cake🍪: It is a traditional famous dish in Shanxi, crispy but not hard, soft but not skin, beef sausage 4️⃣Fried Bowl Tuo🥣: Dong Fried Bowl Tuo's special food is a very famous snack 5️⃣Hunyuan Cold Noodles🍜: Yuan Liang has a history of thousands of years, add chili oil flavor one — 🌈🌈【Local Features】 1️⃣Shanxi's characteristic diet is mainly sour (vinegar), most dishes are not spicy🈚️, don't worry if you don't eat spicy 2️⃣Shanxi has a profound cultural heritage, and due to climatic conditions, cultural relics are easy to preserve, which means that Shanxi's ground cultural resources (statues, ancient buildings) are very rich. 3️⃣The prices in Shanxi are cheaper than those in first-tier tourist cities💰, of course, eating in scenic spots🍚 is still relatively expensive (per capita 50～100r💰).