Chongshan Monastery, Shanxi, China
4.0 (11 reviews) Spent Ranking #17 in Taiyuan Religious Sites
A Little Piece of History
I visited Chongshan Monastery after visiting Shuangta Si. (It is about a 15 minute drive between the two). It is very small and takes about 5 minutes to see everything, but it is pleasant to see the monks lounging under the trees and playing with dogs. The temple itself has a dark, ancient air and is still used by locals and students praying for exam results. This temple is only 1/40th of its original size. It is a pity to think more of this could have been here to make it a more noteworthy attraction. Even the old houses around the temple were being demolished during my visit creating dust and traffic entry problems. I didn't see any beggars, maybe they were off for lunch, but I had my fair share of them in Shanxi province elsewhere. Note the 2 Yuan entrance fee which will be asked for by one of the monks.
Address
No.9 Chongshan Street, Yingze District, Taiyuan 030001 China
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 9:50
User Ratings
4.0 based on (11 reviews)
Reviews
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4Raymond W 5:00 PM Aug 28, 2011
Beware the Beggars
Located along a series of narrow alleyways, Chongshan Temple is not the easiest of sites to find. You will know you are getting close when you see a number of beggars in your vicinity, as this temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and various charitable Buddhist deities, attracts a large number of beggars seeking alms. Apparently, they view Western tourists as being generous souls, as they pounced on us with great vigor, rattling cups and making all sorts of pleas. We made it past them on the way in, but on the way back out a female midget (is there a politer way of saying this?) grabbed hold of our legs and wouldn't let go until we had made a donation. Apart from these unfortunate souls, the temple itself is also of interest. In a province, indeed a country, that has an excess of over-restored temples, this one maintains an air of authenticity. The main hall, dating to the Ming Dynasty, is a rustic wooden structure, with exposed beams, cracking planks of wood and clouds of incense smoke wafting everywhere. It also attracts scores of Chinese devotees, so it is a good place to see modern Chinese religion in practice. But beware the beggars!
