Xian Tong Temple, Shanxi, China
4.5 (11 reviews) Spent More than 3 hours Ranking #4 in Wutai County Religious Sites
Appropriated Temple
The white Stupa in front of the temple was originally part of Xian Tong Temple. But during the Ming Dynasty it was appropriated by the emperor to give credit to his mother so that she would have a better after-life. So the new temple beside is called Tayuan Temple. The Bell Tower was also cut out from the main compound of the temple and you have to enter Xian Tong Temple sideways. Anyway the emperor always get what he wants. The amazing feature of the temple would be the Guilded Bronze Hall. Striking in the sun.
Address
Xiantong Temple, Mount Wutai, Wutai County, Shanxi, China.
Mobile
Website
http://www.xts.chinawts.com/list/xts/index.htm
Current local date and time now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 15:24
User Ratings
4.5 based on (11 reviews)
Reviews
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5horst_8877 5:00 PM Sep 17, 2015
fantastic guilded bronze hall!
Xiantong Temple is a major temple neighboring the landmark White Pagoda of the Taiyuan Temple in the middle of the temple complex in the village of Taihuai, the center of the UNESCO World Heritage site Wutai Shan. We came here as most of the tourists do as participant of a guided tour with a bus of the Shanxi Tourism Organization. Built in the 1st Century on the slope of Mt. Wutai Xiantong Temple is the largest and earliest in Taihuai/Wutaishan and together with the Whithe Horse Temple in Luoyang/Henan Province the oldest in China. The temple has been expanded over the centuries adding halls and gardens which at present mainly reflect the temple architecture style of the 16/17th century. Today there are more than 10 courtyards and hundreds of rooms. Some buildings are unusual as they are made from bricks instead of wood, but imitating the appearance of a wooden construction. The most prominent is just up a little hill to the upper terrace where there is the fantastic smaller bronze hall from early 17th Century totally built in bronze. The lattice windows and the panels of the walls are all cast in perfect imitation of fine timber work. Its accompanying model stupas are also cast in bronze, with very rich and detailed decoration and even small bells at each of the corners. The stunning gold gilding of this bronze hall and the stupas is recent. Very impressive! Never seen before! From the highest terrace there is a very nice overview over the temple, its neighborhood and the hilly forests of Mt. Wutai. The most perfect place to take photos. As Xiantong Temple is that large it’s not as noisy and that crowded as other temples of Wutaishan and there are plenty of quiet niches to find a break from the hustle and bustle of hectic city life.
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5KiAnanda 5:00 PM May 22, 2017
Wonderful place
I have visited this temple a few times many years ago so this is like a real deja vu. Still, the temple never fails to fascinate me. The mystical smell of the incense air, the devout crowds, the sheer size of the temple ground is mesmerising. Unfortunately we need a lot of walking, and really a lot, to visit the temples in Wutaishan.
