Zhenguo Temple, Shanxi, China
4.5 (29 reviews) Spent Ranking #13 in Pingyao County Religious Sites
This is an undiscovered gem
There's only one thing to see here: Wanfo (Ten Thousand Buddhas) Hall, the only surviving building of a once much-larger Buddhist monastery. But what a building it is! Built in 963, it's one of the oldest wood buildings in China, or in the world, for that matter. The architectural details---particularly the bracketing and eaves----are extraordinary. Inside is an ensemble fo eleven painted-clay Buddhist sculptures, also dating from the tenth century---both beautiful and intensely spiritual. Zhenguo is a short drive (12k) outside Pingyao and is surrounded by cornfields. It's completely off the tourist circuit. We were there for half an hour, and during that time only two other visitors dropped by.
Address
Hedong Village, 15 km NE of Pingyao , Pingyao County, Shanxi, China.
Current local date and time now
Monday, April 29, 2024, 21:59
User Ratings
4.5 based on (29 reviews)
Reviews
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5Ray L 5:00 PM Jul 7, 2018
excellent example of 10th century Chinese temple construction
if you love architecture, this place offers one of few surviving example of over 1000 year old Chinese temple constructions. You can look at the Wan Fo Dien building and compare & contrast with newer buildings in the Temple, which was constructed 500 years ago. This place is a wonder for architect geeks
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5chopstickmama 5:00 PM Apr 9, 2014
Saved from destruction
This temple is very old, and was saved from destruction during the cultural revolution. The old statues were not restored, and are still in their wonderful original style. Well worth seeing!
