Chongshan Temple (崇善寺), located in the southeastern corner of Taiyuan, has a rich history dating back to the Tang Dynasty when it was initially known as Baima Temple. Over the centuries, it has undergone several name changes, including Yanshou Temple, Zongshan Temple, and Xin Temple, before finally being named Chongshan Temple during the Ming Dynasty. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the Shanxi Provincial Buddhist Association and is affiliated with the Pure Land School of Buddhism.
Before the Ming Dynasty, Chongshan Temple was a modest temple. Some legends suggest it was a palace used by Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty during his visit to Taiyuan, while others claim it was the place where Empress Wu Zetian took monastic vows in her youth. The inscription “Zong Tang Yizhi” (遗址宗唐), meaning “Site of the Tang Heritage,” above the right side of the temple gate may reflect these historical legends.
The temple’s existing structures mainly include the Shanmen (Mountain Gate), the Bell Tower, the East and West Wing Rooms, and the main hall, the Great Compassion Hall (Dabei Dian). The statues within the hall are original relics from the Ming Dynasty, representing significant architectural and sculptural artistry of that era, with high artistic value.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Chongshan Temple
- Other Attractions in Taiyuan Urban Area
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 6 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0351-2029035 |
Location and Transportation
Chongshan Temple is located at 9 Wenmiao Lane, Yingze District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 3, 4 Inner Loop Line, 4 Outer Loop Line, 6, 10, 25, 61, 87, 105, 805, 820, 864, or K03, get off at Wuyi Road Qiaotou Street Intersection (五一路桥头街口), and walk about 500 meters to the east.
Highlights of Chongshan Temple
Great Compassion Hall
The Great Compassion Hall is the main structure of Chongshan Temple and the most well-preserved and representative Ming Dynasty wooden structure in Taiyuan. Remarkably, its construction predates that of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City by 20 to 30 years. The hall spans seven bays in width and four bays in depth, featuring a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with the lower eaves supported by five tiers of bracket sets and the upper eaves by six tiers, embodying a majestic beauty.
The interior of the Great Compassion Hall is spacious and well-lit, adorned with resplendent gold and colorful paintings from the inner columns and beams to the base, giving it a luxurious and elegant feel. Although the hall’s platform is not particularly high, its large courtyard, nearly two-thirds of the entire space, prevents the complex from feeling crowded despite its grand structures.
To add visual interest to the expansive courtyard, ancient architects ingeniously included two small hexagonal pavilions on either side of the platform: a Drum Pavilion on the left and a Bell Pavilion on the right. Both pavilions are topped with glazed tiles and surrounded by brick-inlaid railings, making them exquisite examples of early Ming architecture.
At the southeastern corner of the courtyard stands a tall bell tower, over 20 meters high. Hanging within is a large iron bell cast in the first year of the Zhengde reign (1506). The bell measures 2 meters in height and 1.8 meters in diameter, weighing 9,999 jin (about 5,000 kg). When lightly struck, the bell produces a rich, deep, and melodious tone, while a heavier strike results in a resonant, powerful sound that fills the space.
Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva
Inside the Great Compassion Hall stands an impressive 8.3-meter-tall statue of the Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva, a figure of unique design and perfect proportions, covered in gold leaf that radiates a dazzling brilliance. Though referred to as the Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, the statue actually has only 20 arms, with each hand featuring an eye in its center. According to Buddhist teachings, these 40 hands and 40 eyes, when multiplied by the “twenty-five modes of existence” in Buddhism, symbolize the thousand arms and eyes.
This form of Guanyin represents one of the “six transformative forms” and symbolizes the ability to perceive all human suffering and fortune. The eye on the forehead signifies that the bodhisattva has reached the state of “samadhi,” a deep meditative concentration. The various implements held by the bodhisattva—such as the wheel, conch, parasol, banner, flower, vase, fish, and knot—symbolize auspiciousness and blessings. The weapons like the knife, spear, sword, and halberd are said to be used to subdue demons and evil spirits. The sun and moon, held aloft by two hands near her head, symbolize the infinite power of Buddhist teachings that govern the universe. The khata scarf held in her front hands represents her deep reverence for the patriarchs of the Buddhist tradition.
This statue exudes a serene femininity, with a graceful posture, flowing garments, and smooth lines, all contributing to a sense of dignified beauty. Her expressive face and poised demeanor reflect a profound inner grace and tranquility. This statue is not only a precious religious artifact but also a masterpiece of ancient Chinese sculpture.
Ancient Buddhist Scriptures
Chongshan Temple is renowned for preserving some of the earliest and most precious printed Buddhist scriptures in China. Among these are the Northern Song Dynasty’s Chongning Wanshou Zang and the Southern Song Dynasty’s Qisha Zang.
The Chongning Wanshou Zang, also known as the Gushan Canon, is a significant work in the history of woodblock printing. It took 33 years to complete, originally consisting of 564 cases and over 5,800 volumes. Today, only 17 volumes and 18 pages of this rare edition remain.
The Qisha Zang began its creation during the fourth year of Emperor Shaoding of the Southern Song Dynasty (1231 AD) and was completed in the second year of Emperor Yingzong Zhizhi of the Yuan Dynasty (1323 AD). This canon, which took nearly a century to finish, originally comprised 591 cases and 6,362 volumes. Currently, 562 cases and 4,846 volumes are preserved.
Additionally, the temple houses the Puning Zang, a Yuan Dynasty edition of the Buddhist canon, which was funded by public donations and printed in the first year of Emperor Huanzong’s reign (1312 AD). This edition originally had 586 cases and 4,325 volumes, but only 505 cases and 4,257 volumes remain today.
Besides these early versions, Chongshan Temple also preserves other significant scriptures acquired from various temples and regions over the years. These include the Ming Dynasty’s Southern Canon from the Shiwanyuan Monastery in Taiyuan, the Northern Canon from Datong, and the Kanjur, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture reprinted from Japan in the 1970s.
The temple also holds unique scriptures such as stone-carved copies of the Diamond Sutra, gold-lettered versions of the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, and blood-written copies of the Avatamsaka Sutra. The diversity of these scriptures, in terms of time period, version, and distinctive features, elevates Chongshan Temple’s status as an important Buddhist institution.
