Guangsheng Temple (广胜寺), located in Linfen City, Shanxi Province, was originally built in 147 AD during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Initially named Julu She Temple and also known as Yuwang Pagoda Courtyard, it was renamed Guangsheng Temple during the Tang Dynasty. Over the centuries, Guangsheng Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars and earthquakes. Today, the existing structures include buildings from the Yuan Dynasty, with the Feihong Pagoda and the Main Hall of the Great Buddha being reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty.
The Guangsheng Temple complex is divided into three main sections: the Upper Temple, the Lower Temple, and the Water God Temple. These three areas are famous for what is known as the “Three Wonders of Guangsheng”: the Feihong Pagoda, the Zhaocheng Jin Zang, and the Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple.
The Feihong Pagoda is one of only four ancient pagodas in China, and it is the largest and most complete glazed pagoda with inscriptions by craftsmen. The Zhaocheng Jin Zang is a rare treasure – a Song Dynasty woodblock-printed version of the Buddhist canon, known as the Kaibao Edition, based on the translations brought back from India by the great Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang. This unique edition is considered one of China’s four national treasures, along with the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Siku Quanshu, and the Dunhuang Manuscripts.
The Water God Temple, one of the most complete temples dedicated to water deities in China, dates back to at least the Tang Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty murals inside the temple, depicting rituals for rainmaking, have high historical and artistic value.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Guangsheng Temple
- Vlog about Guangsheng Temple
- History of Guangsheng Temple
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 68 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0357-5565533 |
Location and Transportation
Guangsheng Temple is located in Guangshengsi Town, Hongtong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, China. To visit the temple, travelers can first take a high-speed train to Hongtong West Station. From there, they can board bus number 26 to the city center. Upon reaching the city center, they should transfer to bus number 21 or 22 and get off at the final stop. From the bus stop, it’s a short walk of about 1 kilometer to reach the lower part of Guangsheng Temple.
For added convenience, taking a taxi is also an option. The drive from the city center to Guangsheng Temple takes around 30 minutes, while the journey from the high-speed train station to the temple takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
Highlights of Guangsheng Temple
Feihong Pagoda
Feihong Pagoda, constructed during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, is renowned as one of the finest and best-preserved glazed pagodas in China. This magnificent structure was featured in the 1986 version of the Chinese TV series Journey to the West, particularly in the episode “Sweeping the Pagoda to Discern the Injustice.” The pagoda stands prominently at the front of the temple’s entrance, with a towering height of 47.31 meters. It has an octagonal shape and consists of 13 stories, each made of blue bricks and adorned with elaborate eaves.
The entire structure is decorated with tri-colored glazed tiles in yellow, green, and blue, with the first three levels being the most intricate. Under the eaves are a variety of decorative elements, including brackets, columns, Buddha statues, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, floral patterns, coiling dragons, birds, and animals – all exquisitely crafted and vividly painted, retaining their bright colors even today. Wind chimes hang from the eaves, producing melodious sounds when the breeze passes through.
The top of the pagoda features an iron Dharma Wheel, with a copper spire weighing approximately 67.2 kilograms embedded at its center. The pagoda is hollow inside, with a spiraling staircase that allows visitors to climb to the top – a design that showcases remarkable ingenuity. Feihong Pagoda is a quintessential example of glazed pagoda architecture in China. Remarkably, it withstood the devastating 1695 earthquake, which measured 8.0 on the Richter scale, leaving it completely intact. Such a well-preserved and exquisite glazed pagoda is unparalleled in the world.
Water God Temple
The Water God Temple is a traditional shrine dedicated to the deity of Huo Spring. It includes several significant structures such as the Shanmen (Mountain Gate), which features a Yuan Dynasty stage, the Yi Gate, and the Hall of King Mingying. Inside the Hall of King Mingying, in addition to the clay statues of King Mingying and his attendants, the walls are adorned with Yuan Dynasty murals. These murals are unique in Chinese history as they are the only ancient murals that do not depict Buddhist or Taoist themes.
One of the most notable murals on the southern wall’s eastern side is a large Yuan Dynasty theatrical painting titled “Great Dispersing Music of Loyalty and Merit.” This mural is the only known large-scale Yuan Dynasty theatrical painting in China, making it an invaluable resource for studying the history of Chinese theater and stage art. This mural, along with another depicting ancient polo scenes, was included in the Chinese History textbook in 1998, further highlighting its cultural significance.
The Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple focus on themes of rainmaking, performing rain rituals, and offering thanks to the gods. The murals are divided across six sections on the eastern, western, southeastern, southwestern, northeastern, and northwestern walls. The murals, which cover a height of 5.5 meters, span a total length of 34 meters and an area of 190 square meters. The murals depict over ten different scenes, including “Dragon King Performing Rain,” “Praying for Rain,” “Yuan Dynasty Drama,” “Polo Scene,” “Chess Game,” “Fishermen Selling Fish,” “Royal Palace Treasures,” “Royal Palace Cuisine,” “Royal Palace Dressing,” and “Ancient Guangsheng Upper Temple.” These murals are not only significant for their historical and artistic value but also for their detailed portrayal of life and culture during the Yuan Dynasty.
Amitabha Hall
Amitabha Hall is a unique Yuan Dynasty structure located in the Upper Temple of Guangsheng Temple. The hall features a glazed tile roof and a single-eaved, hip-and-gable design. It spans five bays in width and four bays in depth. Inside the hall, the statues of the Western Three Saints are enshrined: a bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha in the center, flanked by clay sculptures of Guanyin Bodhisattva on one side and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on the other. Surrounding the hall are red scripture cabinets, where the rare Zhaocheng Jin Zang was originally stored. Behind the main altar, there is a unique depiction of a large, seated Maitreya Buddha with a bare chest and belly, laughing heartily with his head tilted back.
Mahavira Hall
Mahavira Hall, also known as the Shakyamuni Hall, stands at the center of the Upper Temple. Rebuilt in the third year of the Ming Dynasty’s Jingtai reign (1452 AD), this hall features a single-eaved, gable roof design. It spans five bays in width and four bays in depth. Inside, the hall houses the statues of the Huayan Three Saints: the central statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, with Manjushri Bodhisattva to the east and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva to the west. These statues are Ming Dynasty wooden carvings adorned with gold leaf. Additionally, on brick platforms along the eastern and western walls of the hall are the eighteen iron-cast Arhats, also created during the Ming period.
Weituo Hall and Pilu Hall
Weituo Hall, also known as the Duodian in architectural terms, houses a commanding statue of Weituo, depicted in a powerful and lifelike seated posture. The hall’s east wall is adorned with murals from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, known for their meticulous details and fluid brushstrokes. These murals are remarkably well-preserved, showcasing the artistic and cultural heritage of the period.
Pilu Hall, also referred to as the Hall of Heaven within Heaven, features a single-eaved, hipped roof with glazed tile edges. The hall spans five bays in width and four bays in depth. The intricately carved lattice doors are masterpieces of wood carving art. Inside the hall, the central altar is dedicated to three Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas, surrounded by statues of eighty-eight Buddhas. The northern wall is dominated by a grand mural depicting the Twelve Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattvas, a significant piece of religious art.
Huo Spring
Just outside the gate of the Lower Temple is Huo Spring. According to the Shui Jing Zhu (Commentary on the Water Classic) by Li Daoyuan, the Huo River originates from Mount Huotai, forming a deep pool that is several dozen meters deep. The current Huo Spring area comprises the Haichang, Fen Shui Pavilion, and Stele Pavilion. Haichang is a water source pond with an area of about 80 square meters, built along the mountain. The source is enclosed within, with a flow rate of four cubic meters per second during peak periods, irrigating over 100,000 mu (approximately 6,667 hectares) of farmland.
In front of the pond stands the Fen Shui Pavilion, which is supported by iron columns dividing the pavilion into ten sections. Historically, this was the dividing point for water distribution between the counties of Hongtong and Zhaocheng, with three sections to the south and seven to the north, though the measured water flow was nearly equal. This setup was a historical solution to water disputes between the two counties. The Stele Pavilion contains inscriptions detailing the water distribution and a diagram on the back of the stele.
Vlog about Guangsheng Temple
History of Guangsheng Temple
Guangsheng Temple, located in Hongdong County, Shanxi Province, China, is a historic Buddhist temple with a rich history that spans over a millennium. Its origins can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and throughout its existence, the temple has undergone numerous reconstructions, restorations, and expansions, reflecting the complex interplay of religious, political, and social forces in Chinese history.
Early Beginnings
The history of Guangsheng Temple dates back to 147 AD, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, when it was first established under the name Julu Shelisi Temple. The temple’s original purpose was to serve as a Buddhist site, dedicated to the teachings and worship of Buddhism, which had been spreading from India to China during that period. However, the temple’s existence was short-lived, as it was destroyed in 424 AD during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, who initiated a campaign to suppress Buddhism across the empire. This early iteration of Guangsheng Temple was reduced to ruins, and its grounds were abandoned.
Resurgence and Early Medieval Period
In 563 AD, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the temple was revived as part of a broader effort to re-establish Buddhism in China. An ancient stone stele was unearthed during the temple’s reconstruction, which bore an inscription from 147 AD, marking the earliest documented evidence of the temple’s existence. However, this resurgence was once again interrupted in 574 AD, when Emperor Wu issued another edict to suppress Buddhism, halting the construction of a new pagoda at the site.
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), Guangsheng Temple experienced a significant revival. The temple benefited from the imperial support of Buddhism, particularly under the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (712–756 AD). In 760 AD, a prominent monk named Cixian Wuzheng was granted permission to rebuild the temple’s pagoda on the site of an ancient stupa, believed to contain relics of the Buddha. The completion of this pagoda marked a new era for the temple, which was now officially named “Guangsheng Temple” by the Tang court. The temple continued to receive imperial support, including from the famous general Guo Ziyi, who secured additional funds and resources for the temple’s expansion in 769 AD.
Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties
During the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), Guangsheng Temple continued to thrive as a major center of Buddhist worship and learning. In 1079 AD, the temple was visited by a high-ranking official from the Hezhou region, who composed poetry in praise of the temple’s scenic beauty. In 1095 AD, a stone pagoda with intricate carvings was erected, further enhancing the temple’s architectural splendor.
The Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 AD) saw further expansion of Guangsheng Temple. In 1122 AD, the monk Zongying constructed the main gate and the rear Dharma hall of the upper temple. A massive bronze bell, weighing thousands of pounds, was also cast during this period, symbolizing the temple’s growing importance. The lower temple was also expanded, with the construction of the Taishang Buddha Hall in 1153 AD. However, the temple’s fortunes fluctuated during the Jin period, as it suffered from military conflicts and natural disasters.
The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 AD) marked a period of major reconstruction for Guangsheng Temple. In 1260 AD, the temple’s Water God Shrine was rebuilt, followed by further renovations in 1283 AD and 1284 AD. The temple was also granted a complete set of the Song Dynasty’s woodblock-printed Buddhist scriptures, underscoring its status as a significant religious site. However, the temple faced another setback in 1303 AD when a powerful earthquake destroyed the Water God Shrine. Despite this, the temple was swiftly rebuilt, with a new Great Buddha Hall constructed in 1305 AD, and the Water God Shrine relocated and reconstructed in 1319 AD. The temple’s murals, depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures, were also created during this period, adding to the temple’s artistic and religious significance.
Ming and Qing Dynasties
The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) saw continued restoration and expansion of Guangsheng Temple. In 1371 AD, the Water God Shrine was rebuilt, and in 1380 AD, major construction work on the shrine was completed. The upper temple’s Great Hall was reconstructed in 1452 AD, and new Buddha statues were created in 1472 AD. The construction of the iconic Feihong Pagoda, a seven-story brick pagoda, was initiated in 1515 AD by the monk Dalian and completed in 1527 AD. The Feihong Pagoda, with its elegant design and intricate carvings, became one of the most recognizable features of Guangsheng Temple.
During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 AD), Guangsheng Temple underwent several restorations, particularly in response to natural disasters and the passage of time. In 1659 AD, the temple’s murals depicting the fifty-three Buddhas were repainted. The lower temple was extensively repaired in 1673 AD, and additional renovations were carried out in 1707 AD and 1711 AD. The Water God Shrine, in particular, received significant attention, with new murals and statues being created in 1751 AD.
Modern Era
In the modern era, Guangsheng Temple faced numerous challenges, including the loss of its cultural treasures. In 1921, parts of the temple, including its ancient wooden archways, were dismantled, and the murals from the Yuan Dynasty were sold to foreign collectors, resulting in a significant loss of cultural heritage. During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), efforts were made to protect the temple’s treasures, including the evacuation of over 4,000 volumes of the Zhao Cheng Golden Sutra to safe locations.
In 1961, Guangsheng Temple was designated as one of China’s first batch of national cultural heritage sites, ensuring its protection and preservation. Subsequent restoration efforts in the 1970s and 1980s focused on repairing the temple’s historic buildings and preserving its cultural artifacts.
