Shuanglin Temple (双林寺), originally known as Zhongdu Temple, is located in Pingyao and boasts a history of over 1,400 years. It is an important component of the “One City, Two Temples” World Cultural Heritage site. Renowned for its vibrant colored sculptures, Shuanglin Temple carries on the fine traditions of Tang Dynasty and Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties’ sculpture styles. These sculptures, praised as “a treasure trove of oriental colored sculpture art,” are known for their realistic and intricate details.
The temple is situated north-south and covers an area of approximately 15,000 square meters. It is surrounded by high rammed earth walls with battlements, giving it the appearance of a small fortress. Inside, the temple is divided into two main sections: the east and the west.
The western section is dedicated to the main temple complex and includes ten halls and three courtyards. The front courtyard features the Shakyamuni Hall, Arhat Hall, Martial Saint Hall, Land God Hall, Yama Hall, and Heavenly King Hall. The central courtyard contains the Mahavira Hall, along with the Hall of Thousand Buddhas and the Bodhisattva Hall on either side. The rear courtyard houses the Goddess Hall and the Zhengyi Shrine. The eastern section is primarily composed of meditation halls and scripture rooms, contributing to the temple’s serene and spiritual ambiance.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Shuanglin Temple
- History and Name Origin of Shuanglin Temple
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
Ticket Price | 35 RMB |
Opening Hours | 8.00 – 19.00 |
Telephone Number | 0086-0354-5779023 |
Location and Transportation
Shuanglin Temple is located at 28 Shuanglin Zheng Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China. It is about 6 kilometers southwest of Pingyao Ancient City. To get there, you can take the Pingyao 108 North Line or Pingyao 108 South Line buses and alight at the Shuanglin Temple (双林寺) bus stop. The temple is within walking distance from the stop.
Highlights of Shuanglin Temple
Heavenly King Hall
The Heavenly King Hall is the first hall encountered as you enter Shuanglin Temple through its arched gate. It is a five-bay wide and three-bay deep structure. Inside, the central figure is Maitreya Buddha, seated in the lotus position with a crown on his head, flanked by Indra and Brahma on either side. The southern wall features the Four Heavenly Kings, while the northern walls are adorned with the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. The statues in this hall are known for their realistic and vivid representations. The Four Heavenly Kings, each standing around three meters tall and holding a pipa, a sword, a snake, and an umbrella, guard the four cardinal directions. These figures, portrayed with a realistic approach, deviate from the traditional fierce and intimidating forms of protective deities. The statues exude a warrior-like presence, combining a sense of familiarity with an awe-inspiring aura.
Shakyamuni Hall
The Shakyamuni Hall, one of the main halls in Shuanglin Temple, is characterized by its simple and unadorned style. It is five bays wide and three bays deep. The hall features Shakyamuni Buddha seated at the center, with Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas on either side. The walls of the hall are adorned with intricate carvings in high and low relief, depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha from his birth to his enlightenment and nirvana, and his teachings to the world. Over 200 figures are represented, each with distinct characteristics and expressions, creating a dynamic narrative through their interactions with the architecture and natural rock formations.
Behind the hall’s shadow wall is a notable sculpture of the Sea-crossing Guanyin. This sculpture, a highlight of Shuanglin Temple’s colored sculptures, is crafted in round relief. Guanyin is depicted sitting on a red lotus petal with one leg raised, protruding from the wall. The serene figure contrasts dramatically with the turbulent waves in the background, creating an artistic effect that blends stillness with movement.
Martial Saints Hall and Earth God Hall
The Martial Saints Hall features a prominent statue of Guan Yu, sculpted during the early Qing Dynasty. Guan Yu, depicted with an imposing and lifelike presence, is surrounded by wall-mounted sculptures depicting scenes from his legendary life, such as the “Peach Garden Oath,” “Furious Beheading of Hua Xiong,” “Slaying of Cai Yang,” and “Flooding the Seven Armies.” Each figure, about 40 centimeters tall, is vividly detailed and brightly colored.
In the Earth God Hall, the central figure is Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, flanked by the Ten Kings of Hell and their judges. These statues are stern and solemn, reflecting the Bodhisattva’s role as one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas who oversees the underworld and relieves suffering. The hall’s design is inspired by Buddhist concepts of “Six Paths of Reincarnation” and “Three Realms of Karma.”
The Earth God statues, representing deities of ancient Chinese mythology who govern local land and agriculture, are depicted as venerable elders with a kind and honest demeanor. They are accompanied by attendants, the Golden Boy and the Jade Girl, who assist in managing the land and ensuring bountiful harvests.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the second major courtyard on the central axis of Shuanglin Temple, situated to the north. This hall and its adjoining halls, dedicated to the Thousand Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, are more spacious in layout. Rebuilt during the early Ming Dynasty, the Mahavira Hall is the tallest and most prominent structure in the temple, featuring a five-bay width and three-bay depth with a single front porch. The architectural style, including the dougong (bracket system) and roof decorations, is characteristic of the Ming Dynasty.
Inside, the central statue is of the “Three-bodied Buddha,” flanked by Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. An iron-cast, mud-covered statue of “Amitabha Buddha” stands at the entrance, welcoming visitors. Since these statues have been repainted during the Qing Dynasty, they are slightly less striking compared to those in other halls.
The hall also features a mural from the Ming Dynasty depicting “Buddha Worship.” Unfortunately, this mural was covered with whitewash in the early Republic period, but partial sections revealed since 1982 still display vibrant colors and the graceful lines typical of the Yuan Dynasty style.
Thousand Buddhas Hall
Located to the east of the Great Hero Hall, the Thousand Buddhas Hall features a width of seven bays. It houses over 500 statues, accounting for a quarter of the temple’s total collection. The central figure is the Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) with a serene and graceful expression, exuding a natural and relaxed demeanor. Flanking the central statue are standing figures of Weituo and Yaksha. The Weituo statue is particularly distinctive, combining martial strength with refined artistry, making it a rare gem in Ming Dynasty sculpture.
The hall’s interior is adorned with suspended and wall sculptures of 500 Bodhisattvas arranged in five to six layers. These figures either ride on clouds or mythical beasts, seamlessly integrating with the central statue. Additionally, over thirty statues of donors are sculpted on the window sills and sides of the doors. These figures are highly realistic and provide valuable insights into the evolution of Ming Dynasty clothing and accessories.
Bodhisattva Hall
Situated on the west side of the central courtyard and directly opposite the Thousand Buddhas Hall, the Bodhisattva Hall features the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara. This central statue, seated in a meditative posture, is characterized by a dignified and graceful appearance, with a gentle and refined expression. The hands, depicted in various poses, add a sense of intricate detail and flexibility. Without the many arms extending from its back, the figure might be mistaken for a beautiful and elegant woman of the human world.
Surrounding the main statue are over 400 Bodhisattvas, each standing on colorful clouds and appearing in dynamic poses with flowing robes, creating a vivid sense of movement. The hall’s exterior eaves still bear traces of Ming Dynasty murals depicting offering Bodhisattvas, dating back to the fifth year of the Tian Shun era (1461).
History and Name Origin of Shuanglin Temple
Shuanglin Temple, originally known as Zhongdu Temple, is situated on the site of the ancient city of Zhongdu, which is why it was named accordingly. The temple’s founding dates back to ancient times, but due to incomplete historical records, the exact date is difficult to determine. The oldest surviving inscription in the temple is the “Gugu Monument,” dating from the fourth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1011). The inscription, though worn and faded, contains the legible phrase from the twentieth line: “The temple was rebuilt in the second year of Wuping,” which corresponds to 571 AD in the Northern Qi Dynasty. This indicates that the temple was established well before this date. Even by Northern Qi standards, Zhongdu Temple has a history spanning over 1,400 years.
At its height, Zhongdu Temple was a renowned place of worship, grand in appearance and bustling with activity. It was once adorned with a “seven-story pagoda, tall enough to be seen from afar,” which was unfortunately destroyed by fire. However, the foundation stones of the original pagoda, each over a meter in diameter, remain as evidence of its former grandeur.
By the Song Dynasty, the temple was renamed Shuanglin Temple. According to Buddhist texts, the Buddha’s nirvana took place near the Sala trees by the river in the ancient city of Kushinagara, where the Buddha lay to the right side, facing north and west, as he entered parinirvana. The twin trees at the site miraculously blossomed with white flowers, a phenomenon known as “Shuanglin Nirvana,” which inspired the temple’s new name.