Yong’an Temple (永安寺) is located in Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. Originally constructed during the Jin Dynasty, the temple was destroyed by fire and later rebuilt in the second year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Yanyou Era (1315). Over the years, it has undergone several renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Occupying an area of over 5,000 square meters, Yong’an Temple is oriented from north to south and features a layout aligned along a central axis. The main buildings include the Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the Transmission of the Dharma Hall. On either side of the central axis are additional halls: the Guanyin Hall, the Kāla Hall, the Dharma Hall, the Thunder God Hall, and the Temple of Guan Di.
Transmission of the Dharma Hall is the temple’s most notable structure. Built during the Yuan Dynasty, it stands on a high base and follows a rectangular floor plan. The hall features a traditional architectural style combining wooden framework and dougong (bracket) construction techniques. It has a five-bay wide and three-bay deep layout, with a single eaves gabled roof covered in yellow glazed tiles. The front of the hall includes a platform and stone steps leading up to the main entrance, which is adorned with the characters “庄严” (Solemn). The interior of the hall showcases a traditional Jin Dynasty design with ornate wooden pillars and intricate carvings of celestial palaces and celestial flower ceilings.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Exquisite Murals in Transmission of the Dharma Hall
- Vlog about Yong’an Temple
- Other Attractions in Hunyuan County
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0352-8321964 |
Location and Transportation
Yong’an Temple is situated in the northeast of Huyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. Specifically, it can be found in the Beixiang of Gulou North Alley. To get there, you can take bus Hunyuan 1 or Hunyuan 3 and get off at Gucheng Xianya Stop (古城县衙站).
Exquisite Murals in Transmission of the Dharma Hall
Transmission of the Dharma Hall features a stunning collection of Ming Dynasty murals that cover all four walls of the hall. These murals depict a total of 135 groups and 895 figures, covering an area of 186.912 square meters. On the north wall, or the rear wall of the hall, there is a central door flanked by murals of the Ten Great Kings of Brightness. These fierce and fearsome deities are depicted with exaggerated expressions, upright hair, and fangs, each with specific attributes:
On the west side of the north wall:
- First King: Green face, red hair, with three heads and eight arms. He holds swords and a Dharma Wheel, riding a tiger.
- Second King: Black face, black hair, adorned with three skulls. He wields a bell, a precious jewel, and holds various objects, riding a white elephant.
- Third King: Red face, black hair, with three heads and six arms. He carries a hammer, a scripture, and rides a mythical beast.
- Fourth King: Blue face, red hair, with three heads and six arms. He holds a short stick, a lotus flower, and rides a dragon.
- Fifth King: Red face, black hair, with three skulls. He holds a yellow flower and a precious bottle, riding a mythical beast.
On the east side of the north wall, the murals continue with:
- First King: Black face, black hair, with a Buddha head on his forehead. He holds a long stick and a bow, riding a cow.
- Second King: Red face, black hair, with three eyes and eight arms. He wields a sword, a ritual object, and rides a mythical beast.
- Third King: Blue-white face, red hair, with three heads and six arms. He holds fire wheels and a long staff, riding a mythical beast.
- Fourth King: Black face, black hair, with three heads and eight arms. He wields an axe and a vase, riding a dragon.
- Fifth King: Black face, black hair, with a Buddha head and six arms. He holds a sword and a scripture, riding a mythical beast.
