The largest iron-cast Buddha head in the country

Dayun Temple, also known as the Iron Buddha Temple, is located in Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, and is named for the towering pagoda that houses a giant iron-cast Buddha head beneath it. Dayun Temple was built in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (632 AD), and was destroyed by an earthquake in the thirty-fourth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1695 AD). It was rebuilt in the fifty-fourth year of the Kangxi era (1715 AD). The entire temple complex faces west to east and consists of three courtyards. The first courtyard is composed of the mountain gate and the Hall of Heavenly Kings; the second courtyard consists of the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and the flanking halls to the south and north; the third courtyard is made up of the Mahavira Hall, the south and north wing rooms, the Sutra Preservation Tower, and the central glazed golden-top pagoda. According to inscriptions and beam frame inscriptions, the glazed golden-top pagoda is a relic from the fifty-fourth year of the Kangxi era (1715 AD), and the Sutra Preservation Tower is a relic from the eighth year of the Guangxu era (1882 AD). Although there are no inscriptions or beam frame inscriptions for the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the flanking halls, or the wing rooms, analysis of their beam frame structures and architectural features suggests that they are works from the mid-Qing Dynasty. The glazed golden-top pagoda has a square plan and is the essence of the temple's architecture. The pagoda is 39.5 meters tall and consists of a base and five levels of the pagoda body. Inside the base, there is an iron Buddha head, with a diameter of 3.8 meters, a height of 6.8 meters, and a weight of about 15 tons. The exterior is repaired with clay sculpture and painted, the Buddha head is hollow, originally containing sutra scrolls and treasures of the temple. This Sakyamuni Buddha head was cast in one piece from pig iron. The Buddha head has a dignified and compassionate facial expression, full cheeks, broad eyes, wide lips, and ears that hang down to the shoulders. According to its stylistic features, it is an original work from the Tang Dynasty and is the largest iron-cast Buddha head discovered in China to date. Each level of the pagoda has brick eaves that imitate wooden structures, with corridors surrounding each level, and upturned corners with hanging copper bells that ring in the wind, creating a Zen-like atmosphere. The outer walls of the pagoda above the second level are inlaid with 60 pieces of glazed relief, all depicting Buddha and stories from the Buddha's life, surrounded by mountains, trees, flowers, flowing clouds, cities, lion statues, and other patterns, making it a rare example of a Qing Dynasty glazed pagoda in China. Address: South of Drum Tower, Yaodu District, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, adjacent to Shanxi Normal University Transportation: Take bus routes 7/11/23/15/101 to Drum Tower Station Hours: 9:00-17:00 Admission: Free