Explore Ancient Architecture with Wukong: Longxing Temple in Zhengding

❤Recommended Reason: The myth of Wukong made Shanxi famous, but it wasn't until I visited Longxing Temple in the ancient city of Zhengding, Hebei, that I was surprised by its low profile. Despite being a popular spot for Ming and Qing emperors, it is not well-known. The concentration of ancient architecture here is rare in China. Longxing Temple is a famous temple outside Beijing praised by Liang Sicheng. The Reclining Guanyin was praised by Lu Xun as the "Oriental Goddess of Beauty." It is one of China's top ten famous temples and has six national records. 1. Mani Hall The layout of Mani Hall is unique, with a square hall body and a hipped roof on each side, forming a cross shape. Liang Sicheng said, "This layout, apart from the Forbidden City and the corner towers of the Purple Forbidden City, I have only seen in Song paintings." The majestic Mani Hall is a masterpiece of art and is included in the "World Architectural History." Mani Hall also houses a national treasure: Ming Dynasty murals. Although many parts are unclear due to time, the overall exquisite depiction of characters is impressive. 2. Reclining Guanyin Behind the Buddha statue, the Guanyin Bodhisattva statue is 3.4 meters high, wearing a crown and a red long skirt, with a slightly tilted head and a gentle smile. She sits facing south, back-to-back with the Buddha statue, hence the name "Reclining Guanyin." 3. Revolving Sutra Cabinet Inside is not a deity statue but a wooden structure—a revolving sutra cabinet. It is a wooden cabinet that can rotate, with a diameter of 7 meters, consisting of a base, body, and top. In the middle is a wooden shaft over 10 meters long, praised by Liang Sicheng as a "masterpiece of wooden architecture." 4. Longzang Temple Stele Known as the "ancestor of regular script" and "the first stele of the Sui Dynasty," it inherits the charm of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and opens the way for early Tang calligraphy. It plays a transitional role in the evolution from clerical to regular script. 5. Great Compassion Pavilion It houses a thousand-hand Guanyin, 21.3 meters high, the largest ancient bronze statue in China and the tallest ancient bronze statue in the world, known as the "Great Buddha Temple." This Buddha has 42 hands, with one pair clasped in front of the chest and 40 hands radiating behind, each holding a ritual object (all 40 hands were reinstalled with wooden arms during the Republic of China). It is said that each hand and eye has 25 powers, and multiplying 40 hands by 25 results in a thousand hands and eyes, hence the name "Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin." 6. Pilu Hall Originally the main hall of Chongyin Temple, one of the eight major temples in Zhengding, built during the Ming Wanli period (1573-1620). In 1959, due to the temple's dilapidation, it was relocated to Longxing Temple for protection. Inside is a Ming Dynasty bronze Pilu Buddha statue, 6.42 meters high, with three layers and four bodies connected, totaling 1,072 Buddha statues. This Buddha was made by the Ming Wanli Emperor for his mother, Empress Dowager Cisheng. It is a rare Ming Dynasty art treasure with high historical, artistic, and scientific value, a unique example in China! Longxing Temple is large and fascinating, with diverse ancient architectural styles. Take your time to explore and savor the slow pace of history! 👍Most Recommended: Every tree, brick, and corner of the temple is full of stories, so it's best to hire a professional guide.