2025 Yi County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in January)

Yixian Wanfo Temple Grottoes in Jinzhou are located on the north bank of the Daling River, 9 km northwest of Yixian County, Liaoning Province. As of 2015, they are the earliest and largest grottoes in Northeast China, and the northernmost and easternmost grottoes of the Northern Dynasties in China. The Wanfo Temple Grottoes were built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Due to natural weathering and disrepair, most of the grottoes have collapsed and no longer exist. They are known as a treasure trove of stone carving art in northern China and were designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 1988.

|Fengguo Temple: A Thousand-Year-Old Temple and Ancient Architectural Treasure. Fengguo Temple: A Thousand-Year-Old Temple and Ancient Architectural Treasure of the Liao Dynasty In Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning, there is a thousand-year-old temple called Fengguo Temple. This temple has stood the test of time through the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, showcasing the unique charm of Liao Dynasty architecture. Fengguo Temple was first built in the 9th year of the Kaitai period of the Liao Dynasty (1020 AD), covering an area of 60,000 square meters. Its main building, the Mahavira Hall, is over 20 meters high, standing on a 3-meter-high platform with a hipped roof, the most prestigious type of roof in ancient palaces and temples. With its massive size of over 1,800 square meters and 48 "main pillars," the Mahavira Hall is the largest single-eave wooden structure in ancient Chinese architecture. ✍🏻️The existing buildings of Fengguo Temple include: 🔸Outer Mountain Gate - modern reconstruction, 🔸Inner Mountain Gate, Paifang, Bell Pavilion, Stele Pavilion, and Hall of Heavenly Kings - all rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, 🔸Mahavira Hall from the Liao Dynasty, still preserved today, ... ⚠️⚠️⚠️Other tips ❶Ticket🎫: 50 (10 during the temple fair from the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year) ❷Opening hours⏰: 8:30–16:00, ticket sales stop at 15:30 ❸Fortune sticks: 100 for 8 sticks (7 Buddhas + 1 Guanyin), a good omen for the new year ❹With a ticket + 1, you can have vegetarian noodles ❺The staff will provide free explanations for the 100 fortune sticks. They are all locals from Yixian County and have a strong sense of mission in passing on this history, which touched me deeply ❻The entire temple is not very large, with an estimated visit time of 2 hours ❼The nearby Maolou Restaurant is good, with many local specialties ❽The Wanfo Cave and Antai Gate are poorly preserved, not on the same level as Fengguo Temple

Hey! Friend! Come to Xiya Mountain Villa in Yixian County, where treasures abound! Let's talk about the roast whole lamb first. The lamb is roasted to perfection, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Take a bite, and the aroma will make your soul tremble, as if a delicious party is happening in your mouth. Accommodation? It must be as comfortable as rolling in the clouds. Sleep here, and your dreams will be sweet. You might even dream of becoming a hero in the world of roast whole lamb! There are also wedding rooms! Newlyweds here feel like they've entered a magical house of love. The sweetness index is off the charts, ensuring the couple's love skyrockets like a rocket. Here's the highlight: iron pot stewed goose! The goose in the pot is like a group of happy swimmers, having a lively time with the side dishes. The meat is tender and delicious, making you feel like a happy foodie king. Don't hesitate, come to the first villa in the suburbs of Yixian County and start your happy journey!

Liang Sicheng called it in "History of Ancient Chinese Architecture": "Thousand-year-old national treasure, supreme national treasure, rare national treasure!" ▪️This is the first batch of national key protected cultural relics! Daxiong Hall is the only existing Liao Dynasty building in Fengguo Temple. Nine-bay main hall ✔️More than 1,800 square meters It is the largest in ancient China so far The highest-grade single-eave wooden building It is the highest level of Chinese architecture in the 11th century. Look up at the rafters There are also more than 2,300 architectural paintings All are original works from the Liao Dynasty, with full Tang Dynasty style❣️ ✔️In 1948, ✈️ dropped the 💣 to penetrate the Main Hall. The 💣 landed on the right hand of the Buddha but did not explode. The probability of the American 💣 not exploding after landing was 0 ✔️Designated as the first batch of national key cultural relics in 1961, no one dared to overturn it in the following ten years. ✔️Wong Kar-wai filmed "The Grandmaster" here in 2010 ⏰【Tour time】 April 1st to October 31st ➡️8:00-16:30, admission closed at 16:00 November 1st to March 31st ➡️8:30-16:00, admission lasts at 15:30 The entire temple occupies a small area, and the estimated visit time is 2 hours. It is recommended to find a tour guide, and you can form a group freely, 100/group 🎫【Tickets】 50/person 🚙【Transportation】 ①Self-driving: No. 18, Yixian East Street, Jinzhou City, 1.5 hours from the city ②Bus: Take the Yixian bus from Jinzhou Bus Terminal, get off and head north for 1.3 kilometers 📷【Photography tips】 Flash is not allowed inside the temple, photos are allowed but must be kept in awe🌟

I came to Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, a royal temple built in 1020 during the Liao Dynasty. The Mahavira Hall is the largest ancient hall in China, housing the world's oldest and largest clay sculpture. It represents the highest level of architecture in China in the 11th century and is one of the first national key cultural relics protection units in China. Liang Sicheng called it a thousand-year-old national treasure, a supreme national treasure. It is also the filming location of Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmaster. To fully experience Fengguo Temple, I searched through many channels before finding a way to stay at Fengguo Temple that even locals didn't know about. It's like staying in the Aman Summer Palace with a private passage to the Summer Palace. I didn't need a ticket to have a secret passage to the Mahavira Hall and could enter and exit as many times as I wanted. It was like having a Buddha view room (≖_≖). In the morning, I could see the magnificent Buddha Hall from my bed. At night, I could enjoy the night view and starry sky of Fengguo Temple alone (◍•ᴗ•◍). I could appreciate this thousand-year-old temple without being disturbed by tourists. I was immersed in it, and the shock was indescribable. The dynastic changes and wars over the past 1,004 years have not changed the layout of the Mahavira Hall. History and legend linger here. Two days and one night were not enough to appreciate the details of Fengguo Temple...ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Leave Yingkou and go to the second stop, Jinzhou, along the Binhai Highway, driving 139 kilometers and taking three hours to reach Jinzhou Galaxy Plaza. [One] Linghe Night Market: Living in the downtown area, I go straight to the nearby Linghe Night Market and Guta Night Market when I go for a night run. I am surprised and amazed by the night markets in Jinzhou! [Two] Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall: Every time I come to Jinzhou, I have to go to the Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall to relive that period of history and remember the martyrs! [Three] Ancient Pagoda Historical and Cultural Park: This is really my first time here. There are ancient buildings of Guangji Temple, Guangji Temple Pagoda of Liao Dynasty, Tianhou Palace and Guandi Temple in the park. The most impressive thing is that The Yijun Zhaozhong Temple was built for the Yijun soldiers who died in the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War! Because I had to continue my journey, I didn’t spend too much time in Jinzhou. There are still many scenic spots in Jinzhou worth visiting, and I will come here often. [○]Jinzhou City: [One] Liaoning Province governs prefecture-level cities in the southwest of Liaoning, the north coast of the Bohai Sea, and the eastern part of the Western Liaoning Corridor. The mountains within the territory are rolling, and the terrain is characterized by high northwest. [Two] Total area is 10,301 square kilometers. At the end of 2023, the city's registered population was 2.783 million. [Three] It is an important industrial city in Liaoning and a transportation hub city in Northeast China, and an important port city in Liaoning's coastal economic zone. [Four] has a history of more than 2,000 years and was first named in the Liao Dynasty. [Five] Famous attractions: Bijia Mountain, Jinzhou World Expo Park, Liaoshen Campaign Memorial Hall, Beizhen Qingyan Temple Scenic Area, Beiputuo Mountain, Fengguo Temple, Wanfotang Grottoes, Daguangji Temple Tower, Yiwulu Mountain Scenic Area, etc.

On the first day in Yixian, I didn't have time to see Guangsheng Temple Pagoda before dark. The next day, I planned to go to Beizhen. The bus was at 9:10 am, so I planned to visit Guangsheng Temple Pagoda at 8:00 am. The ticket for Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is CNY 10, but it was not open at 8:00 am. The brick pagoda is 49.9 meters high, and the base is 3 meters high. You can see most of it from outside the courtyard. 🎁🎁🎁 The standard type of Liaoning Liao Pagoda: octagonal dense-eaves solid brick pagoda, very similar in shape, with the layout of "one main deity, two attendants, three canopies, two flying deities, and the main deity sitting in the niche" on each side of the first floor of the pagoda. ✍🏻️ Guangsheng Temple Pagoda was built over a thousand years ago. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit of the seventh batch. It was originally called Jiafu Temple Pagoda. On May 1, 1980, a sutra pillar was excavated outside the south terrace of the pagoda, with the inscription: Daliao State Yizhou Guangsheng Temple, former monk, Keju, pillar record. Door resources, Huai Zhi, built. Wei Qiantong seven years Wuxun first month February 29. Therefore, it was renamed Guangsheng Temple Pagoda. ✍🏻️ Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is a Liao Dynasty brick pagoda. There is controversy about the construction date. One theory is that it was built during the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD), and another theory is that it was built in the seventh year of Liao Qiantong (1107 AD). ✍🏻️ After a thousand years of vicissitudes, the upper part of the brick pagoda is severely damaged, and the pagoda finial is no longer there. In 2012, Guangsheng Temple Pagoda was repaired, with the pagoda body and finial repaired and lightning protection devices installed. The original height of the pagoda was 42.5 meters, and it is now 49.9 meters. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an octagonal dense-eaves solid brick pagoda with thirteen floors, about 49.9 meters high. The pagoda platform is a regular octagon, with each side 6 meters long and 2.9 meters high. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is not far from Fengguo Temple and can be seen from the road. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is full of fireworks, with old houses on both sides of the alley, crisscrossing wires like a staff 🎼, arc-top bungalows, and locals like jumping notes 🎶, endlessly. ✔️ No tips, if you want to go inside, buy a ticket for CNY 10. If you don't want to go inside, it's almost the same outside. If you are taking photos with a camera, remember to bring a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens.

Hey family, today I'm taking you to a mysterious treasure in Liaoning - Fengguo Temple! 🏯🌟 Are you ready to embark on a journey through a thousand years? 🚗 [Transportation] First of all, Fengguo Temple is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. It's super convenient to drive or take the high-speed train from Shenyang. After getting off the high-speed train, you can take a taxi and arrive in about half an hour. Isn't that awesome? 🏞️ [Attractions] Fengguo Temple was built in the Liao Dynasty and has a history of a thousand years. The architecture here is simple and elegant, and every brick and tile seems to tell an ancient story. 📜 🌲 [Natural Scenery] Strolling through the temple, the ancient trees are towering and lush, as if you can hear the echoes of history. Here, you can slow down and feel the peace and tranquility. 📸 [Photo Spots] Don't forget to take a photo in front of the Mahavira Hall, where the architecture is super impressive and you can take amazing photos! 📷 🍲 [Local Food] After a long walk, don't miss the local snacks. I recommend trying the local barbecue and stews, the authentic Northeast flavor will definitely make you want more! 🏨 [Accommodation] If you want to experience it in depth, you can choose to stay in a nearby homestay for a night. The starry night sky at Fengguo Temple is a unique experience. 📅 [Best Travel Time] Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with pleasant weather and picturesque scenery. But remember to avoid holidays, as there are fewer people and the scenery is more beautiful, making for a better experience.

Jinzhou Yixian County Wanfo Cave|||Jinzhou Yixian County Wanfo Cave The cave is over 1,500 years old and is a Northern Wei Dynasty cave complex. The western cave was built by General Yuan Jing, the governor of Yingzhou during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and was a royal cave. The chief designer was Master Tanyao, who built the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes. Three years after the completion of the western cave, Han Zhen built the eastern cave. In the early days, the western and eastern caves had a total of more than 16,000 Buddha statues, hence the name Wanfo Cave (Ten Thousand Buddha Cave), and more than 400 statues remain today. Cave 6 in the western area: There is a cross-legged Maitreya (Figure 2), 3.5 meters high, carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty, an early image of Maitreya, with long cheeks, long eyebrows, thin eyes, a high nose, and thin lips. Caves 6 to 2 are connected. Cave 5: Inside is a national treasure-level Wei stele, the Yuanjing Statue Stele (Figure 4), which is valuable because the characters carved on it are standard Wei script, and the carved characters are like brush writing. Caves 2 to 4 have some remaining murals and Buddha statues, such as male flying deities (Figures 5 to 7). Cave 1: The largest central square pagoda-shaped cave from the Northern Wei Dynasty (Figure 9), the most exquisite cave in Wanfo Cave. There are 13 Buddha statues (Figure 10): vertical three Buddhas (past Buddha, present Buddha, future Buddha), horizontal three Buddhas (Medicine Buddha, Shakyamuni, Amitabha), three-body Buddha: three identities of Shakyamuni (Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya), four-faced Buddha (Tang Dynasty). Highlights of the eastern area: 1. Smiling Buddha (Figure 12), generally, Buddha statues have very few expressions, and this smiling expression is a highlight. 2. Esoteric Buddhism Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara (Figure 14), late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Each hand has an eye, reminding us that we should not be all talk and no action, but should combine action with vision. Dry-handed Avalokitesvara statues are relatively common, but Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara statues are rare. 3. Cliff carvings: Han Zhen Statue Stele inscription (Figure 13). 4. Thousand-year-old Bodhi tree (Figure 15): 1,500 years old, seven trees from the same root, with a spring underneath (Tang King Holy Water).

Fengguo Temple, a national cultural heritage site in Jinzhou, has been waiting for you for 1,004 years. Built in the 9th year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD), it is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province. Together with Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi, and Dule Temple in Jizhou, Tianjin, it is known as one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples. The temple has three wonders: Its Mahavira Hall is an original Liao Dynasty structure with a single-eave hipped roof and a building area of over 1,800 square meters. The Mahavira Hall houses seven Liao Dynasty Buddhas, all masterpieces of Liao Dynasty sculpture! Majestic and magnificent. The beams and purlins retain unique Liao Dynasty architectural paintings, totaling over 4,000 square meters, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity to the ancient temple! It is a royal temple with archaeological, painting, and sculpture cultural value; a rare gem of northern ancient architecture worth a second visit!

|A thousand-year-old national treasure in western Liaoning! 💫 Hey guys! Today, I want to strongly recommend Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning. Fengguo Temple is a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in the ninth year of Kaitai (1020 AD) for his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao. It is a genuine thousand-year-old royal temple. 💡 1. Ticket Information Tickets for Fengguo Temple are CNY 50. For this price, you can see so many precious ancient buildings and cultural relics, making it a great value. 🎫 💡 2. Transportation Guide 🚗 Self-driving: If you drive from Beijing, it takes about 5 hours to reach Jinzhou. After arriving in Jinzhou, go to Fengguo Temple in Yixian County. There is a parking lot around the temple, making parking very convenient. 🅿️ 🚌 Public transportation: If you take the high-speed train, it takes about 2 hours from Beijing to Jinzhou. After arriving in Jinzhou, you need to transfer to a bus or charter a car to reach Fengguo Temple in Yixian County. 💡 3. Recommended Attractions 1. Mahavira Hall 🛕 - This is the core building of Fengguo Temple and the largest single-eave wooden structure from ancient times. It has 9 bays in width, a total length of 55 meters, 5 bays in depth, a total width of 33 meters, a total height of 24 meters, and a building area of 1,829 square meters. The Mahavira Hall is built on a 3-meter-high platform with a hip roof, a specification only found in royal buildings, making it particularly grand. 2. Painted Clay Buddha Statues "Seven Buddhas of the Past" 🎨 - Inside the hall are the "Seven Buddhas of the Past," each over 9 meters tall, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight. The attendant Bodhisattvas in front of the Buddhas have delicate features and lifelike expressions. These statues are a perfect combination of art and history, the crystallization of ancient craftsmen's efforts. 3. Architectural Paintings 💖 - The beams and frames of the Mahavira Hall still retain more than 2,400 square meters of paintings, with particularly bright colors and exquisite patterns. These paintings give a glimpse of the impressive architectural decorations of the Liao Dynasty. 💡 4. Special Highlights Fengguo Temple is also a filming location for the game "Black Myth: Wukong." Game enthusiasts should not miss this check-in spot. 🎮 💡 5. Travel Tips 1. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the ancient temple is quite large and requires a lot of walking. 👟 2. Before visiting, you can read about the history of the Liao Dynasty and Buddhist culture to better understand the temple during your visit. 📖 3. Follow the rules of religious sites and maintain silence in the temple. 🙏

This is the only location in Liaoning where the game "Black Myth: Wukong" was filmed! It was also a filming location for Wong Kar-wai's film "The Grandmaster". As soon as you step into Fengguo Temple, you feel as though you've entered a mysterious historical time and space. The cultural relics with a history of thousands of years are simply jaw-dropping. Liang Sicheng, the father of modern Chinese architecture, called it a "millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure". Fengguo Temple is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning. It was built in the 9th year of the Kaiping era of the Liao Dynasty (1020), 1004 years ago. It is a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown! The Fengguo Temple Mahavira Hall is a miracle of Chinese wooden architecture, representing the highest level of ancient Chinese wooden architecture, and directly influenced the architectural structure of the Forbidden City. The ancient buildings exude the breath of time, and every carving seems to be telling a story from the past. The Buddha statues are tall and solemn, making people feel awe. The Fengguo Temple Mahavira Hall enshrines 7 large Buddhas over 9 meters tall. They have survived for many years and escaped several disasters, and are national treasures! "Ask the Bodhisattva why he is sitting upside down, sigh that sentient beings are unwilling to turn back." If you haven't been to Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, you must take the opportunity to go and see it, you definitely won't regret it! Here, you can truly feel the weight of history and the depth of culture. Really, this kind of shock is indescribable. ⚠️Tips: To protect the cultural relics Photography is allowed in Fengguo Temple But flash is not allowed~

Fireworks every year Morning and evening Peace every year Guangsheng Temple has three unique features: One tower, one scripture, one mural The wonders of left and right Xuan Bo Tang One tower: Feihong Glazed Pagoda was built in the Ming Dynasty; One Classic: "Zhaocheng Golden Collection" Tripitaka, the first woodcut edition of the Song Dynasty, originally stored in the National Library; A mural: Located in the Water Temple under the Guangsheng Temple, it is the only mural not with a Buddhist theme; One wonder: Planted during the Dezong period of the Tang Dynasty, the left and right spiral cypress trees, the main trunk of the cypress tree on the left rotates to the left and grows upward, and the one on the right also rotates to the right and grows upward, standing like two guardians for 1,200 years.

【Distant Hoofbeats of Liao · Fengguo Temple in Yixian, Jinzhou】 The small Yixian in Jinzhou hides a national treasure! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu, to commemorate his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the same Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply hated by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a royal temple in the true sense of the word, a millennium-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three great Liao structures still existing in China (the other two being Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple, there are the oldest existing colored clay sculptures of the Seven Buddhas in China. The Mahavira Hall is ancient and majestic, showcasing royal grandeur; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside the hall have withstood a thousand years of wind and rain and still shine brightly. Additionally, the reverse-seated Guanyin and Weituo statues from the Ming dynasty, as well as the archways and murals from the Qing dynasty, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the peak period of the Liao dynasty, and it is fortunate to have survived through hardships to this day, offering a feast for the eyes! 🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie 🎬 'The Grandmaster' Tickets🎫: Discounts available on Ctrip ⏳Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours

Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao Dynasty structures and the only one with a Seven Buddha Hall. Each Buddha is accompanied by two gracefully postured attendant Bodhisattvas, and there are also Vajra warriors standing on both sides of the hall to maintain order. Twenty-three statues, each several meters high (2.5-8.6 meters), are lined up in a grand and magnificent composition, creating an intense visual impact with their expressions of compassion, tranquility, majesty, and grace. On both sides of the hall are murals of ten Buddhas from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, which are ancient and weathered. Additionally, there are exquisite colored sculptures around the Buddha platform, and on the beams of the hall, there are Liao Dynasty flying deities heading south, who are also depicted as males with tadpole-like beards.

👍Recommended Reason: Long history, magnificent architecture, spectacular Buddha statues, and unique cultural and creative symbols. Filming location of 'The Grandmaster,' full of mystery. 📍Location: Inside Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. 🎠Must-visit Spots: Mahavira Hall, with seven large Buddhas, attendant Bodhisattvas, stone lions with unique hairstyles, etc. Also, Liao Dynasty pillars and architectural paintings. 💸Ticket Information: 50 RMB/person. ❤️Other Tips: Opening hours 8:00 - 16:30. Fewer people after 4 PM, you may encounter guides to learn more. Definitely a hidden gem.

【Distant Hoofbeats of Liao·Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou】 The small Yixian County in Jinzhou hides a national treasure! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of Liao Kaitai (1020 AD) by Liao Shengzong Yelü Longxu to commemorate his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the same Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply hated by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a true millennium-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three major existing Liao structures in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple, there are the oldest existing colored clay sculptures of the Seven Generations of Buddhas in China. The Mahavira Hall is ancient and majestic, showcasing royal style; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside the hall have endured a thousand years of wind and rain, still shining brightly. Additionally, the Ming dynasty's reverse-seated Guanyin and Weituo statues, as well as the Qing dynasty's archways and murals, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the peak period of the Liao dynasty, and it is fortunate to have been preserved through hardships to this day, offering a feast for the eyes! 🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie 🎬 "The Grandmaster" Tickets🎫: Discounts available on Ctrip ⏳Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours

Fengguo Temple, commonly known as the Great Buddha Temple, was built in the ninth year of Kaitai in the Liao Dynasty (1020). It is one of the three existing temples in the Liao Dynasty in China. Daxiong Hall, Seven Buddha statues and architectural paintings are collectively known as the "Three Wonders of Fengguo Temple". It is a royal temple that integrates archaeology, painting, sculpture and other cultural values. The construction method represents the highest level of Chinese architecture in the 11th century. It also provided a mature construction method for the future construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. In the ninth year of Kaitai in Liao Dynasty (1020), Yelu Longxu, the Holy Emperor of Liao Dynasty, built Xianxi Temple in his hometown for his mother Xiao Chuo. In the seventh year of Qiantong in Liao Dynasty (1107), Xianxi Temple added a corridor and built 120 statues of saints, of which 42 statues of saints were not completed. During the Jin Dynasty, Xianxi Temple was renamed Fengguo Temple. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuan Dynasty (1290), Fengguo Temple was affected by an earthquake, and the building walls were damaged to varying degrees. In the seventh year of Dade in the Yuan Dynasty (1303), Fengguo Temple was rebuilt. In the 14th year of Yuan Zhizheng (1354), Fengguo Temple was rebuilt. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, only Daxiong Hall remained in Fengguo Temple. During the Qing Dynasty, Fengguo Temple rebuilt the inner mountain gate, archway, bell pavilion, stele pavilion, Tianwang Hall and other buildings. In the thirty-seventh year of the Republic of China (1948), during the battle of Yixian in the Liaoshen Campaign, a bomb penetrated the roof of the Main Hall of Fengguo Temple, damaging the right hand of the statue of Sakyamuni. Daxiong Hall, also known as the Seven Buddha Hall, is the only preserved Liao Dynasty building in Fengguo Temple. The seven Buddha statues on the Buddhist altar in the Main Hall are sculptures from the Liao Dynasty. From east to west, they are Kassapa, Jusun, Shiqi, Viposhi, Vaisabhu, Kunagamuni, Sakyamuni, and the Seven Buddhas. They all sat cross-legged on the Sumeru throne. The Vipo corpse in the middle is the tallest, with a total height of 8.6 meters, and the Buddhas on both sides are slightly lower. In front of each Buddha statue are two statues of Bodhisattvas, ranging in height from 2.5 to 2.7 meters. There is a statue of the Heavenly King at each end of the Buddhist altar, 3.5 meters high. Behind the corpse of Vipo is a statue of Guanyin remodeled during the Ming Dynasty, which has the charm of the male-like Guanyin in early statues. In front of the Buddhist altar, there are seven sets of 21 stone sculptures from the Liao Dynasty. On the east and west sides of the hall, there are eleven steles of Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall Grottoes, first excavated in the 23rd year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (499 AD), is the earliest and largest grotto group in the northeastern region. Due to years of natural weathering and lack of maintenance, most of the grottoes have been damaged and collapsed, no longer existing. It is known as the treasure trove of grotto sculpture art in northern China. Currently, only more than 20 grottoes (niches) and 430 statues remain. Among them, a 3.5-meter-high cross-legged Maitreya Buddha statue in the sixth grotto is said to be sculpted in the likeness of Emperor Xiaowen, considered a masterpiece of Buddhist sculpture and the crown jewel of the 'Four Treasures of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall.' The Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties period was the most prosperous era for Chinese sculpture. The Northern Wei Empire, which once unified northern China, is also known as the 'Dynasty Carved on Grottoes.' The colorful wall carvings, Buddha statues, and lotus flying apsaras caissons of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall Grottoes are precious relics of the Northern Wei, still vivid and lifelike after 1500 years. The 'Smiling Buddha' is the most beautiful statue in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall Grottoes. Although many parts have weathered, the Buddha statue smiles from any angle, earning it the title 'Mona Lisa of the East' from experts and scholars. It is said that craftsmen of various dynasties tried to imitate it, but none could replicate such a simple, natural, subtle, and kind smile. One of the 'Four Treasures of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall,' the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin statue, is the only Ming Dynasty clay sculpture of Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin in the northeastern region. It is said that this Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue is very effective in answering prayers, and local devotees come to worship and pray for peace on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month. Behind the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Grotto, a thousand-year-old bodhi tree, the only one in the northeastern region, grows on the cliff. The tree is 1500 years old and is praised by experts and scholars as the 'northernmost, most beautiful, and oldest bodhi tree in the world.' Under the tree is an ancient well, said to have been dug by Li Shimin during his eastern expedition to Goguryeo. The well water is sweet. The 'Yuanjing Statue Stele' in the fifth grotto was handwritten by Yuanjing, the general who excavated the grottoes, in 499 AD. The inscription is vigorous and elegant, with a rigorous structure, praised by Kang Youwei as 'the best of the Northern Wei steles.' Today, the original stele is weathered and the characters are unclear.

[Liaoyuan Tiyin·Fengguo Temple in Yi County, Jinzhou] There is a national treasure hidden in the small Yi County of Jinzhou! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of Kaitai in Liao Dynasty (1020). It is a royal temple built by Yelu Longxu, the Holy Emperor of Liao Dynasty, in memory of his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the Empress Dowager Xiao who was hated by the Central Plains Dynasty). It is worthy of its name. Thousand-year-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao temples in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). The Daxiong Hall of Fengguo Temple houses the oldest existing clay sculpture of the Seventh Buddha in color. The Main Hall is simple and majestic, showing its royal style; the seven original giant Buddhas of the Liao Dynasty in the hall are still shining after thousands of years of wind and rain. In addition, the statues of Guanyin and Wei Tuo from the Ming Dynasty, and the archways and murals from the Qing Dynasty are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building during the heyday of the Liao Dynasty. It has been preserved to this day after many hardships. Fortunately, it is a feast for the eyes! 🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie🎬"The Grandmaster" Tickets 🎫: Buy online on Ctrip, with discounts ⏳Play time: 2-3 hours recommended

Fengguo Temple, located at No. 18 Dongjie, Yixian County, was first built in the ninth year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020). It was a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown. Initially named Xianxi Temple, it was renamed Fengguo Temple during the Jin Dynasty. Fengguo Temple, along with Dule Temple and Shanhuasi Temple, is known as one of the three major temples of the Liao Dynasty in China. In 1961, it was selected as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and is one of the four 'National First-Class' in Liaoning Province. In 2012, it was included in the 'China World Cultural Heritage Tentative List' and recorded in the UNESCO 'World Heritage Tentative List'. Fengguo Temple is the only surviving example of the complete layout of ancient Buddhist temple architecture in China. It was praised by Liang Sicheng as a 'millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure, and rare treasure'. During the Liao and Jin periods, the temple had a grand scale, reaching its peak in the Yuan Dynasty. Unfortunately, by the Ming and Qing Dynasties, only the Mahavira Hall remained, which has been preserved to this day. The Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple is the largest surviving Buddhist hall in ancient China and is listed among the 'Eight Great Wooden Structures of the Liao Dynasty' in China. The Mahavira Hall is built on a 3-meter-high platform, with a five-ridge single-eave hip roof. It has nine bays in width, 48.2 meters long, five bays in depth, 25.13 meters wide, and 21 meters high, with a building area of 1829 square meters. Inside the hall, there is the world's oldest and largest group of colored clay Buddha statues. From east to west, they are Kasyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, Vipasyin Buddha, Visvabhu Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha. All seven Buddhas sit on Sumeru thrones, each over 9 meters tall. The central Vipasyin Buddha is the tallest, with a total height of 9.5 meters. The 'Seven Buddhas of the Past' (Sakyamuni Buddha and the six Buddhas before his enlightenment) are uniquely enshrined together, with Sakyamuni Buddha among them, making it unique in the Buddhist world. Each Buddha has two attendant Bodhisattvas standing on either side, each 2.5 meters tall, totaling 14 statues. The Bodhisattvas are depicted in various poses, some looking up, some looking down, some standing obliquely, and some looking straight ahead, each stepping on a lotus flower. Their dignified and lifelike appearances are striking. At the east and west ends of the Buddha altar, there are statues of Heavenly Kings, each 3.5 meters tall, standing with a staff, looking majestic and powerful. Behind the Vipasyin Buddha, there is a statue of the reverse-seated Guanyin, rebuilt in the 31st year of the Ming Wanli period (1603), standing 3.8 meters tall. Besides Sudhana and the Dragon Girl, there is also an eagle and a clean bottle, hence it is also called 'Eagle Bottle Guanyin', a rare male Guanyin statue in China. In addition, there are murals on the east and west walls of the hall. Although most have been damaged, some outlines are still faintly visible. The beams and brackets inside the hall are decorated with thousands of square meters of Liao Dynasty paintings and exquisite flying apsaras. On the east and west sides of the hall, there are more than ten steles recording the history of this thousand-year-old temple. Fengguo Temple integrates elements of ancient Chinese wooden architecture, sculpture, painting, murals, stone carvings, steles, and plaques, making it a temple of ancient architecture for cultural relic enthusiasts. This weekend, I finally fulfilled my wish to visit the ancient sites of Yixian and Beizhen, gaining a lot and feeling that the trip was worthwhile.

I used to think that only distant places had scenery, neglecting the history and culture around me. Taking advantage of the holiday, I 'stoked the train and revved up the car' to see the millennium national treasure—Yixian Fengguo Temple. 👍Most recommended: Fengguo Temple, praised by Liang Sicheng as 'a millennium national treasure, a rare national treasure, the largest Liao Dynasty wooden Buddhist hall', is one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples in China. It was built by Yelü Longxu for his mother Empress Dowager Xiao (it's that period of the Yang Family Generals). The Mahavira Hall, with seven colored sculptures, represents the past seven Buddhas, symbolizing the five emperors before Yelü Longxu, plus Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelü Longxu himself. The smiling Bodhisattva in a relaxed pose; also, the 42 flying Apsaras on the beams are male; be sure to look at the base of the pillars, carved with various patterns. The Guanyin sitting behind the seven Buddhas (Picture 1) is a filming location for 'The Grandmaster', very photogenic. Jin Dynasty steles, recording the creation time as the ninth year of the Kai Tai era. Wanfo Hall Built along the Ling River, it was constructed by the General Pingdong during the Northern Wei Dynasty for Emperor Xiaowen. The cross-legged Maitreya, with draped clothing and a wide belt, is a typical Northern Wei sculpture. The flying Apsaras and lotus crowns can rival those of the Yungang Grottoes. (Picture 10) The Thousand-Handed Guanyin, a work from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The overall size is relatively small, most of it has been damaged by nature and human actions, and the restoration techniques used later are somewhat lacking. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda A Liao Dynasty octagonal dense-eave style 13-story ancient pagoda, beautifully carved, with flying Apsaras reliefs. 🚉Transportation strategy: From the bus station opposite Jinzhou Station to Yixian, (every 10-20 minutes in the morning, every 30 minutes in the afternoon) 17 yuan per person. Charter a car in Yixian to Wanfo Hall, Fengguo Temple, and Guangsheng Temple Pagoda, 90 yuan. 📝tips: You can consider staying in Yixian, as it is very convenient for food and lodging. At that time, we assumed the county town would be inconvenient and missed the Xianxi Zen Temple.

The 'Liao Dynasty Tang Style' Fengguo Temple is the most stunning stop on a trip to Northeast China. I have not yet had the chance to witness the wooden structures of the Tang and Five Dynasties period, and the oldest I have seen to date are the three Liao Dynasty temples. The shock of their ancient beauty lingers long after the visit. Fengguo Temple, located in Yixian County under the jurisdiction of Jinzhou, Liaoning, was founded in the ninth year of the Liao Dynasty's Kaibao era (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown. Liang Sicheng called the Liao Dynasty temples 'a millennium national treasure, a supreme national treasure, a rare treasure,' and referred to Fengguo Temple as 'the largest Liao Dynasty Buddhist hall.' The wooden structure of Fengguo Temple's Mahavira Hall has remained straight and sturdy for a thousand years. It is a five-ridged, single-eave shed-roof style building with a nine-bay wide front, which is an incredibly grand specification. The seven Buddha statues of the Liao Dynasty are lined up in a row, tall and majestic, and extremely magnificent, along with 14 attendant Bodhisattvas, 2 Heavenly Kings, and 21 sets of stone carved offerings. Above the beams, there are 42 Liao Dynasty colored paintings of flying Apsaras, dazzling and well-preserved, which are extremely rare examples of Liao Dynasty architectural paintings in China. There are also exquisite murals from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, including the Ten Buddhas, Eight Bodhisattvas, Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara, Eighteen Arhats, the Ming Dynasty's unique male figure Reclining Avalokiteshvara, and the Ming Dynasty wood carving of Wei Tuo, all of which are the ultimate in magnificent craftsmanship. Yixian County is rather remote, so self-driving is advisable. You can also take the opportunity to visit the easternmost grottoes in our country, the Wanfo Hall Grottoes, and the Liao Pagoda at Guangsheng Temple. By the way, are there any other ancient buildings or wooden structures in the Northeast besides the Xuanzhen Observatory?

In the vast land of China, there lies a millennium-old ancient temple—Fengguo Temple, which is not only a religious sanctuary but also a treasure where history and art converge. Today, let us embark on this journey through time and unlock those moments of brilliance that should not be missed. Must-visit attractions: A visual feast through time Upon entering Fengguo Temple, the first thing that strikes you is the awe-inspiring Seven Buddha Hall. Inside the hall, there is a group of the largest painted clay Buddha statues in China, with seven Buddhas standing at 9 meters tall, each with a compassionate face and a unique posture, as if one could hear the low chanting of Buddhist hymns from a thousand years ago. Each Buddha statue is exquisitely carved with vibrant colors, making one marvel at the ancient craftsmen's superb skills. Don't forget to look up at the exquisite murals, each stroke carrying a profound historical story, captivating visitors. Detailed address: A coordinate in history Fengguo Temple is located within Yixian County, Liaoning Province, China, with the specific address being No.1 Dong Street, Yizhou Town. It is not only a national AAAA-level tourist attraction but also a key national cultural relics protection unit, with its historical status and cultural value being self-evident. Transportation guide: Easy access, start your pilgrimage • Self-drive: Depart from Jinzhou city center, drive approximately 70 kilometers northeast along the Jinfu Expressway to reach Yixian County, then follow the road signs to Fengguo Temple. • Bus: Take a long-distance bus from Jinzhou city to Yixian County, then transfer to a local bus or take a taxi to Fengguo Temple, which is very convenient. Food recommendations: A taste of ancient charm After touring, how can one miss the local specialty foods? Try the 'Yixian Lamb Soup,' which is fresh, rich, and heartwarming; and 'Jinzhou Small Dishes,' which are sweet and sour, perfect as a meal accompaniment. Don't forget to explore the alleys of the ancient town to find traditional snacks hidden among the locals, each flavor a reminiscence of history. Recommended nearby attractions: Continue your journey of exploration • Wanfo Hall Grottoes: Not far from Fengguo Temple, it is a well-preserved treasure trove of Buddhist grotto art from the Northern Wei to Tang dynasties, with vivid stone carvings, invaluable for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist art. • Yilü Mountain Scenic Area: A place where natural beauty and cultural landscapes coexist, with beautiful mountains and rivers and numerous historical sites, it is a paradise for hikers and photography enthusiasts. Fengguo Temple is not just a temple; it is a witness of time, a bearer of culture. Here, every breath is filled with the weight of history, and every gaze is a cross-temporal dialogue with the ancients. Whether you are a devout believer or someone who loves to travel, you should not miss this dual baptism of the soul and vision. Pack your bags, and let us have an unexpected beautiful encounter with Fengguo Temple this season!

The Sculpture of Time--The 900-Year-Old Liao and Jin Dynasty Brick Pagoda Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, about one kilometer southwest of the Fengguo Temple. After visiting Fengguo Temple, you can come here to take a look. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave style brick pagoda, which was built at the end of the Liao Dynasty. Construction was halted at the fourth floor due to the war between the Liao and Jin dynasties, and it was continued during the Jin Dynasty, completing the fifth to thirteenth floors. The entire construction of the pagoda spanned two dynasties, and it is speculated that the pagoda was initially built around the seventh year of the Tianqing era of the Liao Dynasty (around 1117), with the fourth to thirteenth floors being completed after the third year of the Tiande era of the Jin Dynasty. It is most likely built for Fengguo Temple, and it is most appropriate to call it the Fengguo Temple Relic Pagoda. The Guangsheng Temple Pagoda has blue brick reliefs on each side of the pagoda body, with sculptures of seated Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, attendants, flying apsaras, treasure covers, warriors, and auspicious beasts. Despite being weathered over time, what we see is full of the traces of time.

【The Distant Sounds of Liao Hooves · Fengguo Temple in Yixian County】 A national treasure is hidden in the small Yixian County of Jinzhou! Fengguo Temple was founded in the ninth year of the Liao dynasty's Kaitai era (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao dynasty, Yelü Longxu, to commemorate his mother Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the very Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply loathed by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a royal temple and a true millennium-old ancient monastery. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing great Liao structures in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Daxiong Hall of Fengguo Temple are the oldest existing clay-colored statues of the Seven Buddhas in China. The Daxiong Hall is simple and majestic, showcasing the royal style; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside have withstood a thousand years of wind and rain and still shine brilliantly. In addition, the inverted Guanyin and Weituo statues from the Ming dynasty, the archway and murals from the Qing dynasty, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the heyday of the Liao dynasty, which has been preserved through hardships to this day, fortunately, a feast for the eyes! Ticket🎫: Purchase online on Ctrip for a discount ⏳Visiting Time: Recommended 2-3 hours

The Wanfotang Grottoes are located on the north bank of the Daling River, 9 kilometers northwest of Yixian County in Liaoning Province. As of 2015, they are the earliest and largest grotto complex in Northeast China, and also the northernmost and easternmost grotto complex among the Northern Dynasties grottoes in China. The Wanfotang Grottoes were founded during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Due to years of natural weathering and lack of maintenance, most of the grottoes have been damaged and collapsed, no longer existing. They are acclaimed as a treasure trove of stone carving art in northern China, and the Wanfotang Grottoes are also a scenic area that integrates cultural landscapes with natural scenery. In 1988, it was designated as a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Fengguo Temple made me fall in love at first sight! From the moment I saw the photo, I decided to visit. I couldn't wait for the Qingming Festival mini-holiday to rush to Yixian County in Jinzhou, where Fengguo Temple is located in this little-known small county town. When I, full of anticipation, truly stood inside the Daxiong Hall and looked up at the seven Buddha statues, the shock in my heart told me: this trip was worth it. Built in 1020, Fengguo Temple is a royal monastery constructed by Emperor Yelü Longxu of the Liao Dynasty in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown. It has a typical Han Chinese Buddhist temple layout, and the Daxiong Hall is the only remaining Liao Dynasty building in the temple, hailed by Liang Sicheng as 'a millennium national treasure, the supreme national treasure,' and is the largest existing ancient single-story wooden structure in China. The temple's mountain gate, archway, and Hall of Heavenly Kings were all rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. When it comes to 'Buddha,' most people only think of Sakyamuni, but the main hall of Fengguo Temple houses seven Buddha statues, representing Sakyamuni and the six Buddhas who appeared before him. All seven Buddhas have entered parinirvana and are thus known as the Past Seven Buddhas. The seven Buddha statues have similar sitting postures and expressions, but a closer look reveals that each has a different hand gesture, representing different aspects of Buddhist wisdom and compassion. 🔶Essence of the Daxiong Hall: 1. Architecture: A representative of the top construction standards of the Liao Dynasty, using the highest specifications of seven-layer bracket sets for Buddhist halls. The fact that we can witness this once-in-a-millennium treasure today is not unrelated to the exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous material selection of the time. 2. Liao Dynasty clay-colored Buddha statues: In addition to the seven Buddha statues, the Daxiong Hall also contains 14 Bodhisattva statues and two Heavenly King statues, all of which are fine examples of Liao Dynasty Buddhist statuary art. 3. Reversed Avalokiteshvara: Sculpted during the Ming Dynasty, it sits back-to-back with the Vipasyin Buddha among the seven Buddhas, a relatively rare male form of Avalokiteshvara. 4. Paintings and murals: The paintings on the beams of the Daxiong Hall are well preserved, with excellent depictions of flying Apsaras. There are Yuan Dynasty murals on the walls, but unfortunately, they are severely damaged and have become indistinct. 🔶Hall of Heavenly Kings: Originally built during the Jin Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. In the center of the hall, Maitreya Buddha is enshrined, flanked by Heavenly Kings holding different ritual instruments, symbolizing the wish for favorable weather. The well-preserved murals here are worth a closer look, depicting stories of Sakyamuni. Fengguo Temple Practical Information 📍Address and Transportation: No. 18 Dong Street, Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, equipped with a parking lot that charges per use. 🕑Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30 🎫Ticket Price: On-site tickets are 50 yuan, online tickets are 40 yuan, but they must be purchased at least 3 hours in advance. 🌟Tips: 1. There is a guided tour service in the scenic area, which allows for a more detailed visit. 2. The temple offers a self-service vegetarian meal, worth trying if you happen to be there at mealtime. 3. The cultural and creative shop offers stamp collection and souvenirs for purchase.

The Wanhua Cave in Yixian County is the last stop on the trip. Although Fengguo Temple is famous, it is not the oldest historical site in Yixian County. The Wanhua Cave, which was excavated in the 23rd year of Taihe of the Northern Wei Dynasty, is the more ancient Buddhist holy land. It is also the only cliff cave group in the northeast region and is known as the most northern cave in China by latitude. Upon first seeing the Wanhua Cave, one feels a sense of desolation. Due to natural weathering and lack of repairs over the years, there is little left of the collapsed caves. The remaining Buddha statues, carvings, and murals in the caves are also mostly damaged, which is heartbreaking. Although these Buddha statues, reliefs, and murals that have weathered the elements are not intact, they possess a flawed beauty that does not obscure their virtues. In comparison, the newly repaired caves nearby seem to have lost not only the old shadows of the caves due to the wind and sand but also the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient artisans. The Wanhua Cave is built on the cliffs on the north bank of the Daling River, divided into eastern and western areas due to different excavation times, with the western area being earlier and the eastern area slightly later. 🔸Eastern area highlights: 1. There are 7 existing caves, severely weathered, with the 4th cave being the largest. In the middle, a sculpture of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin is worshipped, flanked by Manjushri and Samantabhadra. The Thousand-Handed Guanyin is a clay sculpture with a golden body, and each hand has an eye carved on it, symbolizing the unity of hand and eye. 2. A Bodhi tree over 500 years old, under which water droplets fall from the cliff all year round, is regarded as sacred Bodhi water by locals. Now, one can scoop and taste the water in the cave under the Bodhi tree. 🔸Western area highlights: 1. There are 9 existing caves divided into two levels, with the first and sixth caves being relatively well-preserved. 2. The first cave is the largest central square-column cave from the Northern Wei Dynasty, with a rich collection of statues and murals inside. 3. The sixth cave houses the largest statue in the Wanhua Cave – a cross-legged Maitreya Buddha statue, standing 3.5 meters tall, which is different from the commonly seen pot-bellied Maitreya Buddha. This statue is a typical Northern Wei representation of a lean and ascetic figure. 4. The fifth cave contains a national treasure-level Wei stele – the Yuanjing Sculpture Stele, the last Wei stele in the northern cave temples. Zhou Enlai once used this stele to refute the Russian fallacy that 'territory beyond the Great Wall has never been part of China since ancient times.' 5. On the mountain connecting the eastern and western areas, there is a uniquely shaped barrel-style pagoda, built by the Ming Dynasty general Wang Kai to celebrate his mother's birthday. Practical information for Wanhua Cave 🕑Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 🎫Ticket price: 40 yuan 🚗Transportation: The straight-line distance from the cave to the county town is only 8.3 kilometers, which is not far, but the road is tough. 1. Self-driving is definitely the most convenient, but the road up the mountain is quite narrow, and traffic jams may occur during peak periods. 2. Taking a taxi is more expensive with a fixed price of 50 yuan without using the meter. Taking a taxi from the county town to the cave is even more outrageous, costing 100 yuan for a round trip, so it might as well be a 100 yuan chartered round trip. 3. At the passenger transport station, you can take the northwest loop line to the cave. There is a departure timetable when going, but no fixed time for return, so you need to call the driver to arrange.

Fengguo Temple is located within the city of Yixian in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province. It was founded in the ninth year of the Kaibao era of the Liao Dynasty (AD 1020) and encompasses ancient Chinese wooden architecture, sculpture, colored painting, mural, stone carving, stele, plaques, and more, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific value. The Fengguo Temple's Liao Dynasty Daxiong Hall is 55 meters long and 33 meters wide, with a total height of 24 meters. The architectural style is a combination of a five-ridged single-eave seven-bay hall and a pavilion-style wooden structure, which is the highest grade of ancient Chinese wooden architectural remains. In 1961, it was announced by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, in 2008 it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, in 2012 it entered the 'Chinese World Cultural Heritage Tentative List', and was included in the UNESCO 'World Heritage Tentative List'. Fengguo Temple is one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples in China, and its iconic ancient building—the Daxiong Hall—is the largest surviving ancient Buddha hall in the world, which can be called a world wonder. Inside the hall, there is the world's oldest and largest group of clay-colored Buddha statues. The hall has seven doors in the front, and inside, the main seven Buddhas sculpted during the Liao Dynasty are enshrined, from left to right they are: Kasyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, Kashyapa Buddha, Vipasyin Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha. They are majestic and spiritually transcendent, all seated on Sumeru thrones, each over 9 meters tall.