Huayan Temple

The principle of dependent origination, the ancient temple in the clouds, embodies the Huayan Sutra. To get to the ancient city of Datong, navigate to Qingyuan Gate and walk 500 meters to arrive. The off-season ticket price is 40 yuan, and during peak season it's 50 yuan. Group ticket purchases require one person's ID card. Huayan Temple is located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Datong, founded in the seventh year of the Liao dynasty's Chongxi era (1038 AD). The temple faces east and is laid out along two main north-south axes, with over 30 individual buildings including the mountain gate, Puguangming Hall, Daxiong Treasure Hall, Baojiao Scripture Depository, and Huayan Pagoda. The temple complex covers an area of 66,000 square meters and is one of the earliest and best-preserved Liao and Jin dynasty temple complexes in China. It was declared a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council in 1961. Historical records show that the Huayan school of Buddhism was prevalent during the Liao dynasty. Emperor Daozong personally wrote a ten-volume praise for the 'Avatamsaka Sutra' and had the entire 'Khitan Tripitaka' of 579 volumes carved and printed. These were placed in the Baojiao Scripture Depository of the Great Huayan Temple in the Western Capital, and stone and bronze statues of various emperors were 'reverently installed' within the temple, making the Great Huayan Temple a royal ancestral temple. By the end of the Liao dynasty, seven or eight out of ten temple buildings had been destroyed by war. The Jin dynasty rebuilt the temple on the same site, and by the early Yuan dynasty, it was still a grand temple in the clouds. During the Xuande and Jingtai years of the Ming dynasty, the temple was extensively renovated, Buddha statues were re-sculpted, and it flourished once again. From the mid-Ming dynasty onwards, the temple was divided into upper and lower sections, each with its own mountain gate and distinct layout, hence the terms 'Upper' and 'Lower' Huayan Temple. The temple suffered further damage in the early Qing dynasty, and although repairs were made in the early years of Emperor Kangxi's reign, its former glory was not restored. In 2008, Datong City launched a famous city revival project. Based on the records of the 'Golden Stele' in the temple, a huge investment was made to carry out large-scale renovations of Huayan Temple, restoring the grandeur of the Liao and Jin period. This northern Buddhist temple, which flourished during the Liao and Jin dynasties in the Western Capital, houses buildings, statues, scripture depositories, murals, flat ceilings, and caisson ceilings. With its long history, vast scale, and exquisite craftsmanship, it is known as the Liao and Jin Art Museum. The main hall, Daxiong Treasure Hall, was originally built in the eighth year of the Liao dynasty's Qingning era (1062 AD) and was rebuilt on the same site in the third year of the Jin dynasty's Tianjuan era (1140 AD). It is nine bays wide and covers an area of 1,559 square meters, making it the largest Buddhist hall from the Liao and Jin period still in existence in China. The Baojiao Scripture Depository was built in the seventh year of the Liao dynasty's Chongxi era (1038 AD). It is five bays wide, and inside, along the walls, there are 38 small wooden scripture cabinets arranged in a multi-story style, as well as five 'Heavenly Palace' cabinets. The craftsmanship is ingenious and exquisite, and it was praised by the famous architect Liang Sicheng as a 'unique treasure in China'. The central Buddha altar in the hall is adorned with 31 clay sculptures from the Liao dynasty, which are considered masterpieces of Liao sculpture. The smiling, clasped-hands bodhisattva is particularly lifelike, and the historian Zheng Zhenduo praised it as the 'Venus of the East'. The Huayan Pagoda is the second-largest pure wooden mortise-and-tenon structure pagoda in China after the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It stands 43 meters tall with a golden disc on top and a lotus pond below. Particularly notable is the Thousand Buddha Crypt beneath the pagoda, which spans nearly 500 square meters and is made of 100 tons of pure copper. It houses the relics of high monks and a thousand Buddha statues, shining with golden splendor. It is unique in the country and exemplifies the perfect combination of tradition and reality.

Datong is a great weekend getaway destination for people from Beijing, Tianjin, and the surrounding areas. This time, taking advantage of the workday plus the off-season double buff, the experience concludes: Datong is worth a special trip! 🎈 Yungang Grottoes: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The murals and Buddha statues of the four major grottoes are unparalleled, and a thousand-year dialogue makes the trip worthwhile. Special reminders: 1. The grottoes open at 9 am, don't go too early or you'll freeze! It's still quite cold in the morning now. 2. Tickets are 100, half-price for students at 50, make sure to bring your student ID. 3. The museum is not open. 4. Yungang Grottoes mini-program, search will redirect to Lijiang guide, which automatically explains based on your geographical location. 5. Generally, photography inside the caves is not allowed. 🎈 Huayan Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tickets are 35. A thousand-year-old temple, the moment you step into the Mahavira Hall, you will definitely feel that the trip was worth it. You can climb to the top of the Huayan Pagoda! The underground palace contains relics, and the history of the Tripitaka is the oldest! 🎈 Shanhua Temple: Recommendation Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An ancient architectural complex with a hundred years of history, the Tang Dynasty style will refresh your senses, as if the heyday of the Tang Dynasty was just yesterday. 🎈 Ancient City Wall⭐️⭐️⭐️ Following the principle of 'since we're here, let's do it', if you have enough energy, go up and take a look. The sightseeing car is not necessary. 🎈 Nine Dragon Screen⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Old stuff, very big! Free! 🎈 Fahua Temple⭐️⭐️⭐️ Free! The front is beautiful, the inside is new, come out in 5 minutes. 🚞 Itinerary: Day1, Yungang Grottoes — Huayan Temple — Lunch (Zini 369) — Shanhua Temple — Ancient City Wall — Nine Dragon Screen — Fahua Temple — China Sculpture Museum — Dinner at Longjuxiang Day2, Follow a one-day group tour, Hanging Temple — Hengshan — Yingxian Wooden Pagoda — Datong City Area — Dinner at Xijindao 🌳 Some suggestions: 1. Datong is really worth a detailed visit, if you have enough time you can go to a few more attractions. 2. The overall cost of living in Datong is low, and the local customs are simple. The phenomenon of overcharging tourists should not be too serious. In particular, jaywalking is a serious issue in Datong, so pay attention to traffic safety. 3. Besides the Yungang Grottoes, I highly recommend Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda! They are truly ancient buildings that have stood for a thousand years, friends, what else can you say but 'impressive'? 4. The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda I visited with a group included a guide, and I think this is the attraction that most deserves a guided tour! If you go there on your own, be sure to hire one, because the guide will explain in great detail and make you feel passionate and slightly regretful. 5. For Hengshan, take the bus to the mid-mountain and then climb up. It takes one hour to climb up and 40 minutes to come down. To be honest, the scenery is just average. 6. Personally, I feel that the 100 ticket for the Hanging Temple is a bit expensive, and going up just means being pushed around by the crowd. 🌳 Shanxi may not have a high profile, but it is truly worth a visit. You will feel the charm of ancient Chinese architecture, and it will definitely leave you with lasting memories!

Every time Datong Huayan Temple is mentioned, one thinks of the "Smiling Bodhisattva," and the largest Mahavira Hall in the country is also located here. ⏰: 8:30～17:00 💰: 40 yuan 🏛: Xia Si Po Street, Datong Ancient City 📍: First batch of national protected units 🌟: Liao-Jin colored sculptures, celestial pavilions, and small woodwork Huayan Temple was founded in the seventh year of the Liao Dynasty's Chongxi era (1038 AD) and was named after the "Avatamsaka Sutra." It was destroyed in wars and rebuilt in the third year of the Jin Dynasty's Tianjuan era (1140 AD). During the mid-Ming Dynasty, it was divided into upper and lower temples. The temple faces west to east, with main structures including the mountain gate, Puguangming Hall, Mahavira Hall, Bojiao Scripture Hall, and Huayan Pagoda. Among them, the Mahavira Hall and Bojiao Scripture Hall are the essence of the temple and are the only remaining Liao-Jin structures. The Mahavira Hall, the main building in the upper temple, faces west to east and uses a reduced column method. It is nine bays wide and five bays deep, a Jin Dynasty structure, and is the largest existing Mahavira Hall in China. The hall is situated on a tall base, with a 4.5-meter-high chiwen (ornamental ridge beast) at each end of the roof. Inside, the Five Directional Buddhas are enshrined, re-decorated during the Ming Dynasty with Lamaist figures, and flanked by attendant Bodhisattvas. On both sides of the hall are twenty Devas, all Ming Dynasty colored sculptures, leaning forward about 15 degrees to show respect for the Buddha. This angle also effectively prevents dust accumulation. The twenty Devas have different expressions and postures, whether dignified, scholarly, gentle, fierce, or ferocious. Whether it's the wrathful eyes of a Vajra or the lowered brows of a Bodhisattva, they all have a vivid brilliance. There are also huge Qing Dynasty murals around the hall, mainly depicting Buddhist stories. ⭐️The Bojiao Scripture Hall, 'Bojiao' being an abbreviation for 'Buddha' and 'Scripture Hall' referring to Buddhist scriptures, has been Huayan Temple's scripture hall since the Liao Dynasty. The existing celestial pavilions used for storing scriptures are still present, exquisitely crafted and very precious. The hall faces west to east, is five bays wide and four bays deep, with chiwen on the roof from the Liao and Jin periods. The caisson ceilings and murals inside are original Liao artifacts, and apart from a few Ming and Qing restorations, twenty-nine Liao Dynasty statues are well-preserved. Enshrined inside are Buddhas of the Three Times, Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions, Arhats, etc., with gold-plated faces and crowns, each with a different demeanor and vivid image, both solemn and imbued with the breath of human life. The most famous is the Smiling Bodhisattva, delicately carved, hands joined in a gentle smile, graceful and touching, known as the "Venus of the East." Also, don't miss the flat caisson ceiling at the top of the hall, with its lifelike flying apsaras. 📖The temple's orientation from west to east is a unique architectural custom of Liao Dynasty Buddhist temples, stemming from the Khitan people's practice of ghost worship and sun reverence, considering the east as supreme. Huayan Temple's unique style and exquisite architecture hold an important place in the history of Chinese architecture. When visiting Datong, one must come here to experience the thousand-year-old Liao-Jin art atmosphere and gaze into the eyes of the Smiling Bodhisattva, a thousand years in a glance!

| Ancient temple murals, linger on. Huayan Temple in Datong, admire the beauty of Liao and Jin architecture, Huayan Temple, a famous ancient temple that you must visit once. When you really get close to the ancient buildings, you are immersed in the beautiful murals, the breath of history hits you in the face, and you can't calm down for a long time. The Liao and Jin dynasties, which were lightly described in history, can also glimpse the once prosperous and strong in this huge temple. Huayan Temple was built in the seventh year of Liao Zhongxi, and was named according to the Mahayana doctrine of 'the flower of compassion, must bear the fruit of solemnity' in the Buddhist scriptures 'Huayan Sutra'. Inside Huayan Temple, there are nearly a thousand years old buildings like the Great Buddha Hall, and the murals inside the hall are precious cultural relics. Ancient temple murals, it's worth the trip. In 2009, professors from the Central Academy of Fine Arts led students to redraw here, and the replication level is very high. The most impressive is the Water Moon Guanyin in Figure 7. The veil under the brush seems to be able to see the veil rising in front of your eyes in an instant~ Every step in the temple is a scene, and every step is worth a careful look. When you walk into the temple, the faint sound of bells and birds, in this quiet temple, it seems to hear the sound of horse hooves a thousand years ago, and feel its peace after thousands of years and several ups and downs. 📍: Huayan Temple 🎫: Adult ticket 50 yuan, but the Apple system cannot be purchased online, can be purchased on site. ⏰: 8:30～18:00 (Evening time is a bit crowded, around noon should be less people) 📕: One day strategy, go to Datong Museum first, then go to Huayan Temple, and finally watch the sunset on the city wall 🚗: It takes about half an hour to get to various attractions in the city, and you can walk from Huayan Temple to the city wall.

Until I came to Shanxi to see the cultural relics on the ground of Shanxi Compared to natural landscapes, historical and cultural landscapes are more likely to shock people's hearts. The aftereffect of this trip to Shanxi is really strong As the province with the most and best-preserved cultural relic buildings, every ancient architectural site in Shanxi really gives a solid cultural impact Every corner here is worth our heartfelt experience. Below I recommend several absolutely beautiful spots in Shanxi, make sure to like and save! Huayan Temple A well-preserved Liao and Jin dynasty architectural complex, it is one of the only three remaining Liao dynasty temples in China, with magnificent and exquisite murals, and the solemn and dignified ancient temple is the best travel destination to experience ancient culture and art Shanhua Temple Also a Liao and Jin dynasty temple, the temple is quiet and peaceful, with the Hall of Three Saints and the Four Heavenly Kings, and a garden within the temple Ying County Wooden Pagoda A millennium architectural marvel in Datong, the entire wooden pagoda was built without a single nail or iron, standing tall for a thousand years using traditional mortise and tenon craftsmanship. Now the pagoda is increasingly leaning and only the first floor is open for visitors, and eventually, it is destined to collapse, so you must come and see! Yungang Grottoes One of the four major grottoes in China located in Datong, Shanxi, the grottoes stretch for a kilometer along the mountain and were excavated by the Northern Wei royal family, with a strong historical background Jinci Temple in Taiyuan Jinci is the only architectural complex that combines the essence of Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty architecture and is known as the 'Museum of Chinese Ancient Architecture'. It is a museum of a thousand years of historical traces. Visiting Jinci in Taiyuan, you might lose interest in other museums! Taiyuan Ancient County Town The filming location of the movie 'Man Jiang Hong', taking photos on the city wall overlooks the entire ancient city atmosphere Pingyao Ancient City A two-thousand-year-old ancient city, it is one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, with its Jin merchant culture and ancient buildings fascinating everyone Shuanglin Temple Exquisite colored sculptures, the ancient art colored sculptures of Shanxi are among the most exquisite in China. Shuanglin Temple preserves various Buddha and Arhat colored sculptures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple is simple and solemn, and you must come to experience it! If possible, consider hiring a guide for your visit, as you might not feel the cultural heritage just by looking. A guide's explanation can make you feel a lot!

Huayan Temple is located in the western part of Datong City, Shanxi Province. With its towering halls and majestic presence, it is one of the important temples of the Huayan sect during the Liao and Jin dynasties in China. Currently, the upper and lower temples are connected as one entity, yet each centers around its own main hall. The upper temple is centered around the Jinkai Daxiong Treasure Hall, divided into two courtyards, with a mountain gate, a passing hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Ksitigarbha Pavilion, and two winged corridors. Operating Hours Peak Season (April 1st to October 31st): 8:30 to 17:30; Off-Season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year): 8:30 to 17:00. Transportation Bus: Take bus number 18 and get off at Huayan Street station. Free Admission Period (currently not free) From July 14, 2020, to December 31, Datong's Huayan Temple scenic area offers free admission to tourists nationwide from Monday to Friday during working days. Weekends and public holidays are charged normally. Ticket Prices: Peak Season: (April 1st to October 31st every year) Full price ticket 50 RMB/person, half price ticket 25 RMB/person; Off-Season: (November 1st to March 31st of the following year) Full price ticket 40 RMB/person, half price ticket 20 RMB/person.

Day1: Shanghai-Taiyuan Shanxi Museum, Coal Museum, Bell Tower Street, Food Street Recommendation: Gold Silk Beef Pie, God Fried Chicken. Stay in Taiyuan Day2: Jinci Museum, Taiyuan Ancient County. Stay in Taiyuan Day3: Yanmenguan, Yungang Grottoes. Stay in Datong Recommendation: Purple Mud 369 Coarse Grain Record (The waitress is very enthusiastic, every dish we ordered is very generous and super delicious) Day4: Huayan Temple, Nine Dragon Wall, Datong Ancient City Wall, Ying County Wooden Tower, Hanging Temple, Wutai Mountain East Terrace. Stay in Wutai Mountain (Wutai Mountain East Terrace climbed half, saw the sunset, and there are many cows! The scenery is too beautiful! Be sure to rent a military coat, because it's really cold in the evening) Day5: Wutai Mountain Shuxiang Temple-Wuye Temple-Tayuan Temple-Xiantong Temple-Bodhisattva Top-Dailuo Top, watch 'See Pingyao Again'. Stay in Pingyao Ancient City ('See Pingyao Again' is really amazing! So good-looking! The immersive experience completely immerses people in the plot) Recommendation: Vegetarian Dicos Day6: Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao's Grand Courtyard, return to Taiyuan at night Recommendation: Tianyuan Kui (The boss is too enthusiastic, poured a lot of vinegar for us to taste, I like the concubine vinegar, gold vinegar and persimmon vinegar the most), Mr. Liang (The refrigerator stickers are so good-looking! Vinegar ice cream is very exciting) If you have time, you can also take some photos. Day7: Jin Merchant Museum, Double Tower Temple, return to Shanghai at night There are several Chinese-style afternoon teas in the Jin Merchant Museum, all of which are very delicate. Shanxi is definitely an underestimated treasure place. The people in Shanxi we met this week are really very hospitable and enthusiastic. Using Dong Yuhui's words, 'Time seems to favor this land of Shanxi, so it leaves many traces of its past here.' Only by coming here in person can you feel its unique charm. Because each place is far apart, it is recommended to charter a car to go!

Shanxi Datong! Truly shocked by the 'Chinese aesthetic' of our ancestors! As the saying goes, 'For ground relics, look to Shanxi,' Shanxi boasts numerous Buddhist temples that have stood for over a thousand years, truly a spiritual homeland for ancient architecture enthusiasts! Shanxi·Datong is like a great hero who is modest about his skills and reputation, you will never understand her unless you get close! Transportation: You can choose to fly directly to Datong Yungang Airport, or fly to Taiyuan and then take the high-speed train 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary Recommendation: Day1: Datong Ancient City - Shanhua Temple - Huayan Temple — Yungang Grottoes Day2: Tulin - Yong'an Zen Temple - Hanging Temple Day3: Datong Art Gallery - Datong Museum

1⃣️ Head to Renji Qizhong Knife-Cut Noodles 🍜 for a bowl of local breakfast knife-cut noodles. Although I, as an outsider, find the topping a bit salty, the noodles are quite chewy. Renji Qizhong Knife-Cut Noodles (Main Store) 2⃣️ The Avatamsaka Sutra says: 'The flower of compassion will bear the fruit of magnificence.' This is the origin of the name of Datong's ancient Huayan Temple. Visit Huayan Temple and take a photo 📷 with the nearly thousand-year-old murals inside the Mahavira Hall. Huayan Temple 3⃣️ Visit Shanhua Temple and gaze into the eyes of the Great Auspicious Merit Sky, feeling the ease and composure within its serene temperament; take a look at the four prominent Heavenly Kings statues at Shanhua Temple, the depiction of their eyes is quite on point. Shanhua Temple 4⃣️ Go to the Nine Dragon Wall scenic area to appreciate the treasure of ancient Chinese architectural art, a symbol of royal power. Datong's Nine Dragon Wall is known as 'the foremost among Nine Dragon Walls,' featuring centuries-old colored glaze and exquisite sculpting skills. Nine Dragon Wall 5⃣️ Stop by Zini 369 for a serving of yellow rice jelly cake with dried plum vegetable chicken wings. The sticky texture of the yellow rice jelly cake, paired with the sweet osmanthus sauce, is truly delightful!! Dried plum vegetable lovers should not miss the dried plum vegetable chicken wings, the unique aroma of the dried plum vegetable adds a novel combination to the chicken wings. Zini 369 Coarse Grain Season (Drum Tower Store) 6⃣️ Choose a day 🚗 to hire a car to Ying County and Hunyuan, standing in front of the Ying County Wooden Pagoda, the shock still lingers in my memory. As a nail-less mortise and tenon structure wooden pagoda, it has miraculously stood for nearly a thousand years despite being shot through by bullets and the ignorant act of window replacement; after viewing the wooden pagoda, walk to the Pure Land Temple to see the double dragon double-layer caisson. Ying County Wooden Pagoda Pure Land Temple 7⃣️ In Hunyuan, have a bowl of 'Little Wife's Cold Noodles' with stuffed pies and smoked eggs. Wife's Cold Noodles Little Wife's Cold Noodles (Hunyuan Store) 8⃣️ Visit Hunyuan to experience the visual shock of the murals at Yong'an Temple, especially the mural of the Ten Great Wrathful Kings in the Dharma Transmission Hall on the north wall, among which the image of the 'Great Mighty Virtue Immovable King' with blue face and red hair, and fierce expression, left the deepest impression on me. Yong'an Temple South Courtyard 9⃣️ Walk from Yong'an Temple to Yuanjue Temple to see the Shakyamuni Relic Brick Pagoda standing within the temple. Its pagoda spire is China's ancient famous wind-vane instrument - the wind-vane bird, a unique and unparalleled treasure. Remember to follow the sound of the pagoda bell and circle the pagoda three times with the time before leaving, and everything will go smoothly after completing the circles. Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda 1⃣️0⃣️ Visit the Datong Museum to see the prominent tomb-guarding creatures, the exaggerated expressions on their faces are somewhat adorable. Datong Museum 1⃣️1⃣️ Visit the Yungang Grottoes to see an important type of ancient Chinese architecture - the cave temple architecture, and take a look at Teacher Wang Nan's 'World Architecture Museum.' Yungang Grottoes 1⃣️2⃣️ Finally, end your trip in Datong with a bowl of Dongfang Shaved Noodles, which compared to Renji, has a lighter topping that better suits the general public's taste. Dongfang Shaved Noodles (Playground City Street Store)