Shanhua Temple

Shanhua Temple, commonly known as Nansi, is located at No. 6 Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. According to temple inscriptions: it was originally built during the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era and was called Kaiyuan Temple. It was renamed Dapu'en Temple during the Five Dynasties' Later Jin period. The temple was extensively repaired and rebuilt under the supervision of Monk Yuanman during the Jin Dynasty. In the tenth year of the Zhengtong era (1445), Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty bestowed the name Shanhua Temple, which has been used ever since. The main structures of Shanhua Temple are aligned along the central axis, facing south from the north, and unfold in succession, with each layer rising above the last. At the front is the Mountain Gate, followed by the Hall of Three Saints, both built during the Jin Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty's remaining structure, the Mahavira Hall, is situated on a high platform at the rear, flanked by the Eastern and Western Duo Halls. To the east is the site of the Shuge Pavilion, and to the west is the Puxian Pavilion, built in the second year of the Jin Dynasty's Jinyuan era (1154). Apart from the Heavenly Kings Hall (Mountain Gate), Hall of Three Saints, Mahavira Hall, and Puxian Pavilion, which are Liao and Jin Dynasty constructions, the remaining side halls and the Bell and Drum Towers were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple houses 34 Jin Dynasty statues, 190 square meters of Qing Dynasty murals, 9 Ming Dynasty statues, 2 Jin Dynasty steles, and 3 steles from Ming and Qing Dynasty renovations. Geographical location: No. 6 Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province The Four Heavenly Kings at the gate of Shanhua Temple: Ming Dynasty statues with somewhat amusing expressions, known as the 'Four Prominent Sights'. Mr. Liang Sicheng once highly praised: 'Unexpectedly, within a single temple, so many precious cultural relics are obtained, which was beyond the initial expectations.' This speaks volumes about the high historical status of Shanhua Temple.