Huayan Temple in Datong from the Liao and Jin Dynasties

Huayan Temple (Entrance fee: ¥50) covers a vast area, but due to multiple wars throughout history, only two main halls remain as original structures from the Liao and Jin periods. Historically, the temple was divided into Upper and Lower Temples, each with its own gate, but they have since been merged into one. The Daxiong Baodian Hall in the Upper Temple was rebuilt during the Jin dynasty, retaining the architectural style of the Liao dynasty. It is the largest ancient Buddhist hall still standing in mainland China. The hall features three doors, including the oldest surviving "pot doors." The Buddha statues on the altar were sculpted during the Ming dynasty, while the ornate ceiling was added during the same period. The surrounding murals were painted during the Qing dynasty. The Bojia Jiaozang Hall in the Lower Temple is an original structure from the Liao dynasty. Its statues and architectural design are distinctly different from those of later periods. The Liao dynasty sculptures are characterized by their dignified and rounded forms. Inside the hall, there is a famous "Palms Together with Teeth Revealed" Bodhisattva statue, which has a graceful posture and a gentle smile. The walls of the hall feature intricately arranged two-tiered wooden pavilion-style scripture cabinets. While the other halls and the Huayan Pagoda are modern reconstructions, they were built based on the architectural styles of the Liao and Jin periods. The Huayan Pagoda is the second tallest pure wooden structure in China, after the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Its underground chamber houses relics of high-ranking monks, and visitors can climb to the top of the pagoda to enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient city. One of my travel companions mentioned that visiting the temple inspired them to learn more about Buddhist history.