The Millennium National Treasure Journey of Guangsheng Temple in Linfen

The Rainbow Tower shines brilliantly under the sunlight, with colorful glazed components resembling a rainbow spanning ancient and modern times. Each piece of glazed tile seems to tell an ancient story. Guangsheng Temple is located in Hongtong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. It was first built in the first year of Jianhe in the Eastern Han Dynasty (147 AD), with a history of nearly 1900 years. This millennium-old ancient temple is named for being "vast as the sky, famous throughout the world." It is a national AAAA-level scenic spot and one of the first batch of national key cultural relic protection units. 🏛️ The Three Wonders of Guangsheng: Cultural Treasures Not to Be Missed 1. Feihong Tower - The World's Tallest Multicolored Glazed Tower Feihong Tower was built during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. It stands 47.31 meters tall with 13 floors and is the most complete and exquisite glazed tower remaining in China. The tower body is decorated with yellow, green, and blue tri-colored glazed tiles. The first three floors are the most delicate, with dougong brackets, Buddha statues, bodhisattvas, vajras, flowers, coiled dragons, birds, and beasts under the eaves. These components and patterns are finely crafted and vividly painted, retaining their fresh colors to this day. Special Note: The episode "Sweeping the Tower to Clear False Accusations" from the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West" was filmed here, making it a landmark building of Guangsheng Temple. 2. "Zhaocheng Jin Cang" - The National Library’s Treasure "Zhaocheng Jin Cang" is the woodblock edition of the Song Dynasty Tripitaka "Kaibao Canon." It is the only copy in the world and is considered one of the four national treasures of the National Library, alongside the "Yongle Encyclopedia," "Siku Quanshu," and "Dunhuang Manuscripts." During the War of Resistance, patriotic monks of Guangsheng Temple and the Eighth Route Army jointly wrote a heroic chapter in protecting the "Zhaocheng Jin Cang." 3. Yuan Dynasty Murals in the Water God Temple - A Scroll of Yuan Dynasty Social Life The Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple focus on praying for rain, bringing rain, and offering to the gods. Among them, the Yuan Dynasty theatrical mural "Da Xing San Le Zhong Du Xiu Zai Ci Zuo Chang" is the only large-scale Yuan Dynasty theatrical mural discovered in China. It holds extremely high historical and artistic value and is included in Chinese history textbooks. 🗺️ Tour Route Planning Classic One-Day Tour Route Morning: Visitor Center → Take sightseeing bus to Upper Temple → Feihong Tower → Amitabha Hall → Mahavira Hall → Tianzhongtian Hall → Dizang Hall Afternoon: Take sightseeing bus to Lower Temple → Water God Temple (focus on Yuan Dynasty murals) → Huo Spring → Fen Shui Pavilion → Return to Visitor Center Recommended Visit Duration Upper Temple: about 1.5-2 hours Lower Temple and Water God Temple: about 1.5 hours Whole trip: recommend reserving 3-4 hours 🎫 Tickets and Transportation Information Ticket Prices Type Price Applicable Group Adult Ticket 70 RMB Ages 18-60 Senior Ticket 35 RMB Ages 60-65 Child/Student Ticket 35 RMB Ages 6-18 and full-time students Seniors over 65 Free With valid ID Military personnel, disabled persons Free With valid ID Sightseeing Bus: 10 RMB one way, 20 RMB round trip (recommended purchase, Upper Temple is on the mountain) Transportation Guide Self-driving: Exit Mingjiangkou on Jingkun Expressway → National Highway 108 → Guangsheng Temple Scenic Area Exit Hongtong East on Jingkun Expressway → Tourism Road → Guangsheng Temple Scenic Area Public Transport: Take bus 301 from Linfen city to Hongtong Railway Station, then transfer to bus 21/22 to Guangsheng Temple There is a direct tourist shuttle from Hongtong West Station to Guangsheng Temple (departures at 9:30 and 10:00) 💡 Practical Tips Best Visiting Time Opening Hours: Summer 8:00-18:30, Winter 8:00-17:30 Best Seasons: Spring and autumn, with pleasant climate Recommended Time: 9:00-11:00 AM for the best lighting, ideal for photography Photography Tips Feihong Tower’s colors are most vivid under sunlight, recommended to shoot in the morning Water God Temple murals have dim lighting; bring a flashlight for supplementary light Flash photography is prohibited to protect the relics Nearby Attractions Recommended Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree Ancestral Root-Seeking Park: about 30 minutes by car Su San Prison: Ming Dynasty prison ruins Yao Temple: Temple dedicated to Emperor Yao 🍜 Food Recommendations Steamed Rice: local specialty staple food Bogo: traditional pastry Crispy Meat Noodles: Shanxi specialty noodles Guangsheng Temple