This unassuming Ming Dynasty Bai ethnic temple houses unique murals

After this somewhat disappointing visit to Shaxi, I still think the national treasure Xingjiao Temple, located in the center of the ancient town, is well worth it. After all, it is especially difficult to preserve wooden ancient buildings in the humid and rainy climate of the South. Xingjiao Temple was founded in the 13th year of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 600 years. Moreover, it is the only remaining Ming Dynasty Bai ethnic 'Awangli' Buddhist temple today. When I went there, it was already close to dusk, not many people, but it was also not far from closing time, so the whole visit was a bit rushed. The existing layout of Shaxi Xingjiao Temple consists of one entrance and three courtyards, composed of ancient opera stages, mountain gates, Guanyin buildings, the second hall, and the main hall. The ancient opera stage can be regarded as one of the symbols of Shaxi Ancient Town. As the most characteristic wooden structure on Sifang Street, it is a three-eaved pavilion building. At the top of the opera stage, you can see exquisite reliefs and colorful Bagua patterns. Although it has been repaired later, it still retains the original architectural style. When I went there, there were quite a few art students sketching under the stage, and the unique shape was also shining in the children's drawings. Opposite the ancient opera stage is the mountain gate, with the fierce-looking Hengha Erjiang statues standing on both sides, quite majestic. It feels like they are not the original works, but their elegant postures have a kind of charm that seems to leap out. The main hall and the second hall of Xingjiao Temple are one of the few important Ming Dynasty buildings in western Yunnan. The former is a Xieshan-style five-back top, and the latter is a double-eaved Xieshan-style nine-back top, with dougong brackets and flying corners on both the upper and lower eaves. However, the important reason why Xingjiao Temple was selected as a national treasure is not only the Ming Dynasty wooden structure, but the 16 murals hidden under the wooden eaves outside the hall. This group of murals was painted in the 15th year of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, said to be by the hands of Bai ethnic painters from Jianchuan, such as Zhang Bao. The subjects are extensive, the characters are numerous, the shapes are vivid, the images are realistic, the lines are smooth, the colors are brilliant, and they integrate Buddhist stories with secular life, full of mythological atmosphere and ethnic style. However, to be honest, if I hadn't done my homework beforehand, it would be very easy to miss these murals because they are indeed quite severely damaged. Some of them, if not looked at carefully, are completely unclear. Fortunately, there is a side hall next to it with a special display for these murals. Through their vivid and exquisite lines, one can glimpse the characteristics of early Tantric paintings in Yunnan, and even see some of the graceful legacy of Tang and Song dynasty paintings. Among these 16 murals, the 'Namo Jiangmo Shijia Rulai Hui' deserves special attention. It is said to be a rare mural of the female Sakyamuni in China, and this female Sakyamuni can only be seen here. 🏠Name | Shaxi Xingjiao Temple 🎫Ticket | Free ⛳Address | Sideng Street, Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture 🚗Transportation | Navigate to 'Shaxi Xingjiao Temple'