Black Myth: Wukong Chapter 3 - Lingyan Temple, a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site

1. Historical Significance: Founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it has a history of over 1600 years. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been known as one of the "Four Great Temples in China" along with Guoqing Temple in Zhejiang, Qixia Temple in Nanjing, and Yuquan Temple in Hubei, ranking first among them. In 1982, it was announced by the State Council as the second batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In 1988, as an important part of Mount Tai, it was listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. It is a national scenic spot and one of the first 4A-level tourist areas in the country. 2. Opening Hours and Tickets: - Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 - 17:00. - Ticket Prices: Full-price ticket 40 RMB/person; minors under 18 with ID, and students with college or higher student ID can purchase half-price tickets at 20 RMB/person; active military personnel, seniors over 60 (to the exact day), disabled persons, one companion for a second-degree disabled person, holders of layperson certificates, and journalist certificates (News Agency) can enter for free. 3. Transportation Guide: - Public Transport: Take bus route 796 to Lingyan Temple (bus stop), then walk to the temple. - Self-driving: Navigate to Lingyan Temple Scenic Area, where there are parking lots around the scenic area for convenient parking. 4. Main Attractions: - Pizhi Pagoda: Originally built in the 12th year of Tianbao in the Tang Dynasty (753 AD), rebuilt in the 5th year of Chunhua in the Northern Song Dynasty (994 AD), and completed in the 2nd year of Jiayou (1057 AD), taking 63 years to finish. It is an octagonal nine-story brick pagoda, 55.7 meters high, with a stone-built octagonal base featuring relief carvings depicting stories such as King Ashoka of the ancient Indian Maurya Dynasty converting to Buddhism. The pagoda body is made of blue bricks, with each layer having eaves. The lower three layers have double eaves, and flat seats are placed under the eaves from the second to the fourth layers. The eaves and the diameter of the pagoda decrease layer by layer from bottom to top, with a well-proportioned design, making it a landmark building of Lingyan Temple. - Thousand Buddha Hall: Created by the Tang Dynasty monk Huichong, expanded during the Song Dynasty, and the existing hall was rebuilt during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. The hall features eight stone pillars and lotus-shaped column bases with vivid and smooth carvings. Inside the hall, there is a rectangular Sumeru seat with three large Buddha statues. The middle one is the Vairocana Buddha made of rattan lacquer during the Song Dynasty, the eastern one is the Lushena Buddha cast with 5000 jin of copper in the 13th year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty (1477), and the western one is the Amitabha Buddha cast in the 22nd year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1543). The hall also houses 40 Song Dynasty colored clay Arhat statues on the wall platforms, praised by the modern scholar Liang Qichao as the "First Famous Sculpture in China" for their exquisite craftsmanship, smooth lines, well-proportioned bodies, and dynamic variations. - Pagoda Forest: Located west of Lingyan Temple, it is the burial ground for high monks of Lingyan Temple throughout the ages, with 167 pagodas from the Tang to Qing dynasties and 81 epitaph stone tablets. Most pagodas are stone pagodas with different construction periods and styles, featuring relief bases with elements such as wheels, canopies, halos, and crescent moons. Among them, the Huichong Pagoda stands out, built during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty (742-756) for the high monk Huichong, retaining some styles of the Six Dynasties and Sui Dynasty, making it valuable for studying Chinese painting and sculpture art. - Three Springs: Including Zhuoxi Spring, Baihe Spring, and Ganlu Spring. Zhuoxi Spring, also known as Xizhang Spring, is said to have been created by the Zen master Fading striking the mountain rock with his staff, causing water to gush out. Baihe Spring, also known as Shuanghe Spring, is said to have been discovered by the Zen master Fading following the guidance of a woodcutter to the place where two cranes were calling. Ganlu Spring, located about a mile northeast of the temple, is known as the "First Spring of Lingyan," with water trickling out like dewdrops from a rock crevice, producing a clear and sweet sound. - Kasaya Spring: Located under the cliff east of the Wheel Repository ruins, named after an iron block resembling a kasaya beside the spring. The spring is abundant, providing the main drinking water for the temple throughout the year. 5. Recommended Tour Route: - Enter through the main gate of the scenic area, first visiting the Shanmen Vajra Hall to feel the solemn atmosphere of the temple. - Then head to the Thousand Buddha Hall to admire the Song Dynasty colored clay Arhat statues and the three large Buddha statues inside the hall, taking time to appreciate the charm of ancient sculpture art. - After visiting the Thousand Buddha Hall, proceed to Pizhi Pagoda to closely observe this unique multi-eaved pagoda structure, taking photos from different angles. - Next, visit the Pagoda Forest, strolling among the pagodas to feel the historical depth and traces of time, learning about the stories of high monks and the inheritance of Buddhist culture. - Finally, explore the Three Springs and Kasaya Spring, experiencing the beauty of the mountains and waters of Lingyan Temple, and tasting the clear and sweet spring water.