The Legend of the Millennium Ancient Temple: Da Xiangguo Temple

Da Xiangguo Temple features a traditional Chinese axial symmetrical layout, preserving a strong architectural style from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It consists of the mountain gate, bell and drum towers, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, octagonal glazed hall, scripture storage tower, and the master's hall. ☀ The bell and drum towers of Da Xiangguo Temple, with the bell tower to the east and the drum tower to the west, symbolize the peace and security of the nation with the morning bell and evening drum. The bronze bell hanging in the bell tower is a relic from the 33rd year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1768), inscribed with the sixteen-character motto: 'The Dharma wheel turns eternally, the imperial diagrams are forever stable, the imperial way flourishes, the Buddha's light grows brighter.' The bell's sound is loud and beautiful, especially when struck on frosty autumn and winter days, its clear and far-reaching tone echoes throughout the city, earning it the reputation of 'Da Xiangguo's Frost Bell,' and it is one of the eight scenic spots of Bianjing. 🌈 Inside the Mahavira Hall, there is a gigantic bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, weighing 400 kilograms and standing 4.3 meters tall. The hall is majestic and known as 'the number one hall in the Central Plains.' 🔥 The octagonal glazed hall houses a 'Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Buddha,' one of the thirty-two manifestations of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and is the treasure of Da Xiangguo Temple. ☄ The scripture storage tower enshrines an exquisitely carved Buddha niche, with a magnificent and compassionate white jade statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The white jade, originating from Myanmar, is translucent and lustrous, with a vivid design sculpted by Burmese artisans, giving it an exotic appearance. The Buddha statue was donated by a Singaporean monk. On both the east and west sides of the tower, there are wooden staircases with more than 40 steps leading up to the tower, where the Qianlong edition of the Tripitaka is stored. 📌TIPS: 📍 Location: Search for Da Xiangguo Temple in your navigation app. 💰 Ticket price: 40 RMB per person, 37 RMB per person when booked through Ctrip, with the discount lasting until February 27, 2024. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot opposite the scenic area, 10 RMB per time. ⏰️ Visiting duration: 1-2 hours 🔥 You can adjust your itinerary as needed based on actual conditions.