Xiangguo Temple | The Splendor and Tranquility of a Thousand-Year-Old Temple

📍Kaifeng Xiangguo Temple is an ancient temple with a thousand-year history of Chinese Buddhism, located in the city center of Kaifeng, the "Ancient Capital of Seven Dynasties." As one of the top ten famous temples of Chinese Han Buddhism, it is known as one of the "Four Great Temples of the Central Plains" along with White Horse Temple, Shaolin Temple, and Fengxue Temple, and is known as the "Royal Temple." ⭐Xiangguo Temple was built in the sixth year of the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty (555 AD) and was originally named Jianguo Temple. Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan, renamed it Xiangguo Temple to commemorate his ascension to the throne from the position of Prince Xiang, and personally inscribed the plaque of "Xiangguo Temple." 🎫Ticket Information: Adult ticket CNY 40, student ticket half price 🕗Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00 ✓Recommended Attractions: 🔸Bell Tower and Drum Tower: The bell and drum towers on the east and west sides, with a giant bell cast in the Qing Dynasty inside the bell tower, resounding in all directions. 🔸Hall of Heavenly Kings: Enshrines Maitreya Buddha, the Four Heavenly Kings, and Weituo Bodhisattva. 🔸Mahavira Hall: Known as the "First Hall of the Central Plains," enshrines the Three Buddhas of Shakyamuni, Amitabha, and Medicine Buddha. On both sides are the Eighteen Arhats, with the Sea Island Guanyin and the Fifty-Three Visits of Sudhana behind. 🔸Octagonal Glazed Hall: Tall in the center, surrounded by corridors, with glazed tiles on the roof and bells hanging from the eaves. The octagonal flying eaves are ingeniously constructed. The deep corridor hall, courtyard entrance, and central pavilion form a whole, commonly known as the Octagonal Glazed Hall. 🔸Treasure of the Temple: Four-Faced Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin Statue This statue is an artistic masterpiece carved from a complete ginkgo tree by an anonymous folk artist during the Qianlong period, taking 58 years to complete. 🍜Local Delicacies Around Xiangguo Temple: Kaifeng Soup Dumplings: Thin skin, tender filling, and rich soup. Fried Cold Noodles: A local specialty snack, smooth and delicious. Sheep Double Intestines: Unique lamb product, delicious taste. 🥳Nearby Attractions: 5-minute drive: Drum Tower Square, Bookstore Street, Yanqing Temple, Kaifeng Mansion, Shanxi-Shaanxi-Gansu Guild Hall, Zhou Bridge Ruins 10-minute drive: Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, Han Garden Stele Forest, Longting Park, Liu Qingxia's Former Residence 15-minute drive: Song Dynasty Martial Arts City, Iron Pagoda Park