The most low-key city in Hebei | Xingtai Bianque Temple.

Bianque Temple is located at the foot of Que Mountain, 26 kilometers west of Neiqiu County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province. It was first built during the Warring States period and has been renovated throughout the dynasties. It is an ancient architectural complex dedicated to Bianque, the ancestor of Chinese medicine. Bianque Temple is the oldest, largest and best-preserved Bianque Temple complex in China. The main attractions of Bianque Temple include Bianque Hall, Bianque Tomb, Lingbi Stele, Resurgence Bridge, Nine Dragon Cypress, Ancient Stele Corridor, Three Purities Hall, Han Dynasty Divine Beasts, and more than 100 steles from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Bianque (407 BC - 310 BC), originally named Qin Yueren, was from Danxian County, Bohai Commandery (present-day Renqiu City, Hebei Province). He was a physician during the Warring States period and the founder of pulse diagnosis in Chinese medicine. The idioms "妙手回春" (miraculous cure), "起死回生" (bring back to life), "病入膏肓" (incurable disease), and "讳疾忌医" (conceal illness and avoid treatment) are all related to Bianque. 1⃣️ Bianque Temple, also known as Bianque Shrine, is located in Shentou Village, 26 kilometers west of Neiqiu County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province. It was first built during the Warring States period and has been renovated throughout the dynasties. It is an ancient architectural complex dedicated to Bianque, the ancestor of Chinese medicine. The temple is built on a mountain, with two ridges flanking it on either side. The Nine Dragon River flows through the temple, covering a total area of 150,000 square meters. 2⃣️ Bianque Temple is the oldest, largest and best-preserved Bianque Temple complex in China. The temple features towering ancient cypress trees, scattered buildings, and numerous steles. The eight main attractions of Bianque Temple are Bianque Hall, Bianque Tomb, Lingbi Stele, Resurgence Bridge, Nine Dragon Cypress, Ancient Stele Corridor, Three Purities Hall, and Han Dynasty Divine Beasts. These attractions are rich in historical and cultural significance. There are more than 100 steles from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, the "Lingbi Stele" is the best-preserved. It is an important physical material for studying Bianque's中医culture and the development history of Chinese medicine. 3⃣️ The courtyard of Bianque Temple is filled with towering cypress trees. The most common roof types are hip-and-gable roof, gable roof, hard-gable roof, hip roof, and barrel vault roof. The various complex shapes formed by the combination of these roof types demonstrate the ancient craftsmen's mastery of wood structure. They created roofs with upturned eaves and corners, resembling the outstretched wings of a bird. The curves of the roof and its various parts are gentle and graceful. 4⃣️ The architectural features of Bianque Temple complex: surrounded by mountains, with halls scattered among them. A stream flows in front of the temple, and the terrain gradually rises. The buildings are constructed according to the mountain's contours, with the central axis distributed symmetrically. The scenery is unique and distinctive. 5⃣️ The Nine Dragon Stone Cypress trees grow on the hillside south of the Resurgence Bridge. The nine ancient cypress trees, rooted in the crevices of the rocks and integrated with the mountain stones, have a history of over 2,000 years. They all belong to the Han cypress species. Getting to Bianque Temple is very convenient. You can drive yourself or take bus No. 5. 🎫 Ticket: 40 yuan for adults 👀 Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 🔸 Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours Bianque Temple is full of mystery and legend, allowing you to immerse yourself in a thousand years of history. Come and explore the wonders of this ancient temple!