Discover the Most Beautiful Leizhenzi and Experience a "Living Hell"

📍Shanxi · Linfen · Pucheng County Pucheng Dongyue Temple, located on the summit of Baishan Mountain, covers an area of 20,000 square meters. While its exact founding date is unknown, it has undergone numerous renovations and expansions since the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period (627–649 AD), continuing through the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. 🏛 Architectural Layout: Pucheng Dongyue Temple is a mixed Buddhist and Taoist temple, facing south in a courtyard style reminiscent of palace architecture. The central axis begins at the south end with a screen wall inscribed with the characters “蒲山胜景” (Pushan Scenic Spot). From south to north, the layout includes the Changhong steps, the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the music stage, the Incense Pavilion (also used as a meeting hall), the Offering Pavilion, the main Xinggong Hall, the Houtu Shrine, and the Hell scenes. Flanking the Xinggong Hall are the Seventy-Two Departments. 🎯 Highlight 1: The most beautiful and majestic wooden carving of Leizhenzi is located in front of the Xinggong Hall's entrance. Leizhenzi's ability to distinguish loyalty and treachery with his left eye and good and evil with his right makes him, from his high vantage point, akin to a modern 360° surveillance system. The Xinggong Hall itself dates back to the Yuan Dynasty. 🎯 Highlight 2: At the rear of the temple, descend eighteen steps to encounter a dense collection of statues, all remarkably well-preserved Ming Dynasty works. They depict various tortures of hell and the cycle of reincarnation known as the Six Realms. 🎯 Highlight 3: The Offering Pavilion, situated south of the Xinggong Hall, is square with a single-eave, nine-ridge roof. Its column bases are relics from the Jin Dynasty. 📌 Dongyue Temple's Four Wonders: The circular courtyard, the elevated corridor, the beamless structure, and the three-stage opera platform. 📌 Dongyue Temple's Seven Treasures: The ancient Chinese catalpa tree, the Eight Immortals Celebrating Longevity sculpture, the Jin Dynasty stone carvings, the Mulan Flower inscription, the music stage inscription, the sunny-rainy stele, and the Bayin bell. Every year on the 28th day of the third lunar month, the birthday of Dongyue Dadi (Great Emperor of Mount Tai), the Pucheng Chaoshan Festival is held. 🚗 Transportation: Chartered car or self-drive is recommended (public transportation to the mountaintop temple is inconvenient). 🎫 Tickets: 35 CNY (28 CNY if purchased online one day in advance). ⏰ Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00 (summer); 8:00–17:30 (winter). PS: The Houtu Shrine within Dongyue Temple is a popular place for those seeking children. It is said to be very effective. Take a left shoe if you desire a boy, a right shoe if you desire a girl. If your wish comes true, return with a pair of shoes.