The treasured ancient temple in Taiyuan has finally opened to the public, and it has a powerful appeal!

The treasured ancient temple in Taiyuan has finally opened to the public, and it has a powerful appeal! Years ago, I kept hearing about a national heritage temple in Taiyuan that was not open to the public, which often led to disputes between tourists and the temple security. This is Mingxiu Temple, which is only a starting taxi fare away from Jinci. Now that the temple is open, I have finally returned to Taiyuan and had the fortune to visit the national heritage Mingxiu Temple, which has been a challenging yet irresistible attraction for many ancient culture enthusiasts. What sets Mingxiu Temple apart from other ancient Shanxi relics is the overwhelming sense of discovery it brings, leading to continuous surprises. Surprise one: the colored sculptures in the hall are considered from various sources to be mid-Ming Dynasty works, just like the architecture. However, upon closer inspection, they seem to lean more towards the Jin Dynasty, strikingly similar to the Jin Dynasty statues in the Hongfu Temple in Xinzhou. The expressions of compassion and the natural and vivid textures, both charming and majestic, make these sculptures a fine example of colored sculpture artistry. Only the backlights of the three Buddha statues were likely remade during the Ming Dynasty, with their intricate style being unique to that era. Surprise two: Inside the Mahavira Hall, except for the north wall which has no murals due to a collapse, the other walls have well-preserved original murals. It is very rare to see such well-preserved murals and colored sculptures together in China, even in Shanxi, a province known for its ancient buildings. Mingxiu Temple is indeed one of the best among them. Surprise three: There were rumors online about the security guards being rude and prone to violence and theft of mobile phones, but in reality, the security guard was very kind. He told me a lot about the past and present of Mingxiu Temple. When I visited, the monks were chanting in the main hall, and the security guard asked me to wait outside until the chanting was over before taking me in for a visit. He was very friendly throughout, and when he spoke of the early 21st century theft of several statues' heads, his deep sorrow was palpable. It made me feel that Mingxiu Temple was like his home. Seeing my love for ancient architecture also filled him with joy, and he even gave me some tribute fruits when I left. Tips: 1. The temple is closed for a lunch break from 11:30 to 14:30, so do not request a visit during this time. 2. There are nine exquisite colored sculptures in the hall, including three Buddha statues of the past, present, and future, seated in the lotus position on a Sumeru throne, with golden dragons and colorful backlights behind them; on the sides are two disciples, Kasyapa and Ananda, bodhisattvas, and Vajra warriors. However, in 2000 and 2001, the heads of the statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Ananda, and two attendant figures were stolen. The heads you see today have been reconstructed and restored, and although they lack the original charm, they still largely replicate the original appearance. 3. Please respect the basic rules of the temple during your visit. If you show respect to others, they will treat you with courtesy in return. I am A Shun, a cultural travel enthusiast who has visited all 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government in China. Please join me in supporting traditional Chinese culture, protecting national treasures, and preserving cultural relics. If you like my content, feel free to visit my homepage, and don't forget to follow me!