See the breathtaking hanging sculptures of Buddha statues in Shanxi.

🏨 Xiaoxitian Temple, Xi County 🌟Highlights: Xiaoxitian Temple, also known as "Qianfo Nunnery," is a Zen Buddhist temple located on the top of Phoenix Mountain, west of Xi County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province! Xiaoxitian Temple was founded by the Zen master Dongming during the second year of the Chongzhen period of the Ming dynasty (1629). It was originally named "Qianfo Nunnery" because there were a thousand Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall. Later, it was renamed "Xiaoxitian Temple" because the plaque on the gate read "The Way to the Western Paradise" and to distinguish it from another Ming dynasty temple, "Daxitian Temple," south of the city! The temple covers an area of more than 1,100 square meters and has many halls and buildings, including the Mahavira Hall, Manjusri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Amitabha Hall, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Weituo Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower. Two-thirds of the temple's halls are two-story buildings, layered and winding, with the layout of a typical temple and the charm of a garden. The temple is divided into the upper, middle, and front courtyards, connected by stone steps and secluded caves. 👍Top recommendations: 1. Mahavira Hall: The essence of the temple, with five interconnected niches in the front, enshrining the Buddhas of Medicine, Amitabha, Shakyamuni, Vairocana, and Maitreya. The hall also features Buddhist stories and figures, such as the "Three Saints of the Four Directions" and the "Four Heavenly Kings," as well as the "Trayastrimsa Heaven" on Mount Sumeru, stories of the Buddha, and legends of Shakyamuni. The main beam is adorned with the Eight Great Vajras, and the walls between the beams are decorated with the magnificent scene of the "Western Paradise." The hanging sculptures and paintings in the Mahavira Hall are of great reference value for the study of Ming and Qing hanging sculptures and paintings! 2. Amitabha Hall: Built facing east, it houses dozens of bronze Buddha statues and wooden pavilions, serving as a meditation hall for monks to chant scriptures. 3. Weituo Hall: Opposite the Amitabha Hall, the Weituo statue is carved from a single piece of nanmu wood, majestic and lifelike. 4. Bell Tower and Drum Tower: The two corners of the Lonely Phoenix Peak are home to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. 5. Cloud Pavilion: At the top of the peak, the Cloud Pavilion enshrines Guanyin Bodhisattva inside and Kui Xing outside. 6. Half Cloud Pavilion: Houses a rare edition of the Ming dynasty Buddhist scriptures "Ming Yongle Northern Canon," with more than 7,000 volumes, well-preserved. ❤Recommended reason: Xiaoxitian Temple is famous for the hanging sculptures in the Mahavira Hall, known as the "masterpiece of hanging sculptures" in the history of Chinese sculpture art! In the Mahavira Hall, which is less than 170 square meters, there are nearly 2,000 colored sculptures, ranging from meters tall to thumb-sized! These sculptures not only cover the front and gable walls of the hall but also hang or coil around the beams and columns, creating a world of Buddha that gives a strong visual impact! 👍Top recommendations: Xiaoxitian Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple with a long history, exquisite architecture, and high artistic value. It has been listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People's Republic of China! It's well worth a visit!