Longxing Temple in Xinjiang: Tang Dynasty stele, Song Dynasty sculpture, and Qing Dynasty pagoda

[RedHeart] Must-see: Longxing Temple Pagoda, Song and Jin Dynasty Painted Sculptures, Biluo Stele, Song and Jin Brick Tomb Xinjiang County has preserved the ancient city of Jiangzhou, and there is a temple with a pagoda in the ancient city, which is Longxing Temple. Longxing Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty. Because it housed a statue of Biluo Tianzun, it was named Biluo Temple. Later, in the first year of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (670), it was renamed Longxing Temple. At that time, the temple buildings were very majestic and large in scale. By the fifth year of the Huichang reign of the Tang Dynasty (845), all the buildings in the temple were destroyed, with only the Pagoda Temple surviving. During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin lived here and converted the temple into a palace. Later, monks occupied the place and restored the name of Longxing Temple. Facing north and south, the existing buildings mainly include the Main Hall and the Longxing Pagoda. [PurpleHeart] Biluo Monument When you enter the gate of the scenic area, there are stele corridors on both sides. There are many ancient steles in the east stele corridor, which record the renovation history of Longxing Temple. After climbing 108 steps, you will see the Biluo Monument Pavilion, inside which is the nationally renowned calligraphy art monument "Biluo Monument". This stele is 2.26 meters high and 1.03 meters wide. It was erected in the third year of the Zongzhang reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (607) by Li Xun, Li Yi, Li Zhuan and Li Chen, the sons of Han Yuanjia, the eleventh son of Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, to pray for their deceased mother, Fang. The characters and structure of the inscription are a mixture of scripts from bells and tripods, ancient Zhuan, and small seal script. Based on the ancient calligraphy of previous generations, they are simplified and adapted to create a new ancient seal script with graceful posture and unique style. It looks neat and natural, comfortable and elegant, and has always been a treasure valued by epigraphers and calligraphers. The stele is now protected. The main body of the stele is covered with a rubbing version and sealed with glass to prevent weathering. [PurpleHeart] Main Hall The existing Main Hall was built in the Yuan Dynasty and was renovated in the Qing Dynasty. It is five bays wide and has a single-eaved hanging roof. There are colored sculptures from the Song and Jin dynasties on the altar in the hall, including Rinpoche, Sakyamuni Buddha, Vairocana Buddha, and the attendant Guanyin, Ksitigarbha, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra. Above the colored sculptures, there is a group of suspended sculptures in the same position and sequence on the beams, which are miniature versions of the Three Bodies of Buddha and Four Bodhisattvas, but some of the statues have been lost or damaged. The beams are painted with colorful paintings, and there is also a group of exquisitely carved stone lions and statues in the hall. There is a side hall on each side of the Main Hall, which was newly built on the original site in the later period and has now been transformed into an exhibition hall with information about the history of Longxing Temple. [PurpleHeart] Longxing Temple Pagoda Behind the main hall is the famous Longxing Temple Pagoda (also known as the Jiang Pagoda). According to the inscriptions on the stele, this tower originally had eight floors. In the 40th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1784), it collapsed due to age, so it was re-covered and increased to its current 13 floors. The tower is octagonal in shape, about 40 meters high, and is made entirely of polished blue bricks with an imitation wooden structure. There are inscriptions on each level of the tower. The first level has a pillar supporting the sky and a couplet. You can climb the tower, but be careful as the steps are narrow and some are slippery. From the windows on the tower floor, you can look out and take in the surrounding scenery and the features of the ancient city of Jiangzhou. [PurpleHeart] Song Dynasty Gold Brick Tomb In addition, in the temple, below the tower, two Song Dynasty gold brick tombs were discovered in 1996 from Duzhuang Village, Wan'an Town and Beisu Village, Zezhang Town and moved here. On the left is a Song Dynasty imitation wooden structure brick-carved tomb built with blue bricks. The tomb door is narrow, and lotus brick carvings form a Sumeru base. The upper part is a courtyard layout, with brick carvings of peacocks playing with peonies and bonsai peonies. Facing flying celestials form ten pairs of brackets and are carved with unicorns delivering children and fairies scattering flowers, reflecting the tomb owner's long-cherished wish of admiring wealth and becoming an immortal and ascending to heaven to enjoy wealth and glory after death. On the right is a Jin Dynasty brick-carved tomb, where a large number of Jin Dynasty opera brick carvings were unearthed, vividly reproducing the appearance of Jin Dynasty opera and the scene of singing and dancing. [Rainbow] Travel tips: [Sun] Attractions: Longxing Temple Pagoda, Song and Jin Dynasty painted sculptures, Biluo Stele, Song and Jin Dynasty Brick Tomb [RoundNails] Level: National Protection, AAA-level scenic spot [AsiaAustralia] Location: On the high cliff at the top of Chengbei Street, Xinjiang County, Yuncheng City [Shrine] Tickets: 10 yuan/person, 5 yuan for visiting the Song and Jin Dynasty Tomb. [TaxiFront] Transportation: Bus: Take No. 1 bus to Binglingqiao South Station, then walk about 800 meters to arrive. It is very convenient to take a taxi in the county town. [Tent] Accommodation: The scenic area is in the county town, which has various types of hotels and inns, which is very convenient. [Clink] Delicacies: Jiangzhou hotpot, Guokui, Beisu Village mutton soup, pork rolls, baked steamed buns, casserole, crispy meat, egg twists, fermented glutinous rice, etc. [Sunflower] Recommended places nearby: Jiangzhou Office, Jiangzhou Third Floor, Jiangshouju Garden, Xinjiang City God Temple, Xinjiang Catholic Church, Sanguan Temple, Jiangzhou Confucian Temple