#Fawang Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Temples
Address:
Fawang Temple, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Opening times:
Open today at 08:30-16:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.9-1 hour
Phone:
0371-62830518
Nanyang Fawang Temple, this is the most relaxing ancient building I have encountered
After checking in at the famous Macun Brick Carving Tombs during the May Day period, I then came to another national protected unit not far from it - Nanyang Fawang Temple. It was drizzling at the time, and the rain got heavier on the way to Fawang Temple, which made me worry about whether I could enter smoothly. Fortunately, when I arrived at the entrance, I saw the gate wide open, with a group of uncles and aunties playing cards under the mountain gate, which dispelled my concerns.
Who is the Fawang
The name Fawang makes people think wildly, as if it refers to a king with great magical powers. The answer is on the gate of the temple, which reads 'Temple of the Fawang, the Xuantian Shangdi', confirming that the Fawang here is the Northern Emperor Xuanwu, also known as the God of Beiyue.
Architectural Features
The existing buildings are mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including the mountain gate, stage, main hall, Hou Tu hall, Ten Marshals hall, Nine Luminaries hall, Seven Stars hall, etc., with a very regular overall layout.
Mountain Gate
It is a single-eave building with a hard mountain top, three bays wide and four rafters deep, covered with green glazed tiles, and has a plaque reading 'Temple of the Fawang, the Xuantian Shangdi'. There is an inscription on the upper side, proving that it was built during the Qing Tongzhi era, and there is a mural of a fierce tiger descending the mountain on the left side.
Stage
It can be said to be the 'treasure of the temple' of Fawang Temple, a cross-shaped double-eave Xieshan top building, three bays wide and deep, covered with yellow and green glazed tiles, with a protruding stage in the front, and galleries on the left, right, and rear sides. The stage looks very beautiful as a whole, and the interior caisson looks like a star when viewed from below. The beam frame structure also uses the method of corner beams to reduce columns, so there are no large columns inside, and the beauty of mechanics is fully displayed. Although it is a Ming dynasty stage, the structure here is very similar to that of the Yuan dynasty after removing the surrounding ring of structure.
Main Hall
It is a single-eave Xuan Mountain top building, three bays wide and four rafters deep, with a five-bay corridor added to the front, making the worship space more open. Two coiled dragon columns in the front are eye-catching, with the dragons looking lifelike, and the era is also recorded on them - the Ming Hongzhi era.
The highlight inside the main hall is the intricate small woodwork, which connects up and down with the golden columns inside, forming a hall within a hall structure.
Record
The practice of Nanyang Fawang Temple opening its doors to welcome visitors really touches every friend who loves to visit ancient sites. You can stay here for a while, admire the ingenious ancient buildings, the beautiful stage, and even watch the uncles and aunties playing cards at the mountain gate. This might be the spiritual power that ancient buildings give to people.
Guide
Navigate to Fawang Temple in Nanyang Village, Jishan County, Shanxi Province. If the gate is not open, you can call the number on the gate or ask the villagers.
Taryn Eichmann
Dengfeng, Henan | The beginning of ancient temples in China, Fawang Temple
❤Reason for recommendation:
The 'Songshan Records' has the following record: 'The Fawang Temple is high and open, backed by the Songling, overlooking the two bears and other mountains, arranged like an arch, it is the first temple in front of Song.'
🌟Highlights:
The long and wide stone steps in front of the mountain gate make the mountain gate of Fawang Temple even more magnificent. Standing on the terrace of Fawang Temple and looking east, two mountain peaks, rugged and abrupt, confront each other, shaped like a door, people call it 'Songmen', 'Songmen waits for the moon', which is one of the ancient eight sceneries of Songshan.
👍Most recommended:
Fawang Temple was built in the tenth year of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty (71 AD), it is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China, only three years later than the White Horse Temple, and 424 years earlier than the Shaolin Temple. It is said to be built specifically for the Indian monk Zhu Falan, known as 'the beginning of ancient temples in China'.
👍Most recommended:
During the Qinglong period of Emperor Ming of Wei, it was changed to Huguo Temple, during the Western Jin Dynasty, Fahua Temple was added in front of the temple, at the beginning of the Sui Dynasty, the relic tower was built and renamed as Sheli Temple, during the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong of Tang, the Buddha statue was repaired by imperial decree, and the manor was granted and renamed as Gongde Temple, during the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong, it was renamed as Yurong Temple, during the Dali period of Emperor Dezong, the halls and pavilions were rebuilt and renamed as Wenshu Shili Guangde Fawang Temple, by the Five Dynasties, it was ruined and divided into five courtyards, still following the old names of Huguo, Fahua, Sheli, Gongde, Yurong, etc., at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was collectively referred to as Wuyuan. During the Qingli period of Emperor Renzong, the halls and monk's quarters were added, the Buddha statue was rebuilt, and it was renamed as 'Da Fawang Temple' of Songshan, which has a very important position in the Han Buddhism.
DIYDesigner
The Fawang Temple in autumn
I have been in Zhengzhou for two days. Today I went to Fawang Temple to see the golden yellow all over the ground. I liked the ginkgo trees of Shaolin Temple before, but when I came to Fawang Temple, I realized that the two ginkgo trees in front of me are nearly 2000 years old. They were planted in 71 AD and have been blessing the Chinese land until now. If it weren't for being on the spot, it would be impossible to fully appreciate the shock and visual impact of the golden yellow all over the ground. For every encounter and surprise, the wait of a thousand years is worth it.
The old monk in the temple said that you can choose some good leaves, take them home to dry, and make tea. I am a little reluctant to take them away. Each of these ginkgo leaves should belong to the earth under its feet. For two thousand years, it has been going round and round, and the cycle is endless.