[2024 Yi County Attraction] Travel Guide for Fengguo Temple (Updated Nov)
No.1 of Best Things to Do in Jinzhou
Temples
Address:
18 East St, Yixian, Jinzhou Shi, Liaoning Sheng, China, 121100
Opening times:
Open tomorrow at 08:30-16:30(Admission ends at 16:00)Closed Today
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
0416-7721535
Fengguo Temple, Liaoning: A Mysterious Journey Through Time.
Hey family, today I'm taking you to a mysterious treasure in Liaoning - Fengguo Temple! 🏯🌟 Are you ready to embark on a journey through a thousand years?
🚗 [Transportation]
First of all, Fengguo Temple is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. It's super convenient to drive or take the high-speed train from Shenyang. After getting off the high-speed train, you can take a taxi and arrive in about half an hour. Isn't that awesome?
🏞️ [Attractions]
Fengguo Temple was built in the Liao Dynasty and has a history of a thousand years. The architecture here is simple and elegant, and every brick and tile seems to tell an ancient story. 📜
🌲 [Natural Scenery]
Strolling through the temple, the ancient trees are towering and lush, as if you can hear the echoes of history. Here, you can slow down and feel the peace and tranquility.
📸 [Photo Spots]
Don't forget to take a photo in front of the Mahavira Hall, where the architecture is super impressive and you can take amazing photos! 📷
🍲 [Local Food]
After a long walk, don't miss the local snacks. I recommend trying the local barbecue and stews, the authentic Northeast flavor will definitely make you want more!
🏨 [Accommodation]
If you want to experience it in depth, you can choose to stay in a nearby homestay for a night. The starry night sky at Fengguo Temple is a unique experience.
📅 [Best Travel Time]
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with pleasant weather and picturesque scenery. But remember to avoid holidays, as there are fewer people and the scenery is more beautiful, making for a better experience.
Jack Maguire75
No wonder it's called the "First Temple in Kanto."
Fengguo Temple, a national cultural heritage site in Jinzhou, has been waiting for you for 1,004 years.
Built in the 9th year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD), it is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province. Together with Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi, and Dule Temple in Jizhou, Tianjin, it is known as one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples. The temple has three wonders:
Its Mahavira Hall is an original Liao Dynasty structure with a single-eave hipped roof and a building area of over 1,800 square meters.
The Mahavira Hall houses seven Liao Dynasty Buddhas, all masterpieces of Liao Dynasty sculpture! Majestic and magnificent.
The beams and purlins retain unique Liao Dynasty architectural paintings, totaling over 4,000 square meters, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity to the ancient temple!
It is a royal temple with archaeological, painting, and sculpture cultural value; a rare gem of northern ancient architecture worth a second visit!
Amelia Brooks+77
Fengguo Temple | A thousand-year-old national treasure in western Liaoning!
|A thousand-year-old national treasure in western Liaoning! 💫 Hey guys! Today, I want to strongly recommend Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning.
Fengguo Temple is a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in the ninth year of Kaitai (1020 AD) for his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao. It is a genuine thousand-year-old royal temple.
💡 1. Ticket Information
Tickets for Fengguo Temple are CNY 50. For this price, you can see so many precious ancient buildings and cultural relics, making it a great value. 🎫
💡 2. Transportation Guide
🚗 Self-driving: If you drive from Beijing, it takes about 5 hours to reach Jinzhou. After arriving in Jinzhou, go to Fengguo Temple in Yixian County. There is a parking lot around the temple, making parking very convenient. 🅿️
🚌 Public transportation: If you take the high-speed train, it takes about 2 hours from Beijing to Jinzhou. After arriving in Jinzhou, you need to transfer to a bus or charter a car to reach Fengguo Temple in Yixian County.
💡 3. Recommended Attractions
1. Mahavira Hall 🛕
- This is the core building of Fengguo Temple and the largest single-eave wooden structure from ancient times. It has 9 bays in width, a total length of 55 meters, 5 bays in depth, a total width of 33 meters, a total height of 24 meters, and a building area of 1,829 square meters. The Mahavira Hall is built on a 3-meter-high platform with a hip roof, a specification only found in royal buildings, making it particularly grand.
2. Painted Clay Buddha Statues "Seven Buddhas of the Past" 🎨
- Inside the hall are the "Seven Buddhas of the Past," each over 9 meters tall, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight. The attendant Bodhisattvas in front of the Buddhas have delicate features and lifelike expressions. These statues are a perfect combination of art and history, the crystallization of ancient craftsmen's efforts.
3. Architectural Paintings 💖
- The beams and frames of the Mahavira Hall still retain more than 2,400 square meters of paintings, with particularly bright colors and exquisite patterns. These paintings give a glimpse of the impressive architectural decorations of the Liao Dynasty.
💡 4. Special Highlights
Fengguo Temple is also a filming location for the game "Black Myth: Wukong." Game enthusiasts should not miss this check-in spot. 🎮
💡 5. Travel Tips
1. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the ancient temple is quite large and requires a lot of walking. 👟
2. Before visiting, you can read about the history of the Liao Dynasty and Buddhist culture to better understand the temple during your visit. 📖
3. Follow the rules of religious sites and maintain silence in the temple. 🙏
ResplesndentMellif
The Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou is truly stunning.
This is the only location in Liaoning where the game "Black Myth: Wukong" was filmed! It was also a filming location for Wong Kar-wai's film "The Grandmaster".
As soon as you step into Fengguo Temple, you feel as though you've entered a mysterious historical time and space. The cultural relics with a history of thousands of years are simply jaw-dropping. Liang Sicheng, the father of modern Chinese architecture, called it a "millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure".
Fengguo Temple is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning. It was built in the 9th year of the Kaiping era of the Liao Dynasty (1020), 1004 years ago. It is a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown! The Fengguo Temple Mahavira Hall is a miracle of Chinese wooden architecture, representing the highest level of ancient Chinese wooden architecture, and directly influenced the architectural structure of the Forbidden City.
The ancient buildings exude the breath of time, and every carving seems to be telling a story from the past. The Buddha statues are tall and solemn, making people feel awe.
The Fengguo Temple Mahavira Hall enshrines 7 large Buddhas over 9 meters tall. They have survived for many years and escaped several disasters, and are national treasures!
"Ask the Bodhisattva why he is sitting upside down, sigh that sentient beings are unwilling to turn back."
If you haven't been to Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou,
you must take the opportunity to go and see it, you definitely won't regret it!
Here, you can truly feel the weight of history and the depth of culture. Really, this kind of shock is indescribable.
⚠️Tips:
To protect the cultural relics
Photography is allowed in Fengguo Temple
But flash is not allowed~
IU. Ola 29
Three Great Liao Structures, Magnificent Colored Buddha|Fengguo Temple in Yixian, Jinzhou
【Distant Hoofbeats of Liao · Fengguo Temple in Yixian, Jinzhou】 The small Yixian in Jinzhou hides a national treasure! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu, to commemorate his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the same Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply hated by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a royal temple in the true sense of the word, a millennium-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three great Liao structures still existing in China (the other two being Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple, there are the oldest existing colored clay sculptures of the Seven Buddhas in China. The Mahavira Hall is ancient and majestic, showcasing royal grandeur; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside the hall have withstood a thousand years of wind and rain and still shine brightly. Additionally, the reverse-seated Guanyin and Weituo statues from the Ming dynasty, as well as the archways and murals from the Qing dynasty, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the peak period of the Liao dynasty, and it is fortunate to have survived through hardships to this day, offering a feast for the eyes!
🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie 🎬 'The Grandmaster'
Tickets🎫: Discounts available on Ctrip
⏳Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
logansapphire
Fengguo Poem
Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao Dynasty structures and the only one with a Seven Buddha Hall. Each Buddha is accompanied by two gracefully postured attendant Bodhisattvas, and there are also Vajra warriors standing on both sides of the hall to maintain order. Twenty-three statues, each several meters high (2.5-8.6 meters), are lined up in a grand and magnificent composition, creating an intense visual impact with their expressions of compassion, tranquility, majesty, and grace. On both sides of the hall are murals of ten Buddhas from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, which are ancient and weathered. Additionally, there are exquisite colored sculptures around the Buddha platform, and on the beams of the hall, there are Liao Dynasty flying deities heading south, who are also depicted as males with tadpole-like beards.
Cveline.YOU
Niche 4A Scenic Spot—Fengguo Temple
👍Recommended Reason: Long history, magnificent architecture, spectacular Buddha statues, and unique cultural and creative symbols. Filming location of 'The Grandmaster,' full of mystery.
📍Location: Inside Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province.
🎠Must-visit Spots: Mahavira Hall, with seven large Buddhas, attendant Bodhisattvas, stone lions with unique hairstyles, etc. Also, Liao Dynasty pillars and architectural paintings.
💸Ticket Information: 50 RMB/person.
❤️Other Tips: Opening hours 8:00 - 16:30. Fewer people after 4 PM, you may encounter guides to learn more. Definitely a hidden gem.
The Foodie Voyager
Seven Generations of Colorful Buddhas, Three Major Liao Structures|Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning
【Distant Hoofbeats of Liao·Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou】 The small Yixian County in Jinzhou hides a national treasure! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of Liao Kaitai (1020 AD) by Liao Shengzong Yelü Longxu to commemorate his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the same Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply hated by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a true millennium-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three major existing Liao structures in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple, there are the oldest existing colored clay sculptures of the Seven Generations of Buddhas in China. The Mahavira Hall is ancient and majestic, showcasing royal style; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside the hall have endured a thousand years of wind and rain, still shining brightly. Additionally, the Ming dynasty's reverse-seated Guanyin and Weituo statues, as well as the Qing dynasty's archways and murals, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the peak period of the Liao dynasty, and it is fortunate to have been preserved through hardships to this day, offering a feast for the eyes!
🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie 🎬 "The Grandmaster"
Tickets🎫: Discounts available on Ctrip
⏳Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
GrayPenelope25
Fengguo Temple is commonly known as the Big Buddha Temple
Fengguo Temple, commonly known as the Great Buddha Temple, was built in the ninth year of Kaitai in the Liao Dynasty (1020). It is one of the three existing temples in the Liao Dynasty in China. Daxiong Hall, Seven Buddha statues and architectural paintings are collectively known as the "Three Wonders of Fengguo Temple". It is a royal temple that integrates archaeology, painting, sculpture and other cultural values. The construction method represents the highest level of Chinese architecture in the 11th century. It also provided a mature construction method for the future construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. In the ninth year of Kaitai in Liao Dynasty (1020), Yelu Longxu, the Holy Emperor of Liao Dynasty, built Xianxi Temple in his hometown for his mother Xiao Chuo. In the seventh year of Qiantong in Liao Dynasty (1107), Xianxi Temple added a corridor and built 120 statues of saints, of which 42 statues of saints were not completed. During the Jin Dynasty, Xianxi Temple was renamed Fengguo Temple. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuan Dynasty (1290), Fengguo Temple was affected by an earthquake, and the building walls were damaged to varying degrees. In the seventh year of Dade in the Yuan Dynasty (1303), Fengguo Temple was rebuilt. In the 14th year of Yuan Zhizheng (1354), Fengguo Temple was rebuilt. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, only Daxiong Hall remained in Fengguo Temple. During the Qing Dynasty, Fengguo Temple rebuilt the inner mountain gate, archway, bell pavilion, stele pavilion, Tianwang Hall and other buildings. In the thirty-seventh year of the Republic of China (1948), during the battle of Yixian in the Liaoshen Campaign, a bomb penetrated the roof of the Main Hall of Fengguo Temple, damaging the right hand of the statue of Sakyamuni. Daxiong Hall, also known as the Seven Buddha Hall, is the only preserved Liao Dynasty building in Fengguo Temple. The seven Buddha statues on the Buddhist altar in the Main Hall are sculptures from the Liao Dynasty. From east to west, they are Kassapa, Jusun, Shiqi, Viposhi, Vaisabhu, Kunagamuni, Sakyamuni, and the Seven Buddhas. They all sat cross-legged on the Sumeru throne. The Vipo corpse in the middle is the tallest, with a total height of 8.6 meters, and the Buddhas on both sides are slightly lower. In front of each Buddha statue are two statues of Bodhisattvas, ranging in height from 2.5 to 2.7 meters. There is a statue of the Heavenly King at each end of the Buddhist altar, 3.5 meters high. Behind the corpse of Vipo is a statue of Guanyin remodeled during the Ming Dynasty, which has the charm of the male-like Guanyin in early statues. In front of the Buddhist altar, there are seven sets of 21 stone sculptures from the Liao Dynasty. On the east and west sides of the hall, there are eleven steles of Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
EMMETT SHERMAN
Unparalleled Colorful Buddhas Three Major Liao Structures|Fengguo Temple in Yi County, Jinzhou, Liaoning
[Liaoyuan Tiyin·Fengguo Temple in Yi County, Jinzhou] There is a national treasure hidden in the small Yi County of Jinzhou! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of Kaitai in Liao Dynasty (1020). It is a royal temple built by Yelu Longxu, the Holy Emperor of Liao Dynasty, in memory of his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the Empress Dowager Xiao who was hated by the Central Plains Dynasty). It is worthy of its name. Thousand-year-old temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao temples in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). The Daxiong Hall of Fengguo Temple houses the oldest existing clay sculpture of the Seventh Buddha in color. The Main Hall is simple and majestic, showing its royal style; the seven original giant Buddhas of the Liao Dynasty in the hall are still shining after thousands of years of wind and rain. In addition, the statues of Guanyin and Wei Tuo from the Ming Dynasty, and the archways and murals from the Qing Dynasty are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building during the heyday of the Liao Dynasty. It has been preserved to this day after many hardships. Fortunately, it is a feast for the eyes!
🌟Highlights: Filming location of the movie🎬"The Grandmaster"
Tickets 🎫: Buy online on Ctrip, with discounts
⏳Play time: 2-3 hours recommended
EffervescentsMajes
National Treasure Ancient Architecture - Fengguo Temple
Fengguo Temple, located at No. 18 Dongjie, Yixian County, was first built in the ninth year of the Liao Kaitai period (1020). It was a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown. Initially named Xianxi Temple, it was renamed Fengguo Temple during the Jin Dynasty. Fengguo Temple, along with Dule Temple and Shanhuasi Temple, is known as one of the three major temples of the Liao Dynasty in China. In 1961, it was selected as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units and is one of the four 'National First-Class' in Liaoning Province. In 2012, it was included in the 'China World Cultural Heritage Tentative List' and recorded in the UNESCO 'World Heritage Tentative List'.
Fengguo Temple is the only surviving example of the complete layout of ancient Buddhist temple architecture in China. It was praised by Liang Sicheng as a 'millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure, and rare treasure'. During the Liao and Jin periods, the temple had a grand scale, reaching its peak in the Yuan Dynasty. Unfortunately, by the Ming and Qing Dynasties, only the Mahavira Hall remained, which has been preserved to this day. The Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple is the largest surviving Buddhist hall in ancient China and is listed among the 'Eight Great Wooden Structures of the Liao Dynasty' in China.
The Mahavira Hall is built on a 3-meter-high platform, with a five-ridge single-eave hip roof. It has nine bays in width, 48.2 meters long, five bays in depth, 25.13 meters wide, and 21 meters high, with a building area of 1829 square meters. Inside the hall, there is the world's oldest and largest group of colored clay Buddha statues. From east to west, they are Kasyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, Vipasyin Buddha, Visvabhu Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha. All seven Buddhas sit on Sumeru thrones, each over 9 meters tall. The central Vipasyin Buddha is the tallest, with a total height of 9.5 meters. The 'Seven Buddhas of the Past' (Sakyamuni Buddha and the six Buddhas before his enlightenment) are uniquely enshrined together, with Sakyamuni Buddha among them, making it unique in the Buddhist world.
Each Buddha has two attendant Bodhisattvas standing on either side, each 2.5 meters tall, totaling 14 statues. The Bodhisattvas are depicted in various poses, some looking up, some looking down, some standing obliquely, and some looking straight ahead, each stepping on a lotus flower. Their dignified and lifelike appearances are striking. At the east and west ends of the Buddha altar, there are statues of Heavenly Kings, each 3.5 meters tall, standing with a staff, looking majestic and powerful. Behind the Vipasyin Buddha, there is a statue of the reverse-seated Guanyin, rebuilt in the 31st year of the Ming Wanli period (1603), standing 3.8 meters tall. Besides Sudhana and the Dragon Girl, there is also an eagle and a clean bottle, hence it is also called 'Eagle Bottle Guanyin', a rare male Guanyin statue in China.
In addition, there are murals on the east and west walls of the hall. Although most have been damaged, some outlines are still faintly visible. The beams and brackets inside the hall are decorated with thousands of square meters of Liao Dynasty paintings and exquisite flying apsaras. On the east and west sides of the hall, there are more than ten steles recording the history of this thousand-year-old temple. Fengguo Temple integrates elements of ancient Chinese wooden architecture, sculpture, painting, murals, stone carvings, steles, and plaques, making it a temple of ancient architecture for cultural relic enthusiasts. This weekend, I finally fulfilled my wish to visit the ancient sites of Yixian and Beizhen, gaining a lot and feeling that the trip was worthwhile.
GalacticTraveler_901
I once overlooked your beauty—Yixian
I used to think that only distant places had scenery, neglecting the history and culture around me. Taking advantage of the holiday, I 'stoked the train and revved up the car' to see the millennium national treasure—Yixian Fengguo Temple.
👍Most recommended:
Fengguo Temple, praised by Liang Sicheng as 'a millennium national treasure, a rare national treasure, the largest Liao Dynasty wooden Buddhist hall', is one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples in China. It was built by Yelü Longxu for his mother Empress Dowager Xiao (it's that period of the Yang Family Generals).
The Mahavira Hall, with seven colored sculptures, represents the past seven Buddhas, symbolizing the five emperors before Yelü Longxu, plus Empress Dowager Xiao and Yelü Longxu himself. The smiling Bodhisattva in a relaxed pose; also, the 42 flying Apsaras on the beams are male; be sure to look at the base of the pillars, carved with various patterns.
The Guanyin sitting behind the seven Buddhas (Picture 1) is a filming location for 'The Grandmaster', very photogenic.
Jin Dynasty steles, recording the creation time as the ninth year of the Kai Tai era.
Wanfo Hall
Built along the Ling River, it was constructed by the General Pingdong during the Northern Wei Dynasty for Emperor Xiaowen.
The cross-legged Maitreya, with draped clothing and a wide belt, is a typical Northern Wei sculpture. The flying Apsaras and lotus crowns can rival those of the Yungang Grottoes. (Picture 10)
The Thousand-Handed Guanyin, a work from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The overall size is relatively small, most of it has been damaged by nature and human actions, and the restoration techniques used later are somewhat lacking.
Guangsheng Temple Pagoda
A Liao Dynasty octagonal dense-eave style 13-story ancient pagoda, beautifully carved, with flying Apsaras reliefs.
🚉Transportation strategy:
From the bus station opposite Jinzhou Station to Yixian, (every 10-20 minutes in the morning, every 30 minutes in the afternoon) 17 yuan per person.
Charter a car in Yixian to Wanfo Hall, Fengguo Temple, and Guangsheng Temple Pagoda, 90 yuan.
📝tips:
You can consider staying in Yixian, as it is very convenient for food and lodging. At that time, we assumed the county town would be inconvenient and missed the Xianxi Zen Temple.
Mymy9888
The 'Liao Dynasty Tang Style' Fengguo Temple is the most stunning stop on a trip to Northeast China
The 'Liao Dynasty Tang Style' Fengguo Temple is the most stunning stop on a trip to Northeast China.
I have not yet had the chance to witness the wooden structures of the Tang and Five Dynasties period, and the oldest I have seen to date are the three Liao Dynasty temples. The shock of their ancient beauty lingers long after the visit.
Fengguo Temple, located in Yixian County under the jurisdiction of Jinzhou, Liaoning, was founded in the ninth year of the Liao Dynasty's Kaibao era (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Longxu, in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown.
Liang Sicheng called the Liao Dynasty temples 'a millennium national treasure, a supreme national treasure, a rare treasure,' and referred to Fengguo Temple as 'the largest Liao Dynasty Buddhist hall.'
The wooden structure of Fengguo Temple's Mahavira Hall has remained straight and sturdy for a thousand years. It is a five-ridged, single-eave shed-roof style building with a nine-bay wide front, which is an incredibly grand specification. The seven Buddha statues of the Liao Dynasty are lined up in a row, tall and majestic, and extremely magnificent, along with 14 attendant Bodhisattvas, 2 Heavenly Kings, and 21 sets of stone carved offerings.
Above the beams, there are 42 Liao Dynasty colored paintings of flying Apsaras, dazzling and well-preserved, which are extremely rare examples of Liao Dynasty architectural paintings in China. There are also exquisite murals from the Yuan and Ming dynasties, including the Ten Buddhas, Eight Bodhisattvas, Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara, Eighteen Arhats, the Ming Dynasty's unique male figure Reclining Avalokiteshvara, and the Ming Dynasty wood carving of Wei Tuo, all of which are the ultimate in magnificent craftsmanship.
Yixian County is rather remote, so self-driving is advisable. You can also take the opportunity to visit the easternmost grottoes in our country, the Wanfo Hall Grottoes, and the Liao Pagoda at Guangsheng Temple.
By the way, are there any other ancient buildings or wooden structures in the Northeast besides the Xuanzhen Observatory?
collins_the_volans
Liang Sicheng didn't deceive me, I actually stayed in a supreme national treasure that is 1004 years old!
In the vast land of China, there lies a millennium-old ancient temple—Fengguo Temple, which is not only a religious sanctuary but also a treasure where history and art converge. Today, let us embark on this journey through time and unlock those moments of brilliance that should not be missed.
Must-visit attractions: A visual feast through time
Upon entering Fengguo Temple, the first thing that strikes you is the awe-inspiring Seven Buddha Hall. Inside the hall, there is a group of the largest painted clay Buddha statues in China, with seven Buddhas standing at 9 meters tall, each with a compassionate face and a unique posture, as if one could hear the low chanting of Buddhist hymns from a thousand years ago. Each Buddha statue is exquisitely carved with vibrant colors, making one marvel at the ancient craftsmen's superb skills. Don't forget to look up at the exquisite murals, each stroke carrying a profound historical story, captivating visitors.
Detailed address: A coordinate in history
Fengguo Temple is located within Yixian County, Liaoning Province, China, with the specific address being No.1 Dong Street, Yizhou Town. It is not only a national AAAA-level tourist attraction but also a key national cultural relics protection unit, with its historical status and cultural value being self-evident.
Transportation guide: Easy access, start your pilgrimage
• Self-drive: Depart from Jinzhou city center, drive approximately 70 kilometers northeast along the Jinfu Expressway to reach Yixian County, then follow the road signs to Fengguo Temple.
• Bus: Take a long-distance bus from Jinzhou city to Yixian County, then transfer to a local bus or take a taxi to Fengguo Temple, which is very convenient.
Food recommendations: A taste of ancient charm
After touring, how can one miss the local specialty foods? Try the 'Yixian Lamb Soup,' which is fresh, rich, and heartwarming; and 'Jinzhou Small Dishes,' which are sweet and sour, perfect as a meal accompaniment. Don't forget to explore the alleys of the ancient town to find traditional snacks hidden among the locals, each flavor a reminiscence of history.
Recommended nearby attractions: Continue your journey of exploration
• Wanfo Hall Grottoes: Not far from Fengguo Temple, it is a well-preserved treasure trove of Buddhist grotto art from the Northern Wei to Tang dynasties, with vivid stone carvings, invaluable for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist art.
• Yilü Mountain Scenic Area: A place where natural beauty and cultural landscapes coexist, with beautiful mountains and rivers and numerous historical sites, it is a paradise for hikers and photography enthusiasts.
Fengguo Temple is not just a temple; it is a witness of time, a bearer of culture. Here, every breath is filled with the weight of history, and every gaze is a cross-temporal dialogue with the ancients. Whether you are a devout believer or someone who loves to travel, you should not miss this dual baptism of the soul and vision. Pack your bags, and let us have an unexpected beautiful encounter with Fengguo Temple this season!
Flavorful Wanderlust
The Three Great Liao Structures and the Exquisite Colored Buddha | Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou, Liaoning
【The Distant Sounds of Liao Hooves · Fengguo Temple in Yixian County】 A national treasure is hidden in the small Yixian County of Jinzhou! Fengguo Temple was founded in the ninth year of the Liao dynasty's Kaitai era (1020 AD) by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao dynasty, Yelü Longxu, to commemorate his mother Empress Dowager Xiao (yes, the very Empress Dowager Xiao who was deeply loathed by the Central Plains dynasties). It is a royal temple and a true millennium-old ancient monastery. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing great Liao structures in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Daxiong Hall of Fengguo Temple are the oldest existing clay-colored statues of the Seven Buddhas in China. The Daxiong Hall is simple and majestic, showcasing the royal style; the seven original Liao dynasty giant Buddhas inside have withstood a thousand years of wind and rain and still shine brilliantly. In addition, the inverted Guanyin and Weituo statues from the Ming dynasty, the archway and murals from the Qing dynasty, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building from the heyday of the Liao dynasty, which has been preserved through hardships to this day, fortunately, a feast for the eyes!
Ticket🎫: Purchase online on Ctrip for a discount
⏳Visiting Time: Recommended 2-3 hours
JUNE BLAKE
In the small county town's Citywalk, the unforgettable supreme national treasure, Fengguo Temple, stands out
Fengguo Temple made me fall in love at first sight! From the moment I saw the photo, I decided to visit.
I couldn't wait for the Qingming Festival mini-holiday to rush to Yixian County in Jinzhou, where Fengguo Temple is located in this little-known small county town.
When I, full of anticipation, truly stood inside the Daxiong Hall and looked up at the seven Buddha statues, the shock in my heart told me: this trip was worth it.
Built in 1020, Fengguo Temple is a royal monastery constructed by Emperor Yelü Longxu of the Liao Dynasty in his mother Empress Dowager Xiao's hometown. It has a typical Han Chinese Buddhist temple layout, and the Daxiong Hall is the only remaining Liao Dynasty building in the temple, hailed by Liang Sicheng as 'a millennium national treasure, the supreme national treasure,' and is the largest existing ancient single-story wooden structure in China. The temple's mountain gate, archway, and Hall of Heavenly Kings were all rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty.
When it comes to 'Buddha,' most people only think of Sakyamuni, but the main hall of Fengguo Temple houses seven Buddha statues, representing Sakyamuni and the six Buddhas who appeared before him. All seven Buddhas have entered parinirvana and are thus known as the Past Seven Buddhas. The seven Buddha statues have similar sitting postures and expressions, but a closer look reveals that each has a different hand gesture, representing different aspects of Buddhist wisdom and compassion.
🔶Essence of the Daxiong Hall:
1. Architecture: A representative of the top construction standards of the Liao Dynasty, using the highest specifications of seven-layer bracket sets for Buddhist halls. The fact that we can witness this once-in-a-millennium treasure today is not unrelated to the exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous material selection of the time.
2. Liao Dynasty clay-colored Buddha statues: In addition to the seven Buddha statues, the Daxiong Hall also contains 14 Bodhisattva statues and two Heavenly King statues, all of which are fine examples of Liao Dynasty Buddhist statuary art.
3. Reversed Avalokiteshvara: Sculpted during the Ming Dynasty, it sits back-to-back with the Vipasyin Buddha among the seven Buddhas, a relatively rare male form of Avalokiteshvara.
4. Paintings and murals: The paintings on the beams of the Daxiong Hall are well preserved, with excellent depictions of flying Apsaras. There are Yuan Dynasty murals on the walls, but unfortunately, they are severely damaged and have become indistinct.
🔶Hall of Heavenly Kings: Originally built during the Jin Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. In the center of the hall, Maitreya Buddha is enshrined, flanked by Heavenly Kings holding different ritual instruments, symbolizing the wish for favorable weather. The well-preserved murals here are worth a closer look, depicting stories of Sakyamuni.
Fengguo Temple Practical Information
📍Address and Transportation: No. 18 Dong Street, Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, equipped with a parking lot that charges per use.
🕑Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30
🎫Ticket Price: On-site tickets are 50 yuan, online tickets are 40 yuan, but they must be purchased at least 3 hours in advance.
🌟Tips:
1. There is a guided tour service in the scenic area, which allows for a more detailed visit.
2. The temple offers a self-service vegetarian meal, worth trying if you happen to be there at mealtime.
3. The cultural and creative shop offers stamp collection and souvenirs for purchase.
ISABEL MCLAUGHLIN
I converse with the millennia-old temple through my camera in Yixian County
Fengguo Temple is located within the city of Yixian in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province. It was founded in the ninth year of the Kaibao era of the Liao Dynasty (AD 1020) and encompasses ancient Chinese wooden architecture, sculpture, colored painting, mural, stone carving, stele, plaques, and more, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific value. The Fengguo Temple's Liao Dynasty Daxiong Hall is 55 meters long and 33 meters wide, with a total height of 24 meters. The architectural style is a combination of a five-ridged single-eave seven-bay hall and a pavilion-style wooden structure, which is the highest grade of ancient Chinese wooden architectural remains.
In 1961, it was announced by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, in 2008 it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, in 2012 it entered the 'Chinese World Cultural Heritage Tentative List', and was included in the UNESCO 'World Heritage Tentative List'.
Fengguo Temple is one of the three major Liao Dynasty temples in China, and its iconic ancient building—the Daxiong Hall—is the largest surviving ancient Buddha hall in the world, which can be called a world wonder. Inside the hall, there is the world's oldest and largest group of clay-colored Buddha statues. The hall has seven doors in the front, and inside, the main seven Buddhas sculpted during the Liao Dynasty are enshrined, from left to right they are: Kasyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, Kashyapa Buddha, Vipasyin Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha. They are majestic and spiritually transcendent, all seated on Sumeru thrones, each over 9 meters tall.
EpicWanderings
May everyone who goes to Fengguo Temple come across this guide
Today's people do not see the ancient moon; the moon once shone upon the ancients.
【P1-P6】Fengguo Temple
Photos simply cannot capture the shock felt the moment you step through the temple doors. Seven Liao dynasty clay Buddha statues, each over nine meters tall, are surrounded by the remnants of Tang dynasty murals, all standing together in the large hall built in 1004 with mortise and tenon joints. The tangible sense of history is overwhelming here. No amount of praise in words can compare to witnessing it with your own eyes.
【P7-P9】Wanfo Hall Grottoes
Wei steles. The scenic area built along the river. To be honest, it's a bit disappointing; only very small areas have been preserved, and the damage is very severe. There are also no significant protective measures, which is truly regrettable.
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leona_ortiz_london
Thousand-year-old Fengguo Temple, you should know these things before entering
I heard that young people of this generation love to visit temples
I also heard that this generation of young people love reverse tourism
I also heard that this young generation loves to explore food in depth
If you add up these three items, you have to visit Jinzhou, Yixian, and Fengguo Temple.
This county with a population of 300,000 has witnessed the rise of the Xiao family in Daliao.
[Several rare things in the country at Fengguo Temple]
♦️ It has the largest majestic palace in China, a temple in the Liao Dynasty, which was first built in 1020 AD.
♦️ There is a statue of the Seventh Buddha in the hall, which is rare and magnificent in the country.
♦️ The wooden structure of the main hall of the Liao Dynasty, with brackets and mortise and tenon joints like lotus flowers on the main hall
♦️ The first batch of key protected cultural relics, Liang Sicheng called it a "thousand-year national treasure, a supreme national treasure", and Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster" was filmed in front of the inverted Guanyin
♦️ Experienced many devastating blows (earthquakes, artillery fire, wars) but remained standing
[Tips for arriving at Fengguo Temple]
1⃣️Tickets: 50 yuan/person, 40 yuan/person if purchased 3 hours in advance
2⃣️ Time: 8:30-16:00, tour time is 1 hour
3⃣️ Transportation: You can take a taxi after arriving in Yixian
🚌Bus: Jinzhou Bus Terminal-Yixian Passenger Terminal, 1.5 hours, 17 yuan
🚄Train: 45 minutes, 11 yuan
🚗Self-driving: 70 kilometers, 1 hour
4⃣️ Cultural relics maintenance: Maintenance will begin in May. You can visit but cannot get close.
5⃣️ Maintenance donation: You can redeem incense sticks, wishing cards, and lamps at the staff, the price is 100-200, and the money will be used for the protection and maintenance of cultural relics.
ELYSE OCONNOR
I was not deceived into living in a supreme national treasure that is 1004 years old
I have finally arrived at the Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, Jinzhou
This royal temple, which was founded in the ninth year of the Liao Dynasty's Kaibao era (1020),
✅ The Mahavira Hall is the largest ancient hall remaining in China
✅ It houses the world's oldest and largest clay-colored statues
✅ Represents the highest level of Chinese architecture in the eleventh century
✅ One of China's first batch of key national cultural relics protection units
✅ Liang Sicheng called it a 'millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure'
It is also the beloved filming location for director Wong Kar-wai's 'The Grandmaster'
·
In order to fully experience Fengguo Temple, I researched many sources before departure, and finally found a way to stay in the temple that even the locals don't know about
It's like staying in Aman, which has a direct access channel to the Summer Palace
The Xianxi Zen rooms allow me to have a secret passage directly to the Mahavira Hall without a ticket, and I can enter and exit an unlimited number of times
It's like I have a room with a Buddha view
In the morning, when I open my eyes, I can see the majestic Great Buddha Hall up close while lying in bed
As night falls, I can enjoy the night sky and stars of Fengguo Temple all by myself
Appreciating this ancient temple of a thousand years without being disturbed by tourists
·
Immersed in it, the shock is indescribable
The changes of dynasties and the chaos of wars over the past one thousand and four years
have never altered the layout inside the Mahavira Hall by a bit
History and legend intertwine within it
Two days and one night are simply not enough to appreciate the details of Fengguo Temple
I will summarize more strategies for Fengguo Temple, Yixian, and Jinzhou and continue to post them
Jackson Beaumont
Liang Sicheng did not deceive me into living in a supreme national treasure that is 1004 years old
Jinzhou Yixian Fengguo Temple, a royal temple that was founded in the ninth year of the Liao Kai Tai era,
this Grand Hall is the largest in scale among the ancient relics in China,
and it also enshrines the world's oldest and largest clay-colored statues.
This temple represents the highest level of Chinese architecture in the eleventh century,
it is one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units in China.
This temple is also highly esteemed, Liang Sicheng called it 'a millennium national treasure, a supreme national treasure',
it is also the beloved shooting location for director Wong Kar-wai's film 'The Grandmaster'.
In order to fully experience the charm of Fengguo Temple, after much research, I finally found a way to stay in Fengguo Temple, a method not even the locals know about. I stayed in the Xianxi Zen rooms, which provide a secret passage that leads directly to the Grand Hall, and I could enter and exit an unlimited number of times, making me feel as if I owned a room with a Buddha view. In the morning, as I opened my eyes, I could see the majestic Grand Buddha Hall up close from my bed; as night fell, I could enjoy the night sky of Fengguo Temple all to myself, undisturbed by tourists, admiring this ancient temple that has stood for a thousand years.
Here, I deeply felt the awe of Fengguo Temple, with history and legend intertwined within, indescribable in words. A thousand and four years of dynastic changes and wars have not altered the layout inside the Grand Hall.
CHARLEY CURTIS
Three major Liao structures, magnificent colored Buddha|Jinzhou Yixian Fengguo Temple
【Distant hoof sound·Yixian Fengguo Temple】 The small Jinzhou Yixian hides national treasures! Fengguo Temple was built in the ninth year of Liao Kaitai (1020), it is a royal temple built by Liao Shengzong Yelv Longxu in memory of his mother Empress Xiao (yes, that Empress Xiao who was hated by the Central Plains dynasty). It is a truly millennium-old ancient temple. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao structures in China (the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong and Dule Temple in Tianjin). Inside the Great Hall of Fengguo Temple, there is the oldest existing clay-colored Seven World Buddha in China. The Great Hall is simple and majestic, showing royal style; the seven original Liao Dynasty giant Buddhas in the hall have gone through thousands of years of wind and rain, and they are still shining. In addition, the inverted seated Guanyin and Weituo statues from the Ming Dynasty, the archway and murals from the Qing Dynasty, are also highlights. Fengguo Temple is a royal building during the heyday of the Liao Dynasty, and it has been preserved through hardships, fortunately, feast your eyes!
Ticket🎫: Purchase online on Ctrip, with discounts
⏳Play time: Recommend 2-3 hours
ElizabethHolmes51
Checking in at the Fengguo Temple
Looking back a thousand years, the temple has survived five calamities to this day; a moment of emotion, the changes of several generations seem like yesterday. The city is named after the temple, and the temple is blessed by the city. The city and the temple depend on each other, breathing the same air. The righteousness of all teachings ultimately returns to culture; the benefits of the local customs are more than just wisdom. Don't ask who the Buddha is, the Tathagata is formless; don't chase the original appearance of the temple, it is free and empty. Decline and prosperity, fortune and misfortune, are not what is sought out of the world; low and high, grand and small, life is grasped only when one enters the world.
N1ghtw1sp_Wh1spl1t3r
Northeast version of Ghost Blowing Lamp, this thousand-year-old cultural town is really worth your visit
Speaking of Yixian, I believe many people have never heard of it, after all, it is just a small city with a population of only 300,000. But if you talk about the history of Yixian, it really has been brilliant, it has witnessed the rise and fall of the Five Yan Dynasties and the Liao Dynasty! For example, a Fengguo Temple can tell half of the history of the Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty was a minority dynasty established by the Khitan tribe, which was later destroyed by the Jin Dynasty, erasing all its history and text, so there are very few works passed down from the Liao Dynasty, but Fengguo Temple miraculously survived
Fengguo Temple is a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelu Longxu, in 1020 to commemorate his mother, Empress Xiao. It has the largest main hall in China, with a width of nine rooms. The hall contains seven Buddha statues, which are rare in the country. Only by entering the main hall can you feel the grandeur of the architecture and statues
There are a few details about the seven Buddha statues in Fengguo Temple that you need to do your homework on
1. The Buddha statue in the middle of the seven Buddhas is Empress Xiao, the last Buddha statue is Yelu Longxu himself, the reincarnation of Sakyamuni Buddha, and the other five Buddha statues correspond to five emperors
2. The seven Buddha statues are 9m high, the Bodhisattvas on the side are 2m high, and they are made of mud. We are used to seeing golden, bronze, and jade Buddhas, but there are very few mud Buddhas left
3. The mud Buddha is made of four materials: yellow mud, rice straw, glutinous rice paste, and hemp. It has a hollow structure with wooden dragon bones. After nearly ten repairs during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, the whole body is brightly colored, and the Buddha's expression is calm and vivid
4. The Buddha statue suffered a lot of loss in the Liaoshen Campaign and the Cultural Revolution. In 1961, it was reported by Liang Sicheng, and the State Council issued a document to protect it as a national key cultural relic. It was spared in the Cultural Revolution
5. The seven Buddha statues represent career, health, family, wisdom, wealth, peace, and light respectively
6. The inverted Guanyin on the back of the Buddha statue is a rare male Bodhisattva and was used as a filming location for the movie 'The Grandmaster'
7. The dust on the seven Buddha statues is incense ash that has merged with the Buddha's body. It is expected to be repaired by the Shaanxi Cultural Relics Bureau this year. I believe that these seven Buddhas can shine again under the hands of experts
At present, there are only three temples left from the Liao Dynasty, in addition to Fengguo Temple in Yixian, the other two are Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi, and Duole Temple in Ji County, Tianjin. Be sure to go and see if you have the chance
⚠️⚠️⚠️Small tips
1. Ticket🎫: 50 (10 yuan during the temple fair from the first to the fifth day of the lunar new year)
2. Business hours⏰: 8:30-16:00, stop selling tickets at 15:30
3. Fortune telling: 100 yuan for 8 signs (7 Buddhas➕1 Guanyin), wish for good luck in the new year
4. With a ticket➕1 yuan, you can eat vegetarian noodles
5. The staff who charge 100 yuan for fortune telling will give a free explanation. They are all locals from Yixian and have a strong sense of mission for the inheritance of this history, which touched me deeply
6. The whole temple is not very large, and the estimated visit time is 2h
7. The restaurant next door is good, with many special dishes
8. The preservation of the Wanfo Cave and Antai Gate is very poor, and it is not at the same level as Fengguo Temple. The attitude of the staff at Wanfo Hall is extremely poor, and it is not recommended to go
9. The Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an ancient pagoda of the Liao Dynasty, which is also very good
BRIANNA MORALES
Final Chapter of the Three Great Temples of the Liao Dynasty (Yixian)
After appreciating the grandeur of Huayan Temple and Dule Temple, I have long wanted to visit the Fengguo Temple. Knowing that the temple may undergo large-scale renovation soon, I feel that the trip must be advanced, for reasons you know . At this point, all three major Liao Dynasty temples have been seen, and two of the eight major Liao structures have not been visited .
The biggest highlight of Fengguo Temple is the main hall, the Great Buddha Hall, which is the largest single-story wooden structure in ancient Chinese architecture and is known as the "First Great Buddha Hall in China" . It is nine bays wide, with a huge architectural volume, many Tang Dynasty styles, representing the highest level of Chinese architecture a thousand years ago, very shocking.
Seven large Buddhas are enshrined in a row, all original versions of the Liao Dynasty. They are all over nine meters high, with consistent faces, distinguished by gestures. This layout is rare, usually with three main enshrinements, the five large Buddhas of Shanhuasi are a few examples, I didn't expect there to be seven here . Each Buddha has a Bodhisattva standing on each side, with different expressions, lifelike. At the east and west ends of the Buddha altar, there is a statue of the Heavenly King, strong and mighty. What's more amazing is that there is a seated Guanyin from the Ming Dynasty behind the main Buddha, the statue retains the charm of the male Guanyin before the Tang Dynasty .
In addition to the statues, the stone steles in the main hall, the paintings on the beams, and the murals on the four walls are not to be missed, but unfortunately the murals are poorly preserved and severely damaged .
Next, let's talk about personal visiting experiences. First of all, the management level of the scenic area is very high, the staff are very kind and will enthusiastically explain relevant knowledge to the surrounding tourists, the facilities are complete, and there is vegetarian food provided . Secondly, this is the first place I have visited in the north and south of the Yangtze River where visitors are openly allowed to take photos without using flash. This behavior does not make too many comments. Whether many strictly forbidden photo-taking spots are out of selfishness or for the protection of cultural relics can only be seen as benevolent and wise . Finally, there are activities here during the Spring Festival from New Year's Eve to Lantern Festival, discounted tickets, many performances, very satisfying .
agleam.brianna
A must-visit when traveling —— Yixian Fengguo Temple in Jinzhou!
Fengguo Temple is the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, founded in the ninth year of Liaokaitai (1020), originally named Xianxi Temple, built by Liao Shengzong Yelv Longxu to commemorate his mother Xiao Chao's military achievements. Amid the sound of chisels and saws, a majestic and spectacular royal temple was born, with seven Buddhas, and magnificent halls. The main hall of the temple once enshrined the past seven Buddhas, Fengguo Temple's main hall is unique, a unique example in the country, and even more miraculously survived several wars without damage.
Don't miss such a legendary temple when you travel to Jinzhou. Walking on the bluestone road, listening to stories from thousands of years, is like walking in the long river of history, washing the soul, purifying the mind! Fengguo Temple is worth a visit!
Global Goodies
Millennium Ancient Temple - Jinzhou Yixian Fengguo Temple
Fengguo Temple was first built in the ninth year of Liao Kaitai (1020), it was a royal temple built by Emperor Shengzong of the Liao Dynasty, Yelv Longxu, in his mother's 'family fiefdom', originally named Xianxi Temple (also known as the Great Buddha Temple or Seven Buddha Temple because of the seven Buddha statues it houses). It was renamed Da Fengguo Temple in the Jin Dynasty. It is one of the three existing Liao Dynasty temples in China.
Architect Liang Sicheng highly praised the value of Fengguo Temple, calling it a 'millennium national treasure, supreme national treasure, and rare treasure. Fengguo Temple is also the largest Buddha hall of the Liao Dynasty.'
BEATRICE NEAL
Liaoning Yixian Fengguo Temple: The first of the eight major Liao structures, a glimpse of a thousand years of dreamy splendor
Today is the beginning of winter. The first snow that just fell in the northeast a few days ago has almost melted away, replaced by a drizzle and chilly weather. The main hall of Fengguo Temple in Yixian, Liaoning, still has some remaining snow on the north side of its roof. The green tiles and white snow, under the ink-dyed sky, seem like a boundary painting from the Song Dynasty. A snowfall brings Yixian back to the Liao Dynasty a thousand years ago.
In 1020 AD, it was the fourth year of Tianxi in the Northern Song Dynasty. However, the sixteen states of Youyun, where Yixian, then known as Yizhou, was located, belonged to another dynasty, the Liao Dynasty, and the year was the ninth year of Kaixi in Emperor Shengzong's reign.
Emperor Shengzong of Liao, named Yelü Longxu, was a capable emperor who was well-versed in Han culture. Under the leadership of his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, he had repeatedly led troops to invade the Song Dynasty south of the Great Wall, forcing the Song Dynasty to sign the Chanyuan Treaty at their doorstep, paying annual tributes in exchange for over a hundred years of peace on the Liao-Song border.
Under Yelü Longxu's diligent governance, the Liao Dynasty was prosperous and economically strong. At this time, his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, who had nurtured him into a wise ruler, had passed away ten years ago. He, too, had passed the prime of his life and was about to enter the last decade of his life. Standing in the second half of life, one can't help but look back.
Under the influence of Empress Dowager Xiao, Yelü Longxu had a high level of Han cultural accomplishment, was good at poetry and literature, understood music, and 'comprehended the principles of both Buddhism and Taoism'. It was rumored that Yelü Longxu was the reincarnation of Sakyamuni Buddha, and Yixian was the fief of his mother, Empress Dowager Xiao's family. Therefore, he ordered the construction of a royal temple here.
The temple was built, initially named Xianxi, later changed to Fengguo, with a grand scale and Tang Dynasty style. The main hall undoubtedly is the absolute core of this group of buildings. It is situated in the center of the temple, standing on a high platform, declaring the supreme imperial power with the dignity of the 'nine-five'. Inside the hall, on the altar, the past seven Buddhas were lined up from east to west, towering and solemn. In front of each Buddha, there were two Bodhisattvas, and on the beam, there were colorful flying apsaras.
Among the past seven Buddhas, the one on the far west is Sakyamuni Buddha, who is said to be the previous life of Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu. Therefore, some people infer that this is very likely based on the concept of 'the king is the Dharma king', corresponding to the 'past seven Buddhas' in Buddhism, from the founding emperor of Liao to Taizu, Taizong, Shizong, Muzong, Jingzong, and Shengzong, a total of seven emperors.
A thousand years have passed, and things have changed. A wooden building has miraculously survived through the long and turbulent times, avoiding wars, lightning, earthquakes, and movements.
When I stand on the high platform of the main hall, looking at it, that glance is a thousand years.
says.vasquez
Jinzhou Yixian Fengguo Temple, a glance at a thousand years
On the map, I zoomed in and looked around Beijing to see which city I could spend the New Year in, and finally chose Jinzhou. But what attracted me more was the Fengguo Temple in Yixian County.
⛩️The Fengguo Temple of the Liao Dynasty and the Wanfo Grottoes of the Northern Wei Dynasty, two historical sites, are not very well preserved. A few years ago, I saw one of the three existing temples of the Liao Dynasty, the Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi, which is much better preserved than the Fengguo Temple. But the Fengguo Temple is more shocking, and a master of a generation has also filmed here. I heard from the explanation that there will be a documentary filmed recently, which should be broadcast on CCTV. The grottoes are even more regrettable. They are severely weathered and there is not much left to see. The scenic area is on the left hand side of the Northern Wei relics, and the right side is newly repaired.
Both locations are in Yixian County, some distance from Jinzhou city, and the transportation is not very convenient. It is more convenient to drive there.
🌅I saw the first ray of sunlight in the new year in the icy sea of Jinzhou, which was healing, romantic and beautiful. The sunrise time is 7:20.
Viewing position: Longtou Reef
🍖Jinzhou's barbecue, delicious but also salty, I played for 4 days and none of them were not salty.
🛕Guangji Temple, I heard that it has been renovated on the original basis, in the Ancient Tower Park.
🛁Hotel & Bath, both are in De Shipo, said to be the ceiling of local baths, but emmm is average, the hotel is still good.
Fengguo Temple
CODY LAMBERT
Fengguo Temple
Fengguo Temple is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, China. It was first built in the ninth year of Kaiping in the Liao Dynasty (1020), originally named Xianxi Temple, and later renamed Fengguo Temple. Fengguo Temple covers an area of about 60,000 square meters.
The Liao, Jin, and Yuan periods were the heyday of Fengguo Temple. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, only the Daxiong Hall remained. During the Qing Dynasty, the Hexagonal Bell Tower, Four-cornered Stele Pavilion, Wuliang Hall, Paifang, Small Mountain Gate, and Xigong Zen Temple were rebuilt. Fengguo Temple is one of the three existing Liao Dynasty temples in China. Its iconic ancient building, the Daxiong Hall, is the largest Buddha Hall left from ancient times, and it houses the oldest and largest group of colored clay Buddha statues in the world.
The main building of Fengguo Temple, the Daxiong Hall, and the overall layout of the temple, inherit the legacy of the Tang Dynasty and initiate the layout of temples in the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It is the most typical example of Liao and Jin temples. Among them, the Daxiong Hall is the highest achievement of Liao Dynasty Buddhist architecture, representing the highest level of Chinese architecture in the 11th century.
In 1961, it was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In 2009, it was rated as a AAAA-level tourist attraction by the China National Tourism Administration.