[2025 Yi County Attraction] Travel Guide for Guangsheng Temple Pagoda (Updated Apr)

In today's tourism boom, while many popular spots are crowded with visitors, there's a hidden gem in western Liaoning - Yixian County, which quietly exudes its unique charm, waiting for people to uncover its mysteries. Yixian, an ancient city with over 2,200 years of history, is like a thick history book with every page filled with stories. Since its establishment as a commandery during the Yan and Qin dynasties and as a county in the early Han dynasty, it has witnessed the rise and fall of the Five Yan and Liao Xiao dynasties. Along the historical river of multi-ethnic integration, it has painted a magnificent scroll. The Buddhist and Taoist cultures nurtured here complement each other brilliantly. Many historical figures have emerged from this region - Zhuanxu, one of the "Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors," expanded territory here; the Former Yan royal Murong Wei built Daji City along the Daling River; and numerous outstanding figures like Empress Dowager Xiao Chuo of the Liao Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty's famous minister Yelü Chucai left their marks here, creating a profound cultural heritage. When we set foot on this land, we're first drawn to the ancient buildings that carry thousands of years of history. Fengguo Temple is undoubtedly Yixian's brightest pearl. As one of the eight major Liao structures and a royal temple of the Liao Dynasty, it was built in 1020 (the ninth year of Liao Kaitai) and has nearly 1,000 years of history. Entering the Main Hall, you'll find the world's oldest and largest collection of colored clay Buddha statues. The solemn Buddha statues, exquisite paintings, and carvings tell stories of past glory in every detail. Famous architect Liang Sicheng praised it as a "thousand-year national treasure." The entrance fee is 40 yuan, and you can spend 2-3 hours here, try delicious zen food for 1 yuan, and experience the fusion of history and religion in a serene atmosphere. The Guangsheng Temple Pagoda, not far from Fengguo Temple, was built during the Liao Kaitai period and is one of the well-preserved Liao pagodas in the north. The towering pagoda appears particularly ancient and elegant in the sunset. With a 10-yuan ticket and 30 minutes to 1 hour to spare, you can appreciate the unique architectural style and exquisite craftsmanship of the Liao Dynasty. When the breeze blows, the wind chimes on the eaves ring gently, as if playing a melody that spans a millennium. The Wanfo Caves, as the oldest and largest cave complex in Northeast China, is renowned alongside the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes as the three major Northern Wei grottoes, celebrated as a treasure house of northern cave statue art. Regrettably, due to inadequate protection, only a small portion remains visible today. Nevertheless, the remaining Buddha statues and murals still showcase the ancient craftsmen's superior skills and the prosperity of Buddhist culture at that time. With a 40-yuan ticket and 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore, every statue and carving here tells visitors tales of time's passage. The Antai Gate, the only surviving gate among Yixian's four ancient city gates, has nearly 600 years of history. It stands quietly, witnessing the city's transformation and development. Free to visit and requiring only 10 minutes, you can feel the weight of history beneath this ancient gate. On special nights, you might be lucky enough to catch projection shows and light performances depicting Yixian's history, further experiencing the charm of this ancient city. The old Yixian Railway Station, recording the historical changes of Yixian, has become a popular photo spot. It has its unique charm both day and night, especially when illuminated in the evening, adding a touch of mystery. It's free to visit, and a 10-minute stay can create many beautiful memories. Additionally, there's the Bata Mountain pagoda forest built to commemorate eight stages of Buddha's life, with pagodas of varying heights arranged in perfect harmony; the Qingta Zen Temple, built in the Liao Dynasty with its magnificent octagonal thirteen-tiered solid brick pagoda and thriving incense offerings; and the Baolin Tower, known as the "Hanging Temple of the Northeast," with legends of historical figures like Emperor Yan and Emperor Qianlong - each site has its unique characteristics waiting for visitors to explore. In Yixian, besides the breathtaking ancient architecture, there's a variety of local cuisine to savor. The traditional dishes at Maolou Restaurant, the unique flavors of Magang BBQ, the classic taste of flavored pot-stewed meat, and the smooth, tender Liaoxi water tofu - each dish is like a key unlocking the gastronomic memories of Yixian. If you're planning to visit Yixian, transportation is very convenient. You can take the high-speed rail or train to Yixian Station, or choose to drive or hire a car. For accommodation, the Fengguo Temple homestay offers a closer experience of the temple's tranquility and mystery, while 7 Days Inn provides convenient and comfortable lodging. For touring routes, a one-day trip can follow Wanfo Caves -> Fengguo Temple -> Guangsheng Temple Pagoda -> Antai Gate -> Old Yixian Railway Station, which is compact and fulfilling. A two-day trip allows for a more in-depth experience: Day 1 visiting Baolin Tower -> Old Yixian Railway Station -> Fengguo Temple -> Guangsheng Temple Pagoda -> Antai Gate, and Day 2 exploring Wanfo Caves -> Bata Mountain -> Qingta Zen Temple. Remember to do research beforehand or find a guide to better understand the stories behind these sites. The best lighting at Fengguo Temple is around 3 PM, and you might even encounter cute squirrels. A day pass is more economical for one-day tours. The road to Bata Mountain isn't in great condition, so it's better to use a vehicle with high ground clearance. If time permits, you can also explore more mysteries at the Sino-German Paleontological Museum. In this fast-paced era, we're always searching for places where our souls can find peace. Yixian, this thousand-year-old city full of historical heritage and natural scenery, is like a paradise away from the hustle and bustle, waiting for us to discover its beauty and feel its charm. Before the ancient buildings become heavily restricted, while that rustic tranquility remains pure, why not take a spontaneous trip this weekend to Yixian? Start a dialogue with history and nature, and create unforgettable memories.

Yi County, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, the first shot of the Liaoshen Campaign, the ancient pagoda grottoes and Fengguo Temple. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

There is a thousand-year-old city hidden in Liaoning Province, which is Yixian County, formerly known as Yizhou. Here, you can not only see the rise and fall of the Five Yan and the Great Liao, but also see historical sites such as the "Millennium National Treasure"! Fengguo Temple is one of them, and it is also the filming location of "The Grandmaster". [Opening Hours]: April 1 to October 31: 8:00–16:30 (last entry at 16:00) November 1 to March 31: 8:30–16:00 (last entry at 15:30) [Ticket Price]: Recommended [Fengguo Temple, Wanfo Cave] Joint ticket: CNY 69/person [Fengguo Temple, Wanfo Cave, Antai Gate Ruins] Joint ticket: CNY 79/person Single attraction ticket price: Fengguo Temple: CNY 50 Wanfo Cave: CNY 40 Antai Gate: CNY 10 Guangsheng Temple: CNY 10 [Activities]: Mahavira Hall: The main building of Fengguo Temple, the largest and highest-grade wooden structure among the ancient Buddhist temples in China, represents the highest level of Chinese architecture in the 11th century. The reason why the Mahavira Hall is not called the Mahavira Treasure Hall is that the rare treasures in the world are already in the hall. Liao Dynasty Painted Sculptures: The most important and precious treasures in the Mahavira Hall are 23 painted sculptures from the Liao Dynasty, including the world's oldest, largest, and most exquisite painted clay sculpture group of the Liao Dynasty, the "Seven Buddhas of the Past", as well as 14 Bodhisattvas and two Vajra Warriors. "Seven Buddhas of the Past": More than 9 meters high, sitting in one hall, majestic. From east to west, they are Kasyapa Buddha, Krakucchanda Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, Vipasyin Buddha, Visvabhu Buddha, Kanakamuni Buddha, and Sakyamuni Buddha. The Vipasyin Buddha in the middle is the tallest, reaching 9.5 meters. "The Most Beautiful Bodhisattva": The Bodhisattva on the east side of Kanakamuni Buddha, with a smile on his face, seems to be telling a story. Reclining Guanyin: Behind the Vipasyin Buddha, there is a reclining Guanyin statue with a male appearance, which was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. In the movie "The Grandmaster", the scene where Zhang Ziyi, who plays Gong Er, worships Buddha in the temple was filmed here, and it has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos. [Itinerary]: Recommended route: Fengguo Temple - Wanfo Cave - Antai Gate Ruins (or Guangsheng Temple Tower) Fengguo Temple: [Thousand-year-old Temple] Praised as the "Supreme National Treasure"! One of the eight Liao structures, the all-wood structure is a miracle in architectural history! It is also the filming location of "The Grandmaster". Wanfo Cave: Known as one of the three major grottoes of the Northern Wei Dynasty along with "Longmen" and "Yungang", it is the largest grotto group in Northeast China! Although the wind and sand have passed, the scenery of that time can still be seen. Antai Gate Ruins: 600 years of history, the only remaining ancient city gate in Yixian County. Guangsheng Temple Tower: An ancient and solemn Liao Dynasty ancient tower, standing quietly among the alleys of western Liaoning. [Food Recommendations] There is Zen food in the Fengguo Temple Scenic Area, which you can try. Mao Lou Restaurant: Monday to Sunday 05:00–21:00, No. 38-4, North of Dongjie Road, Yixian County, Jinzhou City.

On the first day in Yixian, I didn't have time to see Guangsheng Temple Pagoda before dark. The next day, I planned to go to Beizhen. The bus was at 9:10 am, so I planned to visit Guangsheng Temple Pagoda at 8:00 am. The ticket for Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is CNY 10, but it was not open at 8:00 am. The brick pagoda is 49.9 meters high, and the base is 3 meters high. You can see most of it from outside the courtyard. 🎁🎁🎁 The standard type of Liaoning Liao Pagoda: octagonal dense-eaves solid brick pagoda, very similar in shape, with the layout of "one main deity, two attendants, three canopies, two flying deities, and the main deity sitting in the niche" on each side of the first floor of the pagoda. ✍🏻️ Guangsheng Temple Pagoda was built over a thousand years ago. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit of the seventh batch. It was originally called Jiafu Temple Pagoda. On May 1, 1980, a sutra pillar was excavated outside the south terrace of the pagoda, with the inscription: Daliao State Yizhou Guangsheng Temple, former monk, Keju, pillar record. Door resources, Huai Zhi, built. Wei Qiantong seven years Wuxun first month February 29. Therefore, it was renamed Guangsheng Temple Pagoda. ✍🏻️ Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is a Liao Dynasty brick pagoda. There is controversy about the construction date. One theory is that it was built during the Liao Kaitai period (1020 AD), and another theory is that it was built in the seventh year of Liao Qiantong (1107 AD). ✍🏻️ After a thousand years of vicissitudes, the upper part of the brick pagoda is severely damaged, and the pagoda finial is no longer there. In 2012, Guangsheng Temple Pagoda was repaired, with the pagoda body and finial repaired and lightning protection devices installed. The original height of the pagoda was 42.5 meters, and it is now 49.9 meters. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an octagonal dense-eaves solid brick pagoda with thirteen floors, about 49.9 meters high. The pagoda platform is a regular octagon, with each side 6 meters long and 2.9 meters high. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is not far from Fengguo Temple and can be seen from the road. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is full of fireworks, with old houses on both sides of the alley, crisscrossing wires like a staff 🎼, arc-top bungalows, and locals like jumping notes 🎶, endlessly. ✔️ No tips, if you want to go inside, buy a ticket for CNY 10. If you don't want to go inside, it's almost the same outside. If you are taking photos with a camera, remember to bring a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens.

Fireworks every year Morning and evening Peace every year Guangsheng Temple has three unique features: One tower, one scripture, one mural The wonders of left and right Xuan Bo Tang One tower: Feihong Glazed Pagoda was built in the Ming Dynasty; One Classic: "Zhaocheng Golden Collection" Tripitaka, the first woodcut edition of the Song Dynasty, originally stored in the National Library; A mural: Located in the Water Temple under the Guangsheng Temple, it is the only mural not with a Buddhist theme; One wonder: Planted during the Dezong period of the Tang Dynasty, the left and right spiral cypress trees, the main trunk of the cypress tree on the left rotates to the left and grows upward, and the one on the right also rotates to the right and grows upward, standing like two guardians for 1,200 years.

The Sculpture of Time--The 900-Year-Old Liao and Jin Dynasty Brick Pagoda Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is located in Yixian County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, about one kilometer southwest of the Fengguo Temple. After visiting Fengguo Temple, you can come here to take a look. Guangsheng Temple Pagoda is an octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave style brick pagoda, which was built at the end of the Liao Dynasty. Construction was halted at the fourth floor due to the war between the Liao and Jin dynasties, and it was continued during the Jin Dynasty, completing the fifth to thirteenth floors. The entire construction of the pagoda spanned two dynasties, and it is speculated that the pagoda was initially built around the seventh year of the Tianqing era of the Liao Dynasty (around 1117), with the fourth to thirteenth floors being completed after the third year of the Tiande era of the Jin Dynasty. It is most likely built for Fengguo Temple, and it is most appropriate to call it the Fengguo Temple Relic Pagoda. The Guangsheng Temple Pagoda has blue brick reliefs on each side of the pagoda body, with sculptures of seated Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, attendants, flying apsaras, treasure covers, warriors, and auspicious beasts. Despite being weathered over time, what we see is full of the traces of time.

how many people know It turns out that the Khitan people also believe in Guanyin... I thought that we people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai believed in Guanyin, but it turned out that the nomadic Khitans also believed in Guanyin and respected her as their family god. What is even more exaggerated is that the queen of Daozong of the Liao Dynasty was named Xiao Guanyin. The Liao Pagoda of Guangsheng Temple in Yixian County, Liaoning, It was she who financed the new construction. I have to admit that the Khitan people were very accomplished in building Liao pagodas. Among the remaining remains of the Liao Dynasty, apart from the eight major Liao structures, they are the Liao pagoda. The Liao pagoda of Guangsheng Temple is the best among them. One of the three treasures of this small town in Yixian 🏯About Guangsheng Temple Liao Pagoda Built in the Liao Dynasty, it is an octagonal solid brick tower with dense eaves. Especially the height under the dense eaves ranks first among many ancient brick towers in Liaoning. The relief carving skills on the tower body are outstanding. 📸What to watch ✅Pagoda base: Each side is embossed with a lion beast, and there are also Jilotian and Lux. ✅Pagoda body: There are reliefs on all eight sides, and the middle niche is dedicated to Guanyin + Feitian. ✅Tower eaves: I didn’t see the angle clearly. The tower is really high... Guangsheng Temple Liao Pagoda Why add high walls and big iron gates? Local people: "The pagoda and the underground palace are still there, but I'm afraid thieves will miss them." By the way, we don’t have this skill either…