The most beautiful Buddha statue in Shanhuasi was originally a Ming Dynasty heavy color only applied with a foundation

The main building materials in ancient China were wood. After the wars of dynastic changes, and because they were prone to decay and fire, they were very difficult to preserve. The earliest known wooden buildings are from the Tang Dynasty, with a total of four in Shanxi. The wooden buildings from the Liao and Jin periods are also very precious. Huayansi only has two, but Shanhuasi has four, which is indeed not easy. 🍁Shanhuasi It was built in the Tang Dynasty, originally named Kaiyuan Temple, and was destroyed during the wars of the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It was rebuilt in the early Jin Dynasty and renamed Shanhuasi in the tenth year of Ming Zhengtong. Heavenly King Hall The mountain gate is also the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the largest existing mountain gate of the Jin Dynasty. The 'eye-catching bag' of Shanhuasi is also in the Hall of Heavenly Kings. It is one of the four great heavenly kings of the Ming Dynasty, the Guangmu Heavenly King, with a slightly silly and cute expression, as if he was scared. Three Saints Hall The architecture of the Liao and Jin Dynasties has a lot of Tang Dynasty style, so the bucket arches are larger, and the Three Saints Hall of Shanhuasi is the most gorgeous, with five layers of oblique arches. And the single-layered roof of the Three Saints Hall is also the most gorgeous curve in the temple. The murals of the Three Saints Hall are very exquisite, left over from the Ming Dynasty. The ancient steles and stone carvings in the hall are historical reference materials and calligraphy art for studying Shanhuasi. These can all be photographed outside the door. Great Buddha Hall The largest hall in Shanhuasi, the base is three meters high, and it is the only Liao Dynasty building in the temple. Like Huayansi, the three main doors of the Great Buddha Hall are all in the shape of lotus petals, representing nobility. Photography is not allowed in the Great Buddha Hall, but it is allowed at the entrance. The aunt in charge of the management kindly reminded us. The most exquisite Liao and Jin statues are all in the Great Buddha Hall. The Buddha of the Five Directions sits on a huge lotus seat, with twenty-four guardian deities on the east and west sides. The Buddha of the Five Directions is round and dignified, elegant and luxurious, and even the caisson is very exquisite. The most beautiful Buddha statue of the Great Merit Heavenly Deity on the west wall is a heavy color of the Ming Dynasty but not yet completed, it is like applying a foundation without makeup. Five Dragon Wall The Five Dragon Wall that was not found in the temple is actually in the square at the entrance. This Five Dragon Wall was built during the Ming Wanli period. It was originally the screen wall in front of Xingguo Temple. Because Xingguo Temple was destroyed in the war, it was moved to the front of Shanhuasi. 🍁Shanhuasi Address: No. 6 Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 Tickets: Free! (Just make a reservation by scanning the code at the door)