Learn about the Zhen Guo Temple of the Northern Han Dynasty

Zhen Guo Temple, located to the northeast of Pingyao County, was founded in the seventh year of Tianhui (963) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period under the Northern Han Dynasty, originally named Jingcheng Temple. It was renamed 'Zhen Guo Temple' during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and has been known as such ever since. 📜 The Construction of Zhen Guo Temple After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, China entered the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, among which the Northern Han was one, with the smallest territory nestled between the Song and Liao Dynasties, in what is now the central and southern part of Shanxi. The saying 'leaning on the great Liao for a cool shade' reflects that the Northern Han persisted until the end among the states that were annexed by the Later Zhou (Northern Song). Neither Emperor Chai Rong of the Later Zhou nor Emperor Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty could conquer it, until Emperor Taizong of Song (Zhao Guangyi) finally succeeded after several failed attempts and resorting to setting Jin Yang city ablaze and flooding it. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, as well as the Northern and Southern Dynasties, wars were frequent, people's lives were hopeless, and they placed their hopes in the afterlife. Buddhism naturally became the best spiritual fortress. Hence, the numerous Buddhist statues known as the 'Smile of Northern Qi' appeared, indicating that the ruling class lacked ambition and focused on extensively building temples. To use a line from the movie 'Infernal Affairs,' it was a case of 'May Buddha bless us!' 🌈 Highlights of Zhen Guo Temple · The oldest building in the temple, the Wanfo Hall, is one of the three ancient Five Dynasties buildings in the country; · The colored sculptures in the Wanfo Hall are the only Five Dynasties works preserved in temple buildings nationwide; · The Heavenly King Hall from the Yuan Dynasty; · The Three Buddha Pavilion (murals recommended), Erlang Hall, and Earth God Hall from the Ming Dynasty; · The Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Sanling Hall from the Qing Dynasty...