Nanzhao Temple

Nanzhao Temple is located on the north bank of the Xiaoyin River in Yangbai Gully near Lijiazhuang in Yangbai Township, southwest of Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, 8 kilometers away from Dongye Town. It has a history of more than 1200 years. The temple faces south with its back to the north and covers an area of 3078 square meters. The main structures within the temple include the Mountain Gate (Guanyin Hall), the East and West Side Halls (Bodhisattva Hall and Dragon King Hall), and the Great Hall, forming a quadrangle courtyard-style complex. It is the earliest existing wooden structure in China and a key national cultural heritage site. The Great Hall is the oldest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. The Tang Dynasty sculptures in the temple are exquisite, considered to be treasures of Tang Dynasty sculptural art, and hold significant historical status and artistic value.