Longxing Temple(Big Buddha Temple)

Longxing Temple, also known as the Great Buddha Temple, is one of China's most historically significant Buddhist monasteries with extensive architectural scale and remarkable preservation. This ancient architectural complex holds outstanding historical and cultural value as a monumental religious site.

Longxing Temple traces its origins back to 586 AD during the Sui Dynasty, initially named Longcang Temple before being renamed during the Tang Dynasty. In 971 AD under Emperor Taizu of the Northern Song Dynasty, an imperial decree commissioned the casting of a magnificent 42-arm bronze statue of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Bodhisattva within the temple, accompanied by the construction of the Great Mercy Pavilion. Subsequent expansions formed a Song Dynasty architectural complex centered around this pavilion. The temple underwent repairs and additions during the Jin, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties. Major renovations ordered during the reigns of Kangxi and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty established its final layout: monastic living quarters in the east, Buddhist ceremonial spaces in the center, and imperial lodging in the west. In 1710, Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed the "Longxing Temple" plaque as a mark of reverence. From the late Qing through the Republic era, social upheaval and warfare led to the temple's decline. After the founding of New China, systematic restoration and preservation efforts by the government gradually restored the temple to its former grandeur.

Longxing Temple boasts an expansive scale and diverse architectural styles, stretching approximately 600 meters from north to south and 200 meters from east to west. Its main structures are symmetrically arranged along a central axis, featuring key buildings such as the Heavenly King Hall, Mani Hall, Ordination Platform, Great Mercy Pavilion, Amitabha Hall, Vairocana Hall, and Dragon Soaring Garden from south to north. Visitors can explore along the central axis, with a complete tour typically taking 2–3 hrs. The temple is also known as the "Great Buddha Temple," a name derived from its enshrined 21.3-meter-tall Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin statue in the Great Mercy Pavilion. This majestic bronze statue, commissioned by Emperor Zhao Kuangyin during the Northern Song Dynasty, stands as one of China's most monumental ancient copper-cast Buddhist sculptures, earning the temple its nickname and making it a must-see attraction.

The Mani Hall is another must-see highlight, featuring a vividly colored seated Avalokitesvara statue on its northern wall. This unique statue combines lifelike realism with divine beauty in its posture and vibrant hues. Lu Xun once praised it as "personifying divinity," earning it the title "Goddess of Eastern Beauty." The hall itself boasts distinct Song Dynasty architecture, with its original structure preserved. Its particularly special bracket set design was hailed by renowned architect Liang Sicheng as a "singular example" of Song-era construction, making it an architectural masterpiece of immense artistic and research value.

Beyond these two main attractions, the temple houses other equally precious artifacts and structures. These include the Longxing Temple Ordination Platform in the Ordination Hall, the Northern Song Dynasty revolving sutra cabinet in the Revolving Sutra Cabinet Hall, the 7.4-meter-tall Northern Song wooden Maitreya statue in the Cishi Pavilion, imperial stele inscriptions by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong in the Imperial Stele Pavilion, and the Sui Dynasty Longcang Temple Stele revered as the "origin of regular script"—all rare historical treasures worth admiring in detail. Additionally, the Dajue Liushi Hall ruins and Longteng Garden offer unique experiences, making them highly recommended stops for visitors.