Shanhua Temple, Datong, Shanxi Travel Guide

Shanhua Temple in Datong, Shanxi is a Buddhist temple with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Attraction Introduction Shanhua Temple is located at No. 6, Nansi Street, Datong Ancient City, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty, but was destroyed by war. It was rebuilt in the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and is one of the most complete Liao and Jin temples in China. The main buildings in the temple, such as the Sansheng Hall and the Mahavira Hall, are all located on the north-south central axis, and Shanhua Temple has no mountain gate. The Mahavira Hall in the temple is the largest hall in Shanhua Temple. It was built in the Liao Dynasty and rebuilt in the Jin Dynasty. The hall houses the "Five Buddhas" and the statues of the Twenty-Four Heavens, which are all masterpieces of Jin Dynasty statues. The Sansheng Hall houses the statues of the "Three Saints of Huayan", which are vivid and lifelike. In addition, the Five Dragon Wall, which was moved here in the 1980s, can be seen in the square in front of the temple gate. It is a relic from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Opening Hours and Tickets Shanhua Temple is open from 08:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 17:00). The ticket price is CNY 15. Transportation Guide Public Transportation: There are several bus lines in Datong City that can reach Shanhua Temple. Self-driving: There is a tourist parking lot on the west side of the square, a roadside parking area, and a Yongtai Street parking lot near the temple, which is convenient for self-driving tourists to park. Tour Route It is recommended to start the tour from the mountain gate and head north along the central axis, visiting the main buildings such as the Sansheng Hall and the Mahavira Hall in turn. During the tour, you can enjoy the precious cultural relics such as clay sculptures and murals in the temple. Notes Respect religious beliefs and do not make loud noises or take photos in the temple. Protect cultural relics and do not scribble or damage cultural relics. Pay attention to safety, especially when walking in the temple, and pay attention to steps and railings. Shanhua Temple, Datong, Shanxi Shanhua Temple in Datong is not only a religious place, but also a witness to history, witnessing the development of Buddhism in China, as well as the prosperity and changes of ancient cities. Here, you can feel the profoundness of Buddhist culture and appreciate the exquisite skills of ancient architectural art.