Journey to Shanxi - Kaifah Temple in Gaoping

Kaifah Temple, originally named Qingliang Ruolan, was established in the second year of Wuping in the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD). The temple faces south with two courtyards, composed of Dabeige (i.e., the mountain gate), Bell and Drum Tower, Daxiong Baodian, Yanfatang, Yanbin House, Weimo Clean Room, Guanyin Pavilion, East and West Peidian and two sides. Dabeige is a Ming Dynasty building, Daxiong Baodian is a Song Dynasty building, the Guanyin Pavilion in the east corner is a Jin Dynasty relic, the East Peidian in the backyard and the east and west corner towers are Yuan Dynasty buildings, and the rest are Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. The temple has well-preserved Song Dynasty murals in ancient Chinese architecture, which can be called the 'Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival' in the mural world. Daxiong Baodian is a Song Dynasty building, with a large broken window in the front eaves. The names and dates of the donors are carved on the eaves pillars, providing the exact date of the temple's construction and clearly demonstrating the cultural value of this building. The beam and frame structure, douqi, etc., are all Song Dynasty regulations. The painted patterns on the beams and douqi inside the temple are very exquisite, and Daxiong Baodian is extremely consistent with the painted patterns in the Song 'Construction Method'. The temple houses murals painted from the seventh year of Yuanhua in the Northern Song Dynasty (1092 AD) to the second year of Shaosheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1096 AD), with a total area of 88.2 square meters. The east wall is a change of the Huayan Sutra, a total of four volumes: the west wall and the west side of the north wall are a change of the Baoen Sutra, a total of four volumes: the east side of the north wall is a change of the Shangsheng Sutra, one volume. Overall, the murals have many characters and exquisite techniques, making them rare treasures. You cannot enter Daxiong Baodian, but the digital results displayed in the side halls on both sides have restored the murals inside the temple, which can be viewed up close. Travel tips: 1. Address: Sheli Mountain, Chenqu Town, Gaoping City 2. Tickets: Free 3. Parking: 10 yuan