Touring Kaifeng: Da Xiangguo Temple, Kaifeng Mansion, and Bao Gong Ancestral Temple

Da Xiangguo Temple 🪔Da Xiangguo Temple is one of the iconic buildings in Kaifeng. During the Song Dynasty, it was the largest temple in the capital and the center of Buddhist activities nationwide. In addition to the Bell and Drum Towers, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the Mahavira Hall, the most worthwhile sight is the octagonal glazed hall (also known as the Arhat Hall) and the statue of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva within it, which is the treasure of Da Xiangguo Temple. Due to the sacredness of the Buddha statue, photography was not permitted, but both the materials and the craftsmanship are nothing short of miraculous. 🎫There is a joint ticket for Da Xiangguo Temple and Kaifeng Mansion available on Ctrip, but it's not much cheaper than buying them separately. Kaifeng Mansion From Da Xiangguo Temple to Kaifeng Mansion, you will pass Zhou Bridge and the Bian River ruins. If you have purchased a pass for ten scenic spots, you can take a detour to visit them. I have other articles that talk about this separately. ☀️Kaifeng has a 'Bao Qingtian', and Kaifeng Mansion was where Judge Bao worked. In fact, before becoming emperors, three of the Northern Song Dynasty emperors served here💼, and other notable figures such as Kou Zhun, Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan, Su Shi, and Sima Guang also worked here, making it a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. 🗺️Our route started from the front (south) to the back (north), following the traditional central axis of the government office, then from the east side from back (north) to front (south) through the Imperial Examination Hall, Qingxin Tower, Qianlong Palace, and the garden, and then crossing to the west side from front (south) to back (north) through the prison, the six departments, the drill ground, and Tianqing Temple. The second phase is still under construction in the west. The whole scenic area is quite large. Additionally, it is written on the walls of the male death row in the prison that Yang Zhi, who killed Niu Er with a knife, was once imprisoned here. 🎫As mentioned above, there is a joint ticket available on Ctrip. Bao Gong Ancestral Temple Bao Gong Ancestral Temple is just across Bao Gong Lake from Kaifeng Mansion, but you have to walk around half the lake to get there. The ancestral temple is not very big, and if you're short on time, it's not a must-visit.💦To the east of Bao Gong Ancestral Temple is a well called Lianquan, which legend says quenches the thirst of the common people; it's sweet and fragrant for honest officials; but for corrupt officials, it causes a prickling in the throat and splitting headaches, and they must drink a bowl of dog urine to alleviate the pain.