Shanxi is amazing! Qingxu Temple in Pingyao

Qingxu Temple dates back to the second year of the Xianqing period of the Tang dynasty (657 AD) and was originally called Taiping Temple. In the first year of the Zhiping period of the Song dynasty (1064 AD), it was renamed Qingxu Temple by imperial decree. Today, this ancient Taoist temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit and is undergoing careful restoration. It is not yet open to the public. Longhu Hall, the mountain gate of Qingxu Temple, was built in the early Yuan dynasty. Under the eaves stand two colorful sculptures with distinctive Yuan dynasty artistic features: the Azure Dragon on the east side and the White Tiger on the west side. They are five meters tall, and standing in front of them is an indescribable shock, as if you can never see enough or see through them. The facial lines of the sculptures are smooth and round, with raised eyebrows, slightly flared nostrils, weapons in hand, and arms outstretched, showing a majestic and powerful aura. The colorful ribbons fluttering around them form a sharp contrast, highlighting the restrained heroism and the spirit of the warriors. This clever artistic treatment greatly enhances the appeal and vitality of the work, making these two colorful sculptures seem no longer cold clay works, but living, flesh-and-blood warrior gods. For hundreds of years, they have silently accompanied each other.