Nanchan Temple

Nanchan Temple is located in Li Village, Yangbai Township, Wutai County, Shanxi Province. It is the earliest existing wooden structure in China. Nanchan Temple has a unique architectural style. The main hall is a single-eave Xieshan roof, three rooms wide and four rafters deep. The overall structure is simple and sturdy. The roof of the main hall is very flat, and the eaves are deep, showing the architectural art style of the Tang Dynasty. There are 17 Tang Dynasty colored sculptures preserved in the main hall. These colored sculptures have different shapes and are lifelike, showing the superb skills of Tang Dynasty sculpture art. Although the history of Nanchan Temple can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, the specific creation year is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the third year of Tang Jianzhong (782), and after many repairs, it still retains a large number of Tang Dynasty originals. In 1961, the main hall of Nanchan Temple was announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relics protection unit, further confirming its important position in cultural relics protection. Today, Nanchan Temple not only attracts many tourists and scholars to visit, but also has become a precious material for studying ancient Chinese architecture, sculpture and art. For those who understand Tang Dynasty culture and history, Nanchan Temple is a rare scenic spot.