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9 Incredible Temples In China That You Must Visit
China has one of the world’s oldest civilizations and its vast empire peppers with Buddhist temples. When you cross the doorway of one of these Chinese temples, you enter a realm where time has no meaning.
Since the structure was meticulously created, Buddhism had practiced where you stand in the same manner. That is appropriate since Buddhists believe there is no end to time, either in the past or in the future. Enter China’s zen gardens to immerse yourself in millennia of history.
The Temple Of Heaven:
The Temple of Heaven isn’t a temple; it’s known as the altar. There are no worshipers, monks, or even incense in this place. On the other hand, incredible architectural designs may be present in the center of Beijing.
The garden surrounds by a wall and is accessible from all four directions. Inside, the gardens are painstakingly kept in straight lines to minimize nature’s faults. The temple halls rise above the garden’s grounds. The temples are round, although their foundations are square. They might be a tribute to the traditional notion that heaven is round and the earth is square-shaped.
The park’s major attraction has to be its Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a stunning monument with a triple-eaved blue umbrella canopy situated atop a three-tiered marble terrace.
Visitors are also attracted to echo walls, which have murmurs audible from one side to the other. The whole Confucian building had created by an emperor known as the “Son of Heaven,” who used an altar for prayer to assure the prosperity of his subjects.
Hanging Monastery:
The Hanging Monastery earned its name by being built directly into a cliff 75 meters (246 feet) above the ground. Long stilts drilled directly into the cliffside support magnificent Buddhist prayer structures.
You can only spend a short time at these places of worship because of the little bridges and corridors that connect them. By attracting too many tourists, the foundations of the buildings had damaged. The Hanging Monastery will close to tourists in the foreseeable future due to safety concerns. Hengshan had constructed in 491.
The fact that it has lasted this long is an architectural marvel. Don’t be concerned if you are blocked. The temple itself is rather ordinary. The wonder of fragile constructions cut into the rock face is what makes this temple remarkable.
Lingyin Temple:
Hangzhou, the former capital of the Southern Song Dynasty from 1127 to 1279, is home to a variety of historically significant monuments locates in an area of good natural beauty. The hills encircle Hangzhou and its famed West Lake dots with temples, the most famous of which is Lingyin Temple, which translates as “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat.”
Lingyin Temple, which had created in the 4th century, has a colorful history and being rebuilt more than a dozen times, it is today one of China’s biggest and most successful Buddhist temples.
Lingyin Temple’s biggest lure is the neighboring Feilai Feng grottoes, a network of lush caverns that hold beautiful and wonderfully maintained Buddhist rock sculptures dating back over a thousand years.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda:
Despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the current structure of this iconic Buddhist pagoda (or ci in Chinese) does not resemble the original exactly. However, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the most remarkable temples in China since it is placed among the stunning natural landscape and has retained its distinctive qualities.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is not a replica of the original. Chen Jiong is the photographer.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was the first of the massive monastery-style pagodas erected during the Tang Dynasty, dating from 729 to 783. It is one of China’s most well-known and cherished seventh-century pagodas.
The pagoda locates on the Miluo River, which claims to be the location where a wise lady named Nebu, a hermit named Wu Zetian, and Emperor Taizong of Tang met and signed a pact.
They went to bathe in the river after they had a great discussion, and when the water was pouring back out, there were large wild geese in the river. The birds soared aloft, giving rise to the term “Big Wild Goose Pagoda.”
White Horse Temple:
The White Horse Temple was the first Buddhist temple built in China. The ancient temple, built in 68 AD, is located inside the walls of the former Eastern Han capital. The journey is straightforward since all signage is printed in Mandarin and English for Western tourists.
This temple was updated multiple times throughout history, notably during the Ming and Qing dynasties in the 1950s, and 1973, during the Cultural Revolution. Many chambers of this magnificent temple expose gorgeous gardens and galleries.
Take notice of the beautiful sculptures, such as the two mythological lions at the entrance, The Jade Buddha, the well-known Sakyamuni, and the Maitreya Buddhas.
Jokhang Temple:
Visitors to China often come for two reasons: to enjoy the breathtaking alpine landscape and to immerse themselves in the mystical ambiance of Tibet’s holy sites. The Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is the core of Tibetan Buddhism and regards as the holiest and most significant temple in the area.
Worshippers from all across China gather here, and since it is home to hundreds of monks, it is the ideal spot to experience true Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Aside from its religious importance, Jokhang Temple has an interesting history dating back to 652, when it was erected to contain Buddhist sculptures sent as dowries by the then-two king’s wives. The temple, which combines traditional Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian styles, is also a place of considerable architectural appeal, making it a must-see sight for every visitor to China.
Longmen Cave Temples:
The Longmen Grottoes, also known as Longmen Caves or Dragon’s Cave, is well-known for its Buddhist art collection. The work is spread over 100,000 carved panels and was created by stone carvers some 500 years ago.
Emperor Taizong initiated the construction of the first Longmen Grottoes during the Tang Dynasty. Workers dug 5 kilometers below the surface to carve the caverns and reliefs from local limestone, one of China’s most renowned construction materials for monasteries and temples.
Oracle bones with the first known writings in Chinese writing were discovered in the Longmen Cave Temples during the Shang Dynasty.
The Longmen Grottoes are a magnificent example of Buddhist cave art. The stunning splendor of the art shown here is unparalleled in China.
Lama Temple:
Even though it locates in the heart of one of the world’s largest cities, Beijing’s Lama Temple, or Yonghe Temple, has become renowned as the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet.
The structure, which erects as an imperial mansion in 1694, was turned into a lamasery in 1722 and has remained thus ever since. It is typical to see monks in brightly colored robes and residents alike praying and burning incense at this bustling monastery of the Tibetan Gelug sect, giving the temple a real and serene ambiance.
The temple’s five great halls feature a variety of stunning sculptures, including an 18-meter Maitreya Buddha statue that was inducted into the Guinness Book of Records in 1993 as the world’s largest statue constructed of a single piece of wood. These sacred artifacts, together with Lama Temple’s one-of-a-kind and spectacular design, make it well worth a visit during your time in Beijing and one of our choices of Incredible Temples In China That You Must Visit
Shaolin Temple:
Shaolin Temple, located in the southern Chinese town of Dengfeng, is one of China’s most renowned Buddhist temples. The Shaolin monks who battled alongside the Southern Song Dynasty against the Jurched people in the late 13th century gave the temple its name. It locates in the south-central area of Dengfeng.
The Shaolin Temple is one of the most significant pilgrimage places for Buddhists across the world, as well as primary historical and cultural preservation in China. Shaolin Temple was the heart of the Buddhist world during the Song Dynasty (10th century) and is the origin of Tiandihui.
The Relic Temple, Abbot’s Residence, the Main Hall, the Memorial Pavilion, the General Abbot’s Residence, the Hall of Essence, and the Drum Tower are among the temple’s cultural sites.
The Buddhist Main Hall, the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, the Bell and Drum Pavilions, the Incense Burner Square, the Buddhist Textile Village, the Buddhist Textile Factory, and the Buddhist Pilgrimage Site are all part of the massive siheyuan complex.
Conclusion and summary of the 9 Incredible Temples In China That You Must Visit:
Aside from the temples listed in the list, China is home to numerous other temples with a long and illustrious history. So, if you ever get the opportunity to visit China, plan your vacation carefully and visit these temples, learn about their history, and become lost in the fascinating country of China.
Hope you enjoyed reading about the 9 Incredible Temples In China That You Must Visit.
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