[2025 Zhangzi Attraction] Travel Guide for Chongqing Temple (Updated Jun)

Nestled in the southeastern foothills of Ziyun Mountain, 22 kilometers from Changzi County in Changzhi, Shanxi, lies a thousand-year-old temple—Chongqing Temple. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, this serene and secluded site is truly a hidden gem. Though modest in size (about 1,650 square meters), it houses national treasure-level artistic masterpieces! In 1996, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. A Thousand-Year Legacy with Song Dynasty Charm Chongqing Temple was founded in the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1016). Its key sculptures were completed in the second year of the Yuanfeng era (1079). Despite later renovations, the most precious essence of Song Dynasty art still quietly shines here. Compact Layout, Concentrated Treasures The temple faces south and features two small courtyards. On the central axis are the Tianwang Hall (Mountain Gate) and the main hall, Qianfo Hall. The western side houses the San Dashi Hall (Arhat Hall), which is the absolute highlight! The Dizang Hall in the northwest corner also holds treasures. The Temple's Crown Jewel: Priceless Song Dynasty Clay Sculptures The most awe-inspiring aspect of Chongqing Temple isn't its architecture but its well-preserved Northern Song Dynasty clay sculptures, especially the eighteen Arhats in the San Dashi Hall: 1️⃣ Qianfo Hall: Features one Buddha, two Bodhisattvas, and a seated Guanyin, exuding ancient Song charm. 2️⃣ Tianwang Hall: Displays the Four Heavenly Kings, radiating majesty. 3️⃣ Dizang Hall: Houses sculptures of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings, masterpieces from 1079 with exquisite craftsmanship. 4️⃣ The Highlight of Highlights: Arhat Hall! - Central figures: Guanyin (riding a mythical beast), Manjushri (seated on a lion), and Samantabhadra (mounted on an elephant), all grand and dignified. - Side walls: Eighteen life-sized Arhat statues (about 1.6–1.7 meters tall), the true "stars" of the temple! Core Value: These are the only existing Song Dynasty Arhats in China with a confirmed "birth certificate"! The hall's inscriptions provide solid evidence: they were sculpted in the second year of the Yuanfeng era (1079). Despite enduring a millennium, the Song Dynasty artistry still captivates. Artistic Highlights: - Realism: Robust physiques and lifelike facial features make them seem like Song-era "real people" meditating here. - Dynamism: Clothing folds are sculpted with raised clay strips, showcasing fluidity and movement. - Spirit: Each expression is unique—thoughtful, smiling, solemn—imbued with distinct personalities, as if the artisans infused their souls into the work. - Excellence: A blend of realism and spirituality, solemnity with human warmth, epitomizing Eastern aesthetics. Why You Must Visit❓️ This set of Song Dynasty Arhats, the only ones with a confirmed date, serves as a golden benchmark for studying Chinese sculpture history! Their exceptional craftsmanship, vivid individuality, and seamless fusion of religious sanctity with worldly charm make them a true national treasure. Travel Tips: ⛳ Location: Southeastern foothills of Ziyun Mountain, Changzi County, Changzhi, Shanxi (recommended to drive or hire a car). 👀 Highlights: Head straight to the Arhat Hall to experience the awe of thousand-year-old Song sculptures. Don't miss Qianfo Hall and Dizang Hall either.

🌟My love for ancient Chinese architecture was awakened, and I avoided the super popular Taiyuan and the crowded tourist spots of Datong. Instead, I discovered Changzhi, which also preserves ancient buildings dating back thousands of years.👏👏 It has over a thousand well-preserved historical sites, with its history tracing back to the Tang Dynasty. Each attraction carries a thousand years of history. Changzhi has many unique and unparalleled (in the country) reliefs, painted sculptures, murals, and various ancient buildings!🔥🔥 Follow my route and embark on this wonderful journey through thousands of years to feel the weight and depth of history. 🌟: Changzhi 2-Day Tour Guide! (The destinations are relatively scattered, so I recommend driving or renting a car.) 👉 Day 1: Chongqing Temple → Xiahuo Huguo Lingkuang Wang Temple → Guanyin Hall (Must-see) → Faxing Temple → Zhongzhang Fuxi Temple → Zhengjue Temple Food recommendations: Cat ear noodles, donkey meat flatbread, Changzi pig head meat, ghee sesame cake, stir-fried pancake, Huguan mutton 👉 Day 2: Zhuozhang River Valley: Tiantai Temple → Yuanqi Temple → Dayun Temple → Fotou Temple → Chunhua Temple → Huilong Temple → Xia Yu Shrine → Longmen Temple 🙇: There are very few places to eat here, so I recommend bringing your own food for each day. Stay in the city at night, otherwise you'll have to eat instant noodles like I did. 👍👍Top recommendations Longmen Temple - An unparalleled ancient architecture museum, with one courtyard spanning five dynasties. Tickets are 20💷. Tiantai Temple - One of the few remaining wooden Guanyin halls from the Later Tang and Five Dynasties periods in the country - a combination of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. It is also an important filming location for Black Myth: Wukong. Chongqing Temple - Northern Song Dynasty sculptures, the Eighteen Arhats are lifelike. Dayun Temple - The only remaining Five Dynasties murals in temples and Taoist temples in China.

📍 Attraction Introduction Chongqing Temple, a thousand-year-old temple nestled on the slopes of Ziyun Mountain in Changzi County, Changzhi, Shanxi Province, was first built in the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu reign of the Northern Song Dynasty (1016) and was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 1996! Not only is it a filming location for "Black Myth: Wukong," but it is also a "living museum of Song Dynasty painted sculptures." Surrounded by mountains on three sides and embraced by pine and cypress trees, the temple boasts a compact layout resembling a courtyard house. The Song and Ming Dynasty architecture complements the painted sculptures, making it a true "gem of ancient Chinese architectural art." ✨ Must-See Highlights 1️⃣ The Pinnacle of Song Dynasty Painted Sculptures: The 18 Arhat statues from the Northern Song Dynasty (the earliest dated group of Arhat statues in China!) in the Hall of the Three Great Bodhisattvas are renowned for their realistic muscle lines and lifelike expressions, earning them the title of "Crown of Song Sculptures" by experts! The statues of Guanyin, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra, riding their divine beasts with flowing robes, are breathtakingly detailed. 2️⃣ Marvels of Ming Dynasty Hanging Sculptures: The hanging sculptures of the Ten Kings of Hell and the Buddhist realm in the Ksitigarbha Hall are vibrant in color and bursting with three-dimensionality! The wrathful and majestic figures of the Kings of Hell and their judges, along with the celestial maidens in the upper pavilions, transport you to a mythical world. 3️⃣ Millennium-Old Wooden Architectural Miracle: The main hall, the Thousand Buddha Hall, retains its original Northern Song Dynasty structure, featuring a hip-and-gable roof, angled pillars, and Song Dynasty glazed windows. Its intricate beam structure is so precise that not a single nail is superfluous, a delight for ancient architecture enthusiasts! 📖 Historical Stories The temple has weathered the storms of a thousand years, miraculously surviving even the "Cultural Revolution," thanks to the desperate protection of the local people. During the Ming Dynasty restoration, artisans left behind "time codes" in the form of glazed inscriptions, allowing us to clearly read the construction records from the Jiajing period. 💭 Personal Experience Stepping into the temple is like pressing the pause button on time! The eyes of the Song Dynasty Arhats seem to pierce your soul, and every corner of the Ming Dynasty hanging sculptures tells a story. Here, there is no commercial hustle and bustle, only the tranquility of Zen under the shade of ancient pines, where even your breath carries the dust of history. 🚗 Practical Information Location: On the slopes of Ziyun Mountain, Ju Village, Setou Town, Changzi County, Changzhi City. Navigate to "Chongqing Temple." Tickets: 25 yuan, free during certain periods. Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00.

Preview My second trip to Shanxi, I chose Jindongnan Weekend trip (2 days) Day 1 Changzhi Guanyin Temple Changzhi Changzi County Chongqing Temple Changzhi Changzi County Faxing Temple Jincheng Gaoping Kaihua Temple Day 2 Jincheng Gaoping Tielu Temple Jincheng Zezhou Yuhuang Temple Jincheng Zezhou Qinglian Temple This trip is the best place to see painted sculptures Transportation: Study tour, bus

Changzi, Shanxi: The 18 Arhats of Chongqing Temple . Chongqing Temple is only 5 km from Faxing Temple. It was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1996 and is a treasure trove of art. . The rear temple of Chongqing Temple was built in 1016 during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song. It faces south and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It consists of two courtyards. The central axis is lined with the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas. The east and west side halls are called the Hall of the Reclining Buddha and the Hall of the Three Bodhisattvas. The northwest corner is the Hall of Ksitigarbha, and the northeast corner is the Fangshi Courtyard. . The temple is famous for the 18 painted clay Arhats in the west side hall, which are considered the best of their kind in the Song Dynasty. . According to the inscription on the brick carvings, the painted clay Arhats were created in 1079, the same year as the Hall of the Three Bodhisattvas. The Arhats are very realistic and lifelike, which makes them more relatable to viewers. The Arhats are of different ages and ethnicities, and each has a unique expression and posture. Some are preaching, some are meditating, some are weathered, and some are innocent and devout. They look so real that they seem to bridge the gap between humans and Buddhas. If you find the right angle, you might even feel like they are looking at you! . In the past, there was a saying in the Chinese painted clay sculpture community: "There are two and a half halls of Arhats in the world." The "two and a half halls" refer to one hall in Lingyan Temple in Jinan, one hall in Zijin Temple in Suzhou, and half a hall in Baosheng Temple in Luzhi. This saying is attributed to Liang Sicheng, and the painter Liu Haisu, who participated in the restoration of Baosheng Temple, also praised it. However, Liang Qichao said this because transportation was inconvenient at the time, and there were not many painted clay sculptures that could be easily seen. There were many painted clay sculptures in Shanxi that had not been "discovered." As Chongqing Temple entered the academic field, the Arhats also gained a high artistic status, comparable to the "two and a half halls." Therefore, another saying emerged: "Liang and Liu did not know Chongqing Temple, so there are three and a half halls of Arhats in the world!"

Chongqing Temple is located in Ju Village, Setou Town, Changzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. According to the inscriptions in the temple, the temple was founded in the ninth year of Dazhong Xiangfu of the Song Dynasty (1016), and then the Ten Emperor Hall was rebuilt in the 27th year of Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, the Heavenly King Hall was rebuilt in the third year of Tianqi, and the Guandi Hall was rebuilt in the third year of Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty. In 1996, it was announced by the State Council as the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The Song Dynasty statues in the Three Dashi Hall on the west side are the most exciting. In the center of the hall are Guanyin, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra, who are on their mounts, and around them are the painted sculptures of the Eighteen Arhats. The Eighteen Arhats statues were from the second year of Yuanfeng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1079), and they are the earliest known Eighteen Arhats statues with a definite year. The craftsmen combined the images of monks in reality and used their imagination to create secular and life-like Arhat images. There are more than 200 Song and Ming painted sculptures in the temple, 18 Ming painted sculptures, etc. These painted sculptures all have high artistic value and provide valuable physical materials for the study of the painted sculpture art of temple and tower buildings in China.

Chongqing Temple is a temple with a long history and important cultural and artistic value. Chongqing Temple is located in Ziyun Mountain, 22 kilometers southeast of Zhangzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. It is built on the mountain and faces the valley, with a beautiful environment. The temple was built in the early years and is now the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The main cultural relics in the temple are rich and diverse. Among them, the Thousand Buddha Hall is a model of small-scale Xieshan-style wooden buildings in the early Northern Song Dynasty. The eighteen Arhat colored sculptures in the Dashi Hall are even more famous as the "crown of Song sculpture". These colored sculptures are slightly the same size as real people, with plump muscles, strong bones, smooth and smooth clothes, and vivid and natural expressions. In the 1990s, thieves stole some of the heads of the Arhat statues. Although they were later recovered and repaired, three of the Dashi statues were still damaged. The three Dashi statues in the hall are now reshaped according to the data. In addition, the Ten Emperor Hall built from the tenth to the twenty-seventh year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1531-1548) is also quite distinctive. There are statues of the gods of the underworld in the hall and the background hanging sculpture "Yin Cao Difu". At the same time, the only existing and larger Ming Dynasty Heavenly King colored sculpture in Changzhi area is also located here. With the popularity of the game "Black Myth: Wukong", the highly restored Chongqing Temple in the game scene has also attracted a lot of attention and attracted tourists from all over the country to visit. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of ancient architecture at close range and appreciate the exquisite Chinese aesthetics and colored sculpture art. The opening hours of Chongqing Temple are from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, the ticket is 25 yuan, and the ticket price for the uphill car is 10 yuan (the price information is for reference only). If you are interested in ancient architecture and colored sculpture art, Chongqing Temple is a good place to visit. During the tour, you can not only appreciate the charm of ancient architecture, but also feel the magic and beauty of nature. It should be noted that the cultural relics in the temple have extremely high historical and artistic value. Please visit the temple in a civilized manner and do not touch or damage the cultural relics. At the same time, respect the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of the temple.

Changzhi, as Su Shi said, "Shangdang has always been the ridge of the world." It is not only the backbone of the natural landscape of the Taihang Mountains, but also a fertile ground for history and humanity. The following is a classic ancient visiting route that I have taken several times. Let’s appreciate the beauty of Shanxi’s ancient architecture together. Since most of the colorful sculptures of ancient buildings are scattered in the mountains and countryside of Shanxi, public transportation is extremely inconvenient. In addition, I have high requirements for flexibility in my itinerary, so I chose Didi to charter a car for this trip. The driver was waiting downstairs on time before departure. Help me place the big and small shooting equipment, and set off after confirming the destination! 📍Starting from Changzhi City, the first stop: Guanyin Hall (Pictures 3, 8, 9 One of the shooting locations of "Black Myth: Wukong", in the small hall, there are more than 500 hanging sculptures, which blend Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. They sit on the altar, stand against the gable wall, and hang between the rafters. They have different shapes. , dizzying. 📍Second stop, Faxing Temple (Pictures 6, 11, 12 The wooden buildings, colored sculptures, inscriptions, and colored glazes are integrated into the ancient building complex. It is known as the "Three Wonders of Faxing Temple". The Tang stone stupa, the burning lighthouse, and the Song Dynasty sculptures of the Twelve Yuanjue statues have long been famous. The graceful, peaceful and wonderful appearance is filled with compassionate and affectionate motherly love, and is praised by the art historian community as "the crown of the Song Dynasty sculpture Bodhisattva". The mountain roads are rugged, and since I don’t have to drive myself, I enjoy admiring the scenery outside the window and browsing the images I just took before arriving at Chongqing Temple. 📍The third stop, Chongqing Temple in Ziyun Mountain (Pictures 2, 4, 7 "The world doesn't know Chongqing Temple, there are two and a half Arhats in the world." Surrounded by mountains on three sides, it towers like a screen. It is also the filming location of "Black Myth: Wukong". The texture and skin of each of the Eighteen Arhats sculpted in the Song Dynasty have remained intact for nearly a thousand years, and they surround the three great warriors with different expressions. The hanging sculptures of the Ten Emperors Hall are also the epitome of Ming Dynasty craftsmanship. The brightly colored pavilions and pavilions are all amazing. 📍The last stop, Wufeng Tower (Pictures 1, 5, 10 It was about 20 kilometers from our last destination to Wufenglou. I chatted with the master on the way. The master drove very steadily along the way. When he got tired from chatting, he would squint for a while. He is a stable middle-aged man, and his car is very clean. He cooperated with my route throughout the whole journey, making the trip to ancient times super smooth. We arrived at Wufeng Tower in time for sunset, during the blues moment with excellent shooting effects. Four-cornered wings fly and five phoenixes spread their wings. There are surprises here that cannot be seen elsewhere: 1️⃣. Mulberry trees are deciduous trees, and the wood is rough and difficult to become useful. However, Wufeng Tower has a 7.13-meter-high mulberry wood ladder, which is more than 500 years old. 2️⃣. Jingmu beams, deciduous shrubs in the mountains, have messy branches and are difficult to form the main trunk. However, the north and south beams on the second floor of Wufeng Tower are two 7.39-meter-long wattle trees. The average age of the trees is more than 400 years old. It is difficult to find a third one even if you search all over the world. I am very happy to explore Changzhi’s historical and cultural monuments with you. The above is a classic guide for visiting ancient times in the Zhuozhang River Valley. I hope it can help you.

🎈Chongqing Temple in Shanxi, a treasure trove preserved by time. 😍 Stepping into the temple gate, the heavy sense of history is overwhelming. Chongqing Temple, which was built in the ninth year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty, still exudes unique charm after years of baptism. The colored sculptures in the temple are known as the "crown of Song Dynasty colored sculptures". They incorporate spiritual connotations in realism, have distinctive personalities, unique decorations, and are full of national characteristics. 😉 The Daxiong Hall, as one of the largest existing Song Dynasty wooden structures in China, is even more magnificent. Standing in front of the hall, it seems to hear the echo of history. 💫 Every brick and tile here, every statue, carries the wisdom and hard work of the ancients. If you love history and culture, Chongqing Temple is definitely not to be missed. Come and feel the charm of Shanxi's national treasure! 💖

🌈Scenic Features: Changzhi Chongqing Temple is located at the foot of Ziyun Mountain in Changzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. It was built in the Northern Song Dynasty in 1016 and has a history of a thousand years~ Chongqing Temple faces south, surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north sides, standing like a screen. The southern part of the temple has undulating mountains and intersecting ravines. Backed by the dragon vein of Ziyun Mountain, with protective mountains on both sides, its geographical location is very exquisite👍🏻 The Song Dynasty colored sculptures in Chongqing Temple have a distinct style and exquisite shapes. The statues are lifelike, from expressions to movements to clothing and decorations, they are very characteristic😍 Specifically, focus on the following three places👇🏻 Qianfo Hall Three Great Bodhisattvas Hall Dizang Hall 🎟️Ticket Information: Adult ticket 25 yuan 🕐️Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, the midday break has been canceled 💗Other Tips: 🚗Transportation: Recommended to drive or take bus No. 11 to Chongqing Temple Station 🅿️There is a parking lot, easy to park ❤️There are also Song Dynasty peonies in the temple, which are said to bloom in May according to the staff

Chongqing Temple in Shanxi is a unique architectural marvel that blends Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. Founded during the Six Dynasties period, the temple remains well-preserved to this day and is considered a gem of Chinese Buddhist architecture. The most awe-inspiring feature is the Mahavira Hall, which combines architectural elements from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, standing majestically like a masterful piece of art. The temple also houses numerous precious stone carvings and painted murals, showcasing the essence of Chinese Buddhist art. Walking through Chongqing Temple feels like traveling through a time tunnel, immersing oneself in China's long-standing religious culture. Universally praised, this Buddhist architectural marvel is undoubtedly a must-visit attraction.

Chongqing Temple, a fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units, is located on the southern slope of Ziyun Mountain, north of Ju Village, Setou Town, 22 kilometers southeast of Changzi County. The temple is built against the mountain and faces the valley, with beautiful surroundings. The exact date of its establishment is unknown. I once saw a statement that the three most artistically representative groups of Chinese colored sculptures are Chongqing Temple, Faxing Temple, and Jinci Temple in Shanxi. This time, I finally had the opportunity to visit Chongqing Temple in Changzhi! However, even if you come for the colored sculptures of Chongqing Temple, you must not miss the Song Dynasty architecture in the temple! Chongqing Temple was built in the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1016 AD), and it was repaired many times during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In 1996, it was announced by the State Council as the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The Song Dynasty sculptures in Chongqing Temple are relatively well-preserved, and the most splendid ones are in the Hall of the Three Great Beings, also known as the Arhat Hall~ The colored sculptures of the Eighteen Arhats here are truly wonderful! The size and proportion of the Eighteen Arhats are similar to real people. Besides the smooth and flowing folds of their clothes, the most important aspect is the natural and vivid depiction of the Arhats' expressions. Many times, you can see a trace of familiarity on the faces of the Arhats, perhaps resembling someone you have seen in your life, a certain moment, or a certain expression. As an important representative of Song Dynasty sculptures, the Arhat statues here can fully let you feel how the sculptors used facial depictions and character actions to echo each other, thereby more profoundly expressing the characters' psychology. Ancient architecture expert Chai Zejun once said that the Song Dynasty Arhat statues in Chongqing Temple are not only precisely dated but also superbly crafted. They inherit the robust and vigorous style of Tang Dynasty Arhats and greatly develop the realistic style, making them a masterpiece of their time, extremely precious. Another hall, the Dizang Hall, is also not to be missed! As the name suggests, Dizang Hall showcases another world of the underworld. It was built in the Ming Dynasty, and the glazed tiles on the roof and the doors and windows are all relics from the Ming Dynasty. Inside the hall, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is enshrined, flanked by the Ten Kings of Hell, with six judges sculpted on the side walls. The surprising part here is that above each colored sculpture, the craftsmen used a combination of comic strip and stage layout techniques to create pavilions, towers, and various character stories of the underworld with suspended sculptures. Therefore, when you come to Chongqing Temple, you can not only see the heavens but also the earth! Moreover, you can see all beings in the Song Dynasty Arhat statues! Chongqing Temple

[Jinshan Jimei·Changzhi·Ziyun Mountainside Gathering of Immortals] After watching Bodhisattva and Arhat, Southeast Jinxi is so awesome. Chongqing Temple, located on the mountainside of Ziyun Mountain, is small and even a little cramped. It feels a bit like a courtyard with several small halls scattered among it. It may seem unprepossessing, but inside it is a collection of masterpieces of colorful sculptures from different periods including the Song and Ming dynasties. Among them, the most famous one is the colorful statue of the Eighteen Arhats in the Dashi Hall. This is a statue with a clear date. It was built in the early Northern Song Dynasty, nearly a thousand years ago. Compared with the calm and beautiful Bodhisattva of Beoxing Temple that I just visited, the image of Arhat is more three-dimensional and diverse. They are fat or thin, sitting or standing, with rich gestures and expressions. Ancient craftsmen were always able to perfectly express their inner thoughts through sculptures, which were actually expressions of their own outlook on life and values ​​in the world. I met another study tour group, listened to it, and benefited a lot. In addition, the Ming Dynasty colored sculptures and hanging sculptures in the Ten Emperors Hall next to it are not to be missed, they are quite exciting. Chongqing Temple YYDS! 📝Note tips: The current entrance fee to Chongqing Temple is 25 yuan, you can drive up directly

Regret! Behind the death penalty, the difficult cultural preservation case of the theft of colored sculptures from Chongqing Temple in Changzi County, Changzhi City, China in the last century. In December 1991, Liu gathered Zhao and others to steal 12 heads of colored sculptures from the key cultural relic protection unit of Changzi Chongqing Temple twice, damaging 3 statues. After the case was solved, the main culprit Liu was sentenced to death, and all the stolen cultural relics were recovered and restored. The damaged ones were the three Bodhisattvas in the hall with the Eighteen Arhats, national-protected Song Dynasty sculptures, shattered into pieces on the ground. In the rapid development now, phenomena such as damaging historical relics, changing the environment, and destructively developing ancient sites still exist. Perhaps the restoration was too good, the heads had no saw marks, and the mounts of the three Bodhisattvas were still the original ones: the green lion, the white elephant, and the golden-haired roar. Their bodies still contained original fragments from the Northern Song Dynasty, respecting the original appearance, restoring the old as the old. But this article still hopes to let more people know about this past event, to serve as a warning, and to create a good environment for cultural relic protection. Chongqing, Changzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, southeast of the village, halfway up Ziyun Mountain, surrounded by pines and cypresses, there is a very peculiar forest of white pines, many of which are over a hundred years old. I went twice in the same summer two years apart. In the afternoon, entering from the small gate on the right side of the mountain gate, the garden scenery was magnificent. Three little dogs each occupied a piece of shade for a nap. The remaining time was solely yours. It is difficult to describe that atmosphere and feeling. The moment you step in, your eyes will briefly adapt to the bright sky outside. I felt that light had a tangible medium at that moment. In the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu period of the Song Dynasty, a thousand years have passed, but the time here remains tranquil. When traveling to Shanxi, you should not only know about Wutai, Datong, and Yuncheng but also remember Changzhi. This is a crucial point in the Taihang Mountain area and the plains, controlling the north-south traffic, the Zhuozhang River Valley. The soil foundation here makes Shanxi's heritage even deeper.

|The colorful sculptures here witness the universe and all beings!. There is a saying that there are three groups of the most artistically representative colored sculptures in China: they are Chongqing Temple, Faxing Temple, and Jinci in Shanxi We have talked about the Twelve Yuanjue Bodhisattva statues of Faxing Temple, and last year we also appreciated the maid sculptures of Jinci during our visit to northern Shanxi. This year, we finally had the opportunity to come to Chongqing Temple in Changzhi! Even if you come for the colored sculptures of Chongqing Temple, don't miss the Song Dynasty architecture in the temple! Chongqing Temple was founded in the ninth year of Dazhong Xiangfu of the Northern Song Dynasty (1016 AD) It was renovated many times during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1996, it became the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Originally, there were thousands of suspended Buddha statues on all four walls in the Buddha Hall, but now only more than 160 statues remain on the west wall~ still exquisite. This hall still retains the original Song Dynasty structure, with a width of three bays and a depth of three bays, a single-eaved Xieshan roof, and a square floor plan. What's interesting in this hall is that, behind the backlights of the two attendant Bodhisattvas on the altar, there is a standing statue of Pure Bottle Guanyin each, this type of statue is very rare, and it is said that there is only this one example in Shanxi! The Song Dynasty sculptures preserved in Chongqing Temple are relatively complete and quite splendid, especially the Three Great Sages Hall! Also known as the Arhat Hall~ The eighteen Arhat sculptures here are really wonderful The size ratio of the eighteen Arhats is similar to that of real people, not only are the folds of their clothes smooth and flowing, but more importantly, the expressions of the Arhats are very naturally and vividly depicted, Often, you can see a familiar shadow on the face of an Arhat Perhaps it resembles someone you've seen in life, a moment, or an expression. As an important representative of Song sculptures, the Arhat statues here can fully let you feel how the sculptor uses facial depictions and the actions of the characters to echo each other, thereby more profoundly expressing the characters' psychology. Ancient architecture expert Chai Zejun once said, the Arhat statues of Chongqing Temple not only have a precise date but also superb sculpting skills, they inherit the robust and vigorous charm of the Tang Dynasty Arhats, and greatly develop the realistic style to form a generation of fine works, which is very precious. In the Arhats, you feel the figures of all beings. Q Another hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, should not be missed either! The Ksitigarbha Hall, as the name suggests, displays another world of the netherworld. The Ksitigarbha Hall was built during the Ming Dynasty, and the glazed tiles on the roof and the doors and windows are relics of the Ming Dynasty. The hall enshrines Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, with the Ten Kings of Hell on the left and right, and the six judges are sculpted on the side walls. The surprising part here is that, above each colored sculpture, the craftsmen use a series of painting and stage layout techniques, to create the pavilions, towers, and character stories in the netherworld with suspended sculptures. Therefore, coming to Chongqing Temple you can not only see heaven but also see earth! And on the bodies of the Song Dynasty Arhat statues, you can see all beings! Wonderful! Wonderful!