Shanhua Temple

善化寺

Founded in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt in the Liao and Jin, this is one of the three great Liao-Jin temples. The Main Hall, Hall of Three Sages and Puxian Pavilion are well preserved, and the Jin-dynasty painted sculptures of the Twenty-Four Heavenly Guardians are national treasures.

Shanhua Temple lies inside the southern gate of Datong's old city, on the western side. It was first built in the Kaiyuan era of the Tang dynasty, when it was called Kaiyuan Temple. It was destroyed by war at the end of the Liao dynasty and rebuilt between 1123 and 1149 during the Jin dynasty. It is the most complete surviving Liao-Jin temple layout in China. Along the central axis, the Mountain Gate, Hall of Three Sages and Main Hall rise one after another, and the Manjusri Pavilion and Puxian Pavilion stand on either side. The Mountain Gate is an original Jin structure and the largest Jin-dynasty mountain gate in China. The Hall of Three Sages features cantilevered bracket sets (xiejia dougong) stacked in tiers, a hallmark of Liao and Jin architecture. The Main Hall is an original Liao structure. Inside, the painted sculptures of the Five Buddhas of the Five Directions and the Twenty-Four Heavenly Guardians on the side walls are Jin works. Figures such as Hariti and the Sun Palace Deity are vivid and represent the high point of Jin sculpture. The Five-Dragon Wall in front of the temple was originally from Xingguo Temple and was moved here in the 1980s. The dragon scales and claws are still clearly visible. The grounds are quiet and shaded by old trees, with few visitors, making this the best place to learn about Liao and Jin timber architecture. Allow about an hour. It is best to visit after Huayan Temple so you can compare the two Liao-Jin styles. Admission is about 50 yuan, with combined tickets available for Huayan Temple and the Nine-Dragon Wall. Getting there: walk within the old city, or take a bus to Yongtai Gate stop. Note: photography is not allowed inside the halls. Guided explanations can be booked at the entrance. The bracket sets and sculpture details are hard to understand without a guide.

Shanhua Temple

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