Zhenguo Temple
镇国寺
The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, built in 963 during the Northern Han dynasty of the Five Dynasties, is one of China's oldest surviving wooden structures. Its eleven colored sculptures from the Five Dynasties are unique in China.
Zhenguo Temple lies in Haodong Village, 12 kilometers northeast of the Pingyao old town. Originally called Jingcheng Temple, it was built in 963, the seventh year of the Tianhui reign of the Northern Han dynasty during the Five Dynasties period. It was renamed in the Ming dynasty and was included in the Pingyao Ancient City World Heritage listing in 1997. Its centerpiece is the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the front courtyard. The hall is three bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eaved hip-and-gable roof. Its brackets are large and its eaves project deeply. The roof frame still follows Tang dynasty style, making it one of the earliest wooden structures in China after the Tang dynasty. It is about a century later than the Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple on Mount Wutai, but it is better preserved. Inside, the altar holds eleven colored sculptures of Shakyamuni, his disciples, bodhisattvas and heavenly kings. All are original Five Dynasties works, with full faces and flowing drapery. They are the only group of Five Dynasties temple sculptures in China and extremely precious. The Three Buddhas Tower in the rear courtyard is a Ming dynasty building, and its murals depicting the life of Shakyamuni are also worth examining closely. The ancient locust trees, ancient stele and peaceful village setting make Zhenguo Temple one of the most underrated sights in Pingyao, according to many architecture enthusiasts. A visit takes about 45 minutes. Admission is about 25 yuan (not included in the old town pass). Getting there: No direct bus. A taxi from the old town takes about 25 minutes, and it is usually combined with Shuanglin Temple in a half-day chartered trip. Tips: Photography and flash are prohibited inside the hall. The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas sculptures are protected by railings, and binoculars help reveal facial details. There are few dining options nearby, so return to the old town for a meal.
Opening hours
08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Qu Family Compound
- Pingyao Film Palace
- Qingxu Taoist Temple
- Pingyao City God Temple
- North China No.1 Escort Agency Museum
- Pingyao City Wall
- Pingyao Confucian Temple
- Xietongqing Exchange House