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

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!"

🎉 Changzi Chongqing Temple Travel Guide 🎉 📍 Location: Chongqing Temple is located at the foot of Ziyun Mountain, 22.5 km southeast of Changzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. 📅 Opening hours: Summer 7:30 am–7:00 pm, winter 7:30 am–6:00 pm. 🎫 Ticket price: Adult ticket CNY 50/person, half price for students. 🚌 Transportation guide: There is no direct bus from Changzhi City to Chongqing Temple, but you can take bus No. 11 to "Cilinshan Coal Mine", walk 1 km to Faxing Temple, and then take the direct tourist bus from Changzi County to Jucun at the foot of Chongqing Temple, and finally walk 500 m to the visitor center. There is a direct tourist bus from Changzi County Bus Station to Chongqing Temple, passing by Faxing Temple, with departure times at 8:15 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, 1:15 pm, 3:15 pm, and 5:15 pm. 🚶 Tour route: 1. Dashi Hall: This is the core area of Chongqing Temple, where Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva are enshrined, and the statues are lifelike. 2. Qianfo Hall: The main hall is a relic of the Song Dynasty, with an ancient and elegant architectural style. 3. Ten Halls of Yama Clay Sculpture Area: The figures here are vivid, as if you are in a real world. 4. Other historical sites: You can also explore other sites such as the stone stele forest. 🍽️ Food recommendation: There are many restaurants and snack bars near Chongqing Temple, where you can taste local specialties such as Changzi fried cake and stewed meat cake. 💡 Tips: Try to go early to avoid the peak crowd and enjoy the tranquility of the temple. Pay attention to sun protection and rain protection, and bring an umbrella and water bottle. Respect cultural relics, keep the environment clean, and travel in a civilized manner. 🌟 Highlights: The Song Dynasty clay sculptures of Chongqing Temple are known as the "Crown of Song Sculptures", especially the eighteen Arhat statues in the Three Dashi Hall, which show the exquisite skills of Song Dynasty sculpture art. 🎉 Have a great trip to Changzi Chongqing Temple! 🎉

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.

🎈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!