Da Tong Shanhua Temple

Shanhua Temple, located in Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, has extremely high historical cultural relics and Buddhist artistic value. As early as 1961, it was the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units announced by the State Council. The temple adopts the commonly used traditional temples to sit from the north to the south. The colored glaze wall, the mountain gate, the Sansheng Hall, and the Daxiong Hall are gradually spread out on the central axis, and layered on top of each other. The entire building is scattered in height, with distinct primary and secondary, and symmetrical left and right. It is the largest and most complete existing building in the Liao and Jin period in China.

There is a wall of five dragons standing outside the gate of Shanhua Temple. It can be said that this is the representative of Shanhua Temple of Datong. The Five Dragon Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty. It has exquisite shapes and fine carvings. It is inlaid with colored glaze. It is very spectacular. The five dragons are colorful and add a lively and cheerful atmosphere to the temple. The construction of this colored glaze wall spanned a total of 57 years, and it took a lot of effort from the artisans. At first, the colored glaze five dragon wall representing Shanhua Temple in Datong was in front of Xingguo Temple in Datong. Later, it was revised again in 1980. Decided to demolish it to the front of Shanhua Temple.

Opposite the Wulong wall is the gate of Shanhua Temple. Continue to walk in, and you will reach the central hall of Shanhua Temple-Sansheng Hall. The Three Saints Hall stands on a platform more than one meter high. It enters into the hall. It has five rooms wide and four rooms deep. The structure is unique and unique in the characteristics of Song and Liao architecture.

The statues of Shanhua Temple reflect the communication and integration between the northern peoples and the Central Plains during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. These statues have the characteristics of mellow, plump, graceful and luxurious statues in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and they do not lose the bold and majestic atmosphere of the nomads. They are extremely important. The historical value and artistic value can be called the treasure of Liao and Jin. As far as its architecture is concerned, it is majestic and quaint and strong, which not only reflects the boldness of the northern peoples, but also shows the solemn and calmness of Buddhist architecture. This ancient temple that embodies the cultural exchange and integration of nomads and the Central Plains is still present. Shining in the long river of history.