Live Your Best Lives
If I say that there is a man who risked his life in troubled times in order to decipher a "holy book", traveled to hundreds of cities and counties in five years, and pursued the truth among the woods full of bedbugs and bats, do you think he is a genius or a madman?
This person is Liang Sicheng. And there are more than one people as persistent as him.
In the 1930s, the invaders not only used swords and guns to torture the Chinese people physically, but also tried to break their spirit. Some Japanese scholars even declared that Tang Dynasty wooden structures are no longer found in China and can only be seen in Japan.
A more cruel fact than this statement is that the Chinese people had not made any achievements in the field of architectural research at that time. If they continued to neglect it, it would soon fall into the hands of European, American and Japanese scholars.
what to do?
Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin responded with action. Their in-depth field research ultimately led them to locate the Tang Dynasty wooden structure, Foguang Temple, in Shanxi, effectively suppressing the Japanese scholars' arrogance. Their in-depth research and mapping of ancient structures such as the Yungang Grottoes, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and the Zhaozhou Bridge had a profound impact on Chinese architecture.
Nearly a hundred years have flown by, and today, across China, more ancient buildings have vanished. In their place are a multitude of crudely constructed imitations of ancient architecture, and the increasingly homogenized and aesthetically pleasing ancient towns and streets. Of course, not everyone buys into this trend. For example, Zhangjiajie Dayong Ancient Town, which cost 2.4 billion yuan to build, sells fewer than 20 tickets per day and is on the verge of bankruptcy.
So, what should we do after saying goodbye to the crude ancient buildings?
Why not join us and retrace the steps of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin? I promise you'll see far more than just one or two ancient buildings, but a whole series of magnificent eras.
To explain Lianglin Road, we must start with the "heavenly book" mentioned at the beginning of this article. This book, called "Yingzaofashi", was written in the Song Dynasty and is one of the few ancient architectural books in my country.
The history of Chinese architecture is indeed very ancient. The "Book of Changes" records that "in ancient times, people lived in caves and wild places. Later, sages replaced this with palaces, with roofs above and eaves below to protect them from wind and rain." During the Tang Dynasty, Du Mu lamented, "The mountains of Shu are steep, and the Afang Palace stands out." You can see traces of ancient architecture in historical texts, poetry, and even paintings and sculptures. However, the most they leave behind are only fleeting glimpses. Throughout China's 5,000 years of history, few books truly detail the practices of ancient architecture.
Fundamentally, among the four social classes of scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans in ancient my country, artisans held a low status, and architectural construction was not the exclusive domain of the literati. Architects accustomed to teaching their apprentices step-by-step, but rarely prioritized documenting architectural techniques. As veteran artisans passed away and dynasties shifted, many architectural methods became enigmas.
Even Liang Sicheng, a man of profound knowledge and profound understanding, was completely baffled by the obscure architectural terminology in the book "Yingzaofashi" (Building Methods) sent by his father Liang Qichao. At the time, he was studying in the United States with Lin Huiyin, pursuing a degree in architecture.
In order to understand this book, and also to expand the field of Chinese architectural research and revive the national spirit in our country's architecture, Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin first taught at Northeastern University after returning to China, and then joined the Construction Society founded by Zhu Qiuqun in 1931 to study ancient architecture.
By repeatedly consulting with veteran craftsmen at the Forbidden City and comparing ancient buildings in the Forbidden City and surrounding Beijing, Liang Sicheng gained a basic understanding of Qing Dynasty architectural components and terminology. It was also during this process that he discovered the significant differences between Qing Dynasty architecture and pre-Song Dynasty architecture. To truly decipher the Song Dynasty's "Yingzaofashi," he needed to explore and find even older buildings.
But taking that first step was no easy task. With war raging across China at the time, there was no infrastructure for a cultural relic survey, let alone the massive data capabilities of today's Skynet. Liang Lin and their colleagues at the Architectural Society eagerly pored over local chronicles, ancient texts, and archaeological materials, but they struggled to find a breakthrough.
By chance, Liang Sicheng ran into Yang Tingbao, a senior schoolmate from his time studying in the United States. While reminiscing about the past, Yang Tingbao mentioned a photo he had seen at an exhibition at the Drum Tower of a temple with enormous brackets, inscribed with "Jixian Dule Temple." Liang Sicheng was overjoyed and rushed to the Drum Tower to investigate. Upon seeing the photo, he had a strong intuition: This must be a pre-Song Dynasty building!
The public security in Ji County, Tianjin at that time was not optimistic, with bandits rampant and Kenji Doihara creating chaos and riots in Tianjin. However, Liang Sicheng still resolutely decided to go to the local area for investigation. In April 1932, he and his brother Liang Sida, Liu Dunzhen and Shao Ligong from the Architectural Society, set off with some borrowed surveying tools.
The trip was fruitful. By surveying Dule Temple and visiting local gentry, Liang Sicheng gained a deep understanding of the temple's history. After returning to Beijing, with the assistance of Lin Huiyin, he authored "A Study of the Mountain Gate of Guanyin Pavilion at Dule Temple in Ji County," which determined that Dule Temple was rebuilt in the second year of the Tonghe reign of Emperor Shengzong of Liao. The temple inherited Tang Dynasty traditions while also displaying architectural techniques from the Song Dynasty.
Once this article was published, it shocked the academic community and also inspired the Construction Society to continue moving forward and extend its exploration path to the vast land of China.
From 1932 to 1937, before the July 7 Incident, the Architectural Society visited 137 counties and cities in Shanxi, Hebei, Henan and other provinces, investigated 1,823 ancient buildings, and drew as many as 1,898 survey drawings.
Lin Huiyin's route map for writing letters to her daughter
We are accustomed to referring to this cultural journey of nearly a hundred years ago as the "Liang-Lin Road", but in fact, this road was not just the lonely courage of Liang and Lin, but the heroic journey of a group of people in the Academy.
Liang Zaibing, the daughter of Liang Sicheng and his wife, later recalled, "At the time, this group of people shared a common belief: a nation facing a critical juncture of survival must preserve its culture. Without history, the nation would perish."
With such a belief, Liang Lin, who came from a prominent family, was not arrogant. Every time he went to investigate and survey ancient buildings, he always tried his best to do his best.
When investigating the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, in order to accurately survey the entire pagoda, Liang Sicheng grabbed the iron chain of the pagoda's top and climbed to the top with his feet dangling in the air. He measured and photographed at an altitude of more than 60 meters. When he was about to finish, there was a sudden lightning and thunder, and he almost lost his life. Lin Huiyin suffered from lung disease and should have rested, but she climbed up and down in the ancient building covered with dust and infested with insects and snakes, carefully measuring and looking for clues between the beams to determine the dynasty.
Lin Huiyin measured the colored sculptures of Foguang Temple
"Scholars have nothing else to offer their country but the pen in their hands." In this rescue academic expedition, Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin and their colleagues from the Architectural Society raced against time to "change the sky" for my country's architectural field.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937, the Institute was forced to relocate south, eventually settling in Lizhuang, Yibin, Sichuan. Many members left to pursue their own livelihoods. In September 1939, the Institute organized its final field trip to study cultural relics and historical sites in the Sichuan-Kang region.
However, years of war left the Institute struggling to make ends meet, and with funds increasingly scarce, it could no longer afford to organize surveys. By 1946, the Institute gradually disappeared into history, a profound regret for the Chinese architectural community.
So what is Liang Lin’s regret?
Due to limited transportation, they failed to reach southeastern Shanxi during their four visits, and thus missed Changzhi, home to over 3,500 ancient buildings. They did find the Tang Dynasty wooden Foguang Temple, but were stopped by the sudden outbreak of war, missing the even more ancient Tang Dynasty wooden Nanchan Temple, more than 40 kilometers away. They were heartbroken by the casual demolition of ancient city walls and destruction of ancient buildings, but they could do nothing to stop it.
Lin Huiyin took a photo with the Iron Buddha of Lingyan Temple in Xiaoxiang Village
Now this iron Buddha has turned into molten iron
Despite this, they never regretted their arduous journey of cultural exploration. In the 1950s, Liang Sicheng, unable to continue his research, compiled previous research materials and pored over extensive literature and classics to produce his groundbreaking work, "A History of Chinese Architecture." Lin Huiyin, ill and given only five years to live, painstakingly penned "A Reference for Modern Residential Design," designing housing for ordinary residents undergoing postwar reconstruction.
In their eyes, architecture is both past and future; national and global. Standing at the intersection of history and modernity, they painstakingly strive to leave us with valuable experience, much like the words of Zhu Qiqin, founder of the Architectural Society, at its founding: "Every effort leads to a deeper discovery. The focus is on the effort, not the harvest."
The people are far away, but the ancient buildings are so close. With the official opening of the Ji-Da-Yuan High-Speed Railway's Shuozhou East Station, the journey from Taiyuan to Shuozhou takes only 58 minutes, making it more convenient for people to admire the splendor of ancient buildings such as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and Chongfu Temple.
This is the best of times. It's time to walk this Lianglin Road again.
As Le Corbusier, one of the most influential 20th-century aestheticians, said:
"China's ancient buildings are the most heartwarming cultural relics in the world. They carry not only history and aesthetics, but also the emotions, wisdom, and beliefs of countless people."
On Lianglin Road, you'll encounter the footprints of those who came before you, exploring the houses they once lived in, the long bridges they crossed, and the faiths they worshipped. On a rainy day, you can stop under the ancient eaves, follow the giant brackets, and take another look at this world and think about the past.
Back then, the buildings weren't lined with tall buildings, but rather verdant gates and embroidered windows, embroidered with jade tiles and soaring eaves. From the high steps, even the young emperor once gazed at the sky. The nation prospered like a roc flapping its wings, with courtesans from all corners of the country flocking to pay tribute, and peace and prosperity reigned. Without a word, the craftsmen incorporated this grand and prosperous atmosphere into the broad eaves that stretched like bird wings, creating towering pavilions that commanded a majestic view of the mountains and rivers.
The glory of dynasties throughout history has always been washed away by wind and rain, and it is a miracle in itself that we can ascend to the throne again.
Along this road, you'll not only see rare ancient buildings and cultural relics, but also feel a heartbeat. It's the thread of Chinese civilization, at times weak and sometimes strong, yet always unbroken, for thousands of years. It has enabled even rulers in remote corners to aspire to the world, and has inspired countless Chinese people throughout history to forge ahead courageously.
Now it is spring and we set foot on Lianglin Road again. The bitter wind and rain of the past are gone, but the ancient buildings and civilization are still shining.
In order to live up to this beautiful scenery and refuse to rush through the sights, we want everyone to have a deep understanding of the history and construction techniques of each architectural monument, so we have specially hired gold medal research lecturers to accompany everyone to retrace Lianglin Road. They are all cultural and historical experts!
There are experts specially appointed by tourism associations of many provinces and cities, teachers with more than ten years of experience in ancient Shanxi architecture, colored sculptures and murals, and guest lecturers from many universities who have systematically studied Shanxi humanities and history. The whole process is full of high-energy output and practical information. You can look forward to which teacher you will meet~
Although there are many ancient buildings on Lianglin Road, many of them are located in remote countryside. If you go there alone, transportation, safety, and itinerary arrangements will all be difficult.
We provide shuttle service throughout the trip, ensuring a worry-free trip! Our dual-leader system ensures you'll learn a lot while having a blast. We've also selected high-quality local hotels for you to stay in, ensuring you fully immerse yourself in this in-depth cultural experience.
Scan the QR code to join the group now
You can also receive no-threshold coupons!
Registration for the "Retracing Lianglin Road" series of products is available
Acknowledging Liang and Lin's regrets, our product managers carefully selected the provinces and cities they had previously researched. They also explored ancient architectural gems that Liang and Lin missed, such as southeastern Shanxi. This upgrade further enhances the "Retracing the Liang-Lin Road" series! Eight new product lines have been designed, each focusing on a different area, to help everyone gain a more comprehensive understanding of ancient Chinese architecture.
The picture shows the key inspection locations on Lianglin Road
Datong/Shuozhou: A pilgrimage to national treasures and wonders
In 1937, Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovered a Tang Dynasty wooden structure with huge brackets and deep eaves in Foguang Mountain on the western foot of the South Peak of Mount Wutai. This is the East Hall of Foguang Temple, the earliest wooden structure found in my country at that time.
In 1953, archaeologists from Shanxi discovered Nanchan Temple in Lijiazhuang Village, more than 40 kilometers away from Foguang Temple. It was rebuilt in 782, the third year of Jianzhong in the Tang Dynasty, 75 years earlier than Foguang Temple. This is the earliest existing wooden structure in my country.
Unfortunately, even today, we have not found any above-ground wooden structures from before the Tang Dynasty.
This trip will follow Liang Lin's footsteps, visiting Datong and Shuozhou, embarking on a pilgrimage to discover national treasures and discovering the early architecture of my country in stone. We'll visit Cave 9 of the Yungang Grottoes, excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Here, we'll see ornate stone-carved door lintels in the shape of houses, and exquisitely carved "one dou three sheng" and "ren gable" (two different types of brackets) that mimic the wooden structures of the time. While we won't be able to see the wooden architecture of the Northern Wei Dynasty, we can glimpse a miniature version of the period's architecture.
In addition, we will visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and the Hanging Temple to see the pinnacle wonders of ancient architecture; explore the rare "Five Wonders of the Jin Dynasty" in Chongfu Temple: glazed ridge ornaments, plaques, window lattice carvings, colored sculptures, and murals, and clarify the context of the development and evolution of architecture in the past dynasties through the teacher's explanation.
Chongfu Temple
Hanging Temple
Yuncheng/Hancheng: A Cultural Corridor Across the Yellow River
The 725-kilometer-long Jin-Shaan Grand Canyon separates Shanxi and Shaanxi. The Yellow River roars through the canyon, rushing mightily to the Yellow River's Dragon Gate before bursting out of the canyon. Yuncheng and Hancheng are the two cities that control the Yellow River's Dragon Gate.
We will take you to the Longmen Ancient Ferry to witness the magnificent sight of the roaring Yellow River. It is this rich and powerful soil and water that can nurture this brilliant civilization.
Yuncheng and Hancheng have a long and rich history. 2.4 million years ago, the Xihoudu people ignited the "first flame of human civilization" here; 3,000 years ago, the abdication of Emperors Yao and Shun took place here; 2,000 years ago, the hegemony of the Jin State began here; and 800 years ago, the Yuan Dynasty left its most profound mark here...
Yellow River Ladder Cliff
History isn't just about kings, generals, and the passing of dynasties; ordinary people are the most important writers of history. The ancient buildings and murals of Yuncheng and Hancheng have been preserved for millennia thanks to their deep connection to the daily lives of local residents.
Rooted in rich folk culture, Yuncheng boasts 102 nationally protected sites, the most of any city in China. Hancheng boasts 17 nationally protected sites and 32 Yuan Dynasty wooden structures, making it a veritable "Yuan Dynasty Architecture Museum." These ancient structures, millennia old, are still used by local residents.
We will start from Yuncheng's "one building, one tower and two temples" to learn about Yuncheng's rich sacrificial culture; at the round tower of the Tang Dynasty, Fanzhou Zen Master Tower, which is 1232 years old, we will learn about the ancient tower structure in my country; at the Salt Lake Temple and Jiezhou Guandi Temple, we will understand the Yuncheng people's faith in natural gods and historical figures; at Feiyun Tower, which is as famous as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, we will watch a beautiful sunset under the eaves like a local.
Xiezhou Guandi Temple
Yuncheng Salt Lake
We journeyed along the banks of the Yellow River, experiencing a visual feast of Song and Yuan Dynasty architectural art. We visited the Wanrong Jiwang Temple, boasting the only example of a Song Dynasty hip roof that Liang Sicheng sought three times but could not find; we visited Puzhao Temple, home to over 20 Yuan Dynasty buildings; and Dayu Temple, a Yuan Dynasty building with stunning colored sculptures and murals; and we admired the Yuan Dynasty murals of the Yongle Palace, experiencing the flowing beauty of "Wu Dai Dang Feng."
Puzhao Temple
Yongle Palace murals
In addition to ancient architectural art, we will also take you to explore more traces of our predecessors: stroll through the ancient sites in a small town in Shaanxi, go to the Sima Qian Temple, and walk along the Sima Ancient Road with a history of thousands of years; in the Autumn Wind Tower of the Houtu Temple, which houses Emperor Wu of Han's "Autumn Wind Ode", overlook the Yellow River mudflats and experience the passion and emotion of this great emperor.
Yellow River mudflats
Jincheng/Jiyuan: Exquisite woodwork from north to south of Taihang Mountains
To the north and south of Taihang Mountain, there is Zezhou and Jishui River. Zezhou is now Jincheng, but Jishui River has disappeared for 1,000 years. Only the small city of Jiyuan remembers its past and glory with its name.
Note: In ancient times, the Ji River was a river as famous as the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Huai River. It was one of the "Four Rivers". Countless emperors offered sacrifices and prayed for blessings at the Four Rivers and Five Mountains.
Liu Dunzhen and others from the Architectural Society came to Jiyuan in 1936. They paid special attention to the Jidu Temple, took many photos, and made detailed notes.
Countless ancient murals in Jincheng were preserved because of the deep and dangerous roads in the Taihang Valley. It was for this reason that Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin missed this small city. Those precious murals, colored sculptures and ancient buildings were not known to the world until after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Jincheng Qinglian Temple
This time we will extend Lianglin Road, go deep into Taihang Mountains, explore the ancient Jishui River, walk through the north and south of Taihang Mountains, and uncover the hidden beauty here.
The Jidu Temple in Jiyuan houses the earliest existing ancient wooden structure in Henan Province, with a total of more than 30 ancient buildings from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, which are magnificent. Here you can see the ancient people's reverence for the water god; the Fengxian Temple has a Jin Dynasty hanging mountain top hall, which uses a reduced column structure to make the space more open. What's even more amazing is that the wood used was peeled and used without any modification, which shows the boldness of the ethnic minorities at that time. Liang Sicheng also called it "bold technique and unique thinking"; the only remaining mural of the Heavenly King from the Yuan Dynasty in the Cisheng Temple is majestic and flying, making people linger.
The "Liu Tu Zhang" of the Twenty-Eight Constellations at the Jade Emperor Temple in Jincheng
In Jincheng, you'll find the Jade Emperor Temple, the popular filming location for "Black Myth: Wukong," as well as countless other exquisite historical buildings waiting to be discovered. Nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains, the ancient Dai Temple boasts 6,200-year-old ginkgo trees still lush and green. Along the village road, the intricate carvings of the Zhijiao Three Churches exemplify the concept of carved beams and painted buildings. Climbing the tower of the Haihui Temple, nestled on the banks of the Qinshui River, offers a close-up look at the dazzling 400-year-old colored glaze.
Zhijiao Three Churches
Come to the Erxian Temple in Xiaonan Village to visit the two goddesses who guard Shangdang and their magnificent "Palace in Heaven"; go to the Qinglian Temple that withstood the disaster of floods to admire 54 exquisite Tang and Song Dynasty colored sculptures.
Xiaonan Village Erxian Temple
Qinglian Temple Painted Sculptures
Changzhi/Gaoping/Lingchuan: A place called paradise
The Taihang Mountains rise majestically from the North China Plain, forming a vast mountain range reaching over a thousand meters high and stretching over 800 miles. The Shangdang region lies atop these peaks. Here, you're close to the heavens, reaching for the stars; you can converse with the gods, and your dreams come true, all you need is a tower reaching to the heavens, a shrine filled with deities and Buddhas.
Shangdang, considered a paradise by the ancients and the cradle of ancient Chinese architecture, boasts the sayings "the land is so high that it is in harmony with the sky" and "Shangdang has always been the backbone of the world." Changzhi boasts 73 nationally protected sites, Gaoping boasts 22, and Lingchuan boasts 17, representing one-fifth of Shanxi's nationally protected sites.
The most beautiful Song Dynasty statue of Guanyin in Faxing Temple, Changzhi
Hanging Sculptures of Guanyin Hall in Changzhi
Here are the most beautiful pavilions in China: the five-story pavilion of Wufeng Tower has deep eaves; the mountain gate pavilion of Chong'an Temple is magnificent; the dressing towers of Xixi Erxian Temple and Jiutian Shengmu Temple are smart and beautiful.
If you want to see the most beautiful relics of the Song Dynasty in one place, sign up for this route.
Visit Beijixiang Temple, Nanjixiang Temple, Cui Fujun Temple, and Chongming Temple, where you can see all the wooden structures from the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty. Kaihua Temple currently houses the only remaining Northern Song Dynasty murals in my country. Then come to Chongqing Temple to see the most beautiful arhats and bodhisattvas sculptures from the Song Dynasty in the hall.
Chongqing Temple in Changzhi
Xiangtang Mountain/Anyang/Zhuozhang River Valley: A Swan Song of Art in Troubled Times
Art always originates from darkness, and from there, light emerges. In Chinese history, there were two dark periods when people were no longer human and things were no longer things: the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
In a valley in the Taihang Mountains, eight nationally protected temples are nestled. Three of my country's only five remaining wooden structures from the Five Dynasties period are located within the valley, which also boasts the country's only surviving murals from the period. For millennia, the artistic masterpieces of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period have lain dormant in the Zhuozhang River Valley.
The Five Dynasties architecture of Dayunyuan in the Zhuozhang River Valley and the "Flying Apsaras" in the murals
Walking through the Taihang River Valley, we will enter a cave corridor, which was first excavated during the Northern Qi Dynasty of the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The pinnacle of this cave corridor is the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, which is known as the "fifth largest grotto in China."
Beixiangtangshan Grottoes
In the troubled times, with storms and winds blowing, art played hymns. The Xiangtangshan Grottoes were gorgeous and romantic, and the gods and Buddhas were serene. In this peaceful and prosperous Buddhist wonderland, it seemed as if the darkness at that time did not exist.
South Xiangtangshan Grottoes
In addition to Xiangtang Mountain, we will also go to the Jindeng Temple Grottoes to see the "last sound of Chinese grotto art" in the Taihang Mountains, to the Lingquan Temple Grottoes to see the pagoda niches and Buddhist caves all over the mountain, and to the Xiuding Temple Pagoda to see the intricate glazed brick flowers.
Xiuding Temple Pagoda
Jindeng Temple Grottoes
In Gaoling, Anyang, the teacher will help you understand the life of Cao Cao, the hero of the Three Kingdoms period, and go to the Northern Dynasties Archaeological Museum to find out the mystery of the end of the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
Jingxing/Zhengding/Quyang: An open-air museum of ancient architecture
The Great Wall has nine passes, and the nine fortresses of the world are known as Niangzi Pass and Jingxing Pass. Standing to the north and south of the Taihang Mountains, they control a crucial strategic route. This is Jingxing, one of the Eight Passes of the Taihang Mountains. Walking along the Jingxing Ancient Road, crossing the towering Taihang Mountains, you arrive in Zhengding, Hebei, a place Liang Sicheng called "an open-air museum of ancient architecture."
Guanyin Temple in Zhengding Longxing Temple
With nine towers, four pagodas, and eight grand temples, Zhengding Ancient City is dotted with numerous nationally protected historical buildings. We'll visit Longxing Temple, where Liang Sicheng visited four times. He remarked, "I have never witnessed so many historical sites in such a small place, in such a short time." Now, let's take a closer look at the "Six Wonders" of Longxing Temple that he observed.
Then we went to Tianning Temple, Kaiyuan Temple, Linji Temple and Guanghui Temple to explore the legend of Zhengding Flower Pagoda; at Beiyue Temple in Quyang, we looked for the splendor of the largest existing wooden structure building from the Yuan Dynasty in China; at Pilu Temple, we saw the Ming Dynasty water and land painting, one of the "Four Great Murals of Ancient China".
Remember the Zhaozhou Bridge from elementary school textbooks? Liang Sicheng conducted a detailed inspection of the bridge in 1933, was deeply impressed, and unexpectedly encountered its "sister bridge," the Yongtong Bridge. On this trip, we'll cross both bridges, witnessing these legendary works of bridge history, and the Dharani Sutra Pillar, which Liang Sicheng called "China's First."
Zhaozhou Bridge
Yongtong Bridge
Dharani Sutra Pillar
Mount Wutai: Half Buddhist Land, Half Wilderness
On the main wall of Cave 61 of Mogao Grottoes, there is a magnificent green landscape painting depicting Mount Wutai thousands of kilometers away.
In the wild, Mount Wutai is the roof of North China, a majestic and winding landscape filled with seas of flowers and meadows, mists and clouds, and herds of cattle and horses. In the Buddhist land, it is home to numerous temples, lingering Buddhist chants, morning bells and evening drums, lingering incense, and crowds of worshippers. The "Great Buddha Light Temple" hidden in this Mount Wutai mural inspired Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin, and others to embark on a journey to explore ancient sites in Shanxi.
They were delighted with this ancient Buddhist temple, which houses Tang Dynasty paintings, Tang Dynasty calligraphy, Tang Dynasty sculptures and Tang Dynasty architecture. They believed that this temple is "truly the first national treasure of our country."
Let us walk into Mount Wutai together, embrace the mountain breeze at the top of the mountain, search for ancient treasures in the deep forest, pray in front of the Buddhist altar, and meditate quietly.
Ancient Chinese architecture was primarily made of wood, and a single spark from an offering could ignite an entire temple, reducing a massive structure to ashes. Coupled with earlier human vandalism and irresistible natural disasters, a significant number of ancient buildings have collapsed and deteriorated in the past two years.
Retracing Lianglin Road is a time-sensitive exploration of civilization, a profound reflection on the past and the future. One day, what you discover and learn along this path will nourish your life, empowering you to take each step with greater resolve and strength.
In spring, blossoms reflect the age-old walls, swallows of the Wang and Xie dynasties fly over the eaves, and wind chimes beneath the ancient temple sway in the breeze, as if issuing a joyful invitation. Will you come this time?
