The Five Hundred Arhats Hall at Xichan Temple in Fuzhou

The Five Hundred Arhats Hall, built in 1993, is a five-story structure and the largest building in the temple complex. Xichan Temple is Fuzhou's most imperial-style ancient temple, not only due to its vast area but also because of its uniformly golden glazed tile roofs, which closely resemble those of the Forbidden City. The combination of red and yellow colors is unconventional yet exudes grandeur.

Surrounded by white stone railings, the entire hall is adorned in red and yellow hues. Four circular stone pillars at the front are carved with giant dragons, while the spaces between the four stone steps feature intricate dragon carvings on single stone blocks with smooth lines. Inside, numerous Arhat statues display diverse postures, each vividly lifelike. The hall also houses a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures and cultural relics. The Arhats Hall is a majestic architectural complex dedicated to the worship of Tathagata Buddha and celestial deities. Comprising six floors with one main hall and two side halls, it stands as the most magnificent structure in the temple.

The main hall features a 4-meter-tall statue of Tathagata Buddha, while 500 Arhats are distributed across six levels, each with unique expressions and postures—some laughing heartily, others stern-faced, some benevolent, some authoritative, standing, meditating, leaping, or reclining—no two are alike. Visitors can ascend to the top via internal staircases; reaching the fifth floor offers panoramic views of both the ancient temple and urban cityscape.

Post by WESTLEY MANNING | Jun 15, 2025