Dinglin Temple in Shanxi? The most beautiful lotus caisson in China is hidden here!

👈🏻 Gaoping in Shanxi is a treasure trove of ancient architecture, including Dinglin Temple. The temple's founding date is unknown, but it is said to have existed during the Tang dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Later Tang dynasty's Changxing era, the Song dynasty's Yongxi era, the Jin dynasty's Huangtong and Dading eras, the Taihe era, the Yuan dynasty's Yanyou era, and the Ming and Qing dynasties.

👈🏻 Dinglin Temple faces south and has four courtyards. The main buildings on the central axis are the Shanmen, Leiyin Hall, Three Buddhas Hall, and Seven Buddhas Hall. The Bell and Drum Towers and Dizang Hall are in the east and west of the front courtyard. Dizang Hall also has murals of the Ten Yama Kings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

👈🏻 The must-see at Dinglin Temple is the lotus caisson above the Shanmen. The octagonal caisson is dome-shaped and made of multiple layers of dougong, fangmu, and other components, culminating in a lotus pattern at the center. The caisson is exquisitely crafted using traditional techniques such as wood carving and painting. The wood carving makes each component vivid, and the lotus petals and stamens are intricately carved! The paintings are mainly in red, blue, and green, and have retained their bright colors for hundreds of years.

⭕️ Tips: The temple requires reservations and does not charge admission. The lotus caisson above the Shanmen is currently closed to the public.

Post by Avery Reed Grace-100 | Dec 7, 2024