Qinglong Temple Murals, Exquisite Artwork Rivaling Yongle Palace!

Qinglong Temple, Jishan County, Shanxi

Just less than a hundred meters from the Macun Brick Carving Tomb, there's a place you shouldn't miss—Qinglong Temple, which houses large-scale murals from the Yuan and Ming dynasties!

Qinglong Temple was originally built in 662 during the Tang Dynasty's Longshuo era as an official imperial temple. However, the great Hedong earthquake of 1303 (Yuan Dynasty) destroyed the entire temple complex. After years of reconstruction, this weather-beaten ancient temple was finally preserved.

Today, the temple is a fifth-batch national cultural heritage site. It recently completed over six months of restoration and reopened to the public this February!

The most impressive murals in Qinglong Temple are found in the Waist Hall, which was rebuilt in 1289 during the Yuan Dynasty.

Stepping into the hall, you're immediately struck by a sense of profound history. While the statues no longer exist, the hall preserves approximately 130 square meters of murals!

There are various opinions about the age of Qinglong Temple's murals. The prevailing view is that they were painted over a period of more than 100 years, with some portions dating from the Yuan Dynasty—even earlier than the Yongle Palace murals—and others added during the Ming Dynasty after the Hedong earthquake.

These murals primarily use blue-green as their main color scheme and depict Water-Land Assembly scenes that combine Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, also known as Water-Land paintings.

Through the dim light, you can faintly see various divine figures covering all four walls!

Let's discuss the western wall, which features the "Three Buddhas of Three Ages" and Buddha worship scenes. Three Buddha figures are painted in the upper center of the wall.

Near one side of the three Buddhas, in a lower position, is a Bodhisattva figure labeled as Maitreya Bodhisattva.

Below the three Buddhas, a monk with his back turned is bowing before an incense altar. On both sides are Taoist pantheon scenes featuring various crowned figures.

Most of these figures have identifying labels. Among them, two in imperial attire are Indra and Mahabrahma, flanked by the Moon Palace Deity and Sun Palace Deity.

On the upper southern end of the western wall, behind the Moon Palace Deity are the Eight Divisions of Gods and Dragons, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Divine Mother Yuan Jun, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper.

In the lower part of the mural, the center features a pair of dharma-protecting deities. Behind the southern dharma protector are the Great Yaksha Assembly, the Twelve Primal Qi Deities, the Three Realms' Divine Assembly, the Brahmin Immortals Assembly, and the Four Dragon Kings.

On the upper northern end of the western wall, behind the Sun Palace Deity are the Five Hell Kings and the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper.

In the lower section, behind the dharma-protecting deity are Mother Hariti's Assembly, the Celestial Star Lords, the Great Rakshasa Assembly, the Five Directional Emperors, and the Five Penetrating Immortals. All these figures are depicted in various vivid poses, appearing remarkably lifelike!