The largest iron-cast Buddha head in the country
by EVIE MEYERS
Apr 6, 2024
Hidden within Linfen's old city, Tiefo Temple (Dayun Temple) was originally built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. In the 34th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1695), a magnitude 8 earthquake struck Pingyang, severely damaging Tiefo Temple. Miraculously, the temple's giant iron Buddha head survived👍.
The head of Sakyamuni Buddha stands 6.8 meters tall, 3.8 meters wide, with a circumference of 16 meters, and weighs approximately 15 tons. It was cast in a single piece of pig iron. The iron Buddha head has a dignified and benevolent appearance, with full cheeks, prominent brow bones, earlobes reaching the shoulders, and spiraling hair. Its features are remarkably lifelike. This is the tallest surviving Tang Dynasty iron Buddha head in the world, and a testament to the peak of iron-smelting craftsmanship during the prosperous Tang era. The Buddha head's solemn, downcast gaze seems to pierce through millennia, inspiring awe and reverence.
P.S. Shooting from the side or front with a wide-angle lens makes for a great portrait spot🤳.
🌿The temple also houses a glazed pagoda from the Ming Dynasty, which is also quite majestic and elegant.
▫️▫️▫️▫️ ⓘ ⓝ ⓕ ⓞ ▫️▫️▫️▫️
⏰Hours: 8:30 am–5:30 pm (winter)/6:00 pm (summer)
🎫Tickets: Free! Enter with your ID card
🚌Transportation: Take bus No. 3 from Linfen Station to Gulou Station and walk from there
Post by CascadeReveuse789 | Feb 24, 2025


















