Zhenguo Temple

Zhenguo Temple is located in Haodong Village, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. It is one of the oldest wooden structures still standing in China, renowned for its millennium-old architecture and precious polychrome sculptures.

🏯 Pingyao Zhenguo Temple Travel Guide

📌 Basic Information

· Core Highlights: Zhenguo Temple is one of the oldest wooden structures in China. Its Wanfo Hall has completely preserved the wooden architectural framework from the Five Dynasties period over a thousand years ago. The polychrome sculptures inside the hall are the only surviving works from the Five Dynasties period in temples nationwide, regarded as "rare treasures."
· Temple Layout: The temple is divided into front and rear courtyards, with the main axis featuring the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Wanfo Hall, and Sanfo Building in sequence.
· Suggested Visit Duration: 1-2 hours.
· Ticket Price Reference: Approximately 25 RMB.
· Opening Hours Reference:
· Spring and Summer (4/1-10/8): About 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM/7:30 PM
· Autumn and Winter (10/9-3/31): About 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

🗺 Key Attractions

1. Wanfo Hall: This is the essence of Zhenguo Temple.
· Architectural Marvel: Appreciate its tightly constructed beam framework and experience the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans from a thousand years ago.
· Five Dynasties Polychrome Sculptures: The 11 polychrome statues enshrined inside are original works from the Five Dynasties period, with full faces and robust bodies, inheriting the artistic style of the Tang Dynasty, making them extremely precious.
2. Sanfo Building: Located behind Wanfo Hall, the walls inside are painted with Buddhist story murals from the Ming Dynasty. The compositions are complete and fluent, with colors still vivid, making them treasures among Ming Dynasty murals.

💡 Travel Tips

· Transportation: Zhenguo Temple is about 12-15 kilometers from Pingyao Ancient City. You can take bus route 209 after arriving at Pingyao Ancient City.
· Combined Visit Recommendation: Zhenguo Temple is often visited together with Shuanglin Temple (famous for its stunning Ming Dynasty polychrome sculptures). Along with Pingyao Ancient City, they are collectively known as "One City, Two Temples," all listed as World Heritage Sites.
· Best Season: Suitable all year round. However, note that the temple is reported to be open from April to October and closed on Mondays. It is recommended to confirm before your trip.