Quanzhou | Hidden Details at Kaiyuan Temple You Might’ve Missed!

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This temple also reflects Quanzhou’s rich history as a global maritime trade hub during the Song and Yuan dynasties — where cultures met and fused harmoniously. 🌏🛕💫

🧭 Must-Notice Hidden Highlights:
🔹 Heavenly King Hall (天王殿)
Built during the Republican era
Check out the couplet:
“This ancient city is a Buddhist kingdom, saints fill the streets” — penned by philosopher Zhu Xi, written by master Hong Yi
Unlike the usual Four Heavenly Kings, this hall follows Esoteric Buddhist tradition, featuring Mìjì Vajra and Brahma King on either side 🛡️

🔹 Worship Pavilion (拜亭)
Hidden beneath two century-old banyan trees, you’ll find:
15 stone sutra pillars and pagodas from the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties
A majestic bixi (stone tortoise) sculpture 🐢

🔹 Main Hall: Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿)
A Ming dynasty structure known for its “column-reduction” technique
86 stone pillars, earning it the nickname “Hall of 100 Pillars” 💯
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Post by Fly with Jess | Apr 10, 2025