Fengguo Temple

Millennium National Treasure Fengguo Temple | Liao Dynasty Wooden Architectural Marvel + Seven-Buddha Pilgrimage, Unlock the Sacred Buddhist Light from "The Grandmaster"

Hidden in the ancient town of Yi County, Jinzhou, Liaoning, lies Fengguo Temple—a royal Liao Dynasty monastery hailed by Liang Sicheng as the "Pinnacle of National Treasures." Built in 1020, it has miraculously withstood earthquakes, wars, and even a 1948 artillery shell that pierced its roof without exploding. Today, it stands tall as one of China's first national key cultural relics, renowned for its Great Buddha Hall, the largest single-eave wooden structure in ancient China:

1. **World-Class Wooden Architectural Gem**
The Great Buddha Hall spans 55 meters wide and 24 meters high, supported by sparse wooden pillars holding up a 1,829㎡ dome. Its "column-reduction technique" represents the pinnacle of 11th-century Chinese architecture. Liang Sicheng praised it in *The History of Chinese Architecture*: "A millennium-old national treasure, a rarity among rarities!"

2. **Exquisite Colored Sculptures & Flying Apsaras**
The hall houses the world's oldest colored sculptures of the Seven Buddhas (each over 8 meters tall), symbolizing Sakyamuni and the six past Buddhas. Look up to see Liao Dynasty flying apsaras painted on the beams, adorned with cinnabar and gold—unique in the world.

3. **Filming Location for Wong Kar-wai's Movie**
The Buddhist worship scene featuring Zhang Ziyi in *The Grandmaster* was shot here. The interplay of light and shadow among ancient bricks and Buddha statues makes it a photographer's paradise.

**Concise Travel Guide**
🚗 **Transportation**
- *Self-drive*: Navigate to "Fengguo Temple, Yi County" (1.5 hours from downtown Jinzhou).
- *Public bus*: Take a coach from Jinzhou Bus Station to Yi County, then walk 1.3 km north.
- *Tip*: No ride-hailing in Yi County; book local taxis in advance.

🎫 **Tickets & Hours**
- *Peak season* (Apr 1–Oct 31): 8:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00).
- *Off-season* (Nov 1–Mar 31): 8:30–16:00 (last entry 15:30).
- Ticket: 50 RMB; parking: 10 RMB per visit.

🔥 **Must-See Highlights**
- **Great Buddha Hall**: Seven-Buddha statues, Yuan Dynasty murals, reverse-seated Guanyin, and beam apsaras.
- **Qing Dynasty Complex**: Stone lions at the gate, wooden archway carvings, and stele pavilion engravings.
- **Archaeological Site**: Foundations of Liao Dynasty corridors/pavilions (excavation ongoing).

💡 **Pro Tips**
1. *Prep work*: Check the official website for 720° VR tours to study details.
2. *Nearby attraction*: Don’t miss Wanfo Cave Grottoes (Northern Wei Dynasty art), 15 minutes away.
3. *Best photo time*: Early morning or 1 hour before closing, when sunlight streams through lattice windows, bathing the hall in gold.
4. *Hidden gem*: Temple squirrels abound—bring nuts to meet these "spiritual little friends."

**In a nutshell**: This temple preserves the faith epic of the Liao Dynasty royalty—a symphony of wood, sculpture, and history. Step into Yi County and touch the unyielding spine of a millennium-old civilization!