Guangsheng Temple 广胜寺

About Guangsheng Temple

Its upper and lower compounds should be understood as separate parts of a hillside ensemble. The upper temple is dominated by Feihong Pagoda, whose coloured glazed decoration turns the tower into a close-up study of figures and architectural detail. The lower temple brings the visitor back to timber halls and a different spatial setting. Allow time for the movement between compounds instead of treating the pagoda photograph as the entire visit.

Guangsheng Temple stands on Mount Huo (霍山), about 17 kilometers northeast of the Hongdong county seat in Linfen. It is known as the source of the Buddhist canon called the Zhaocheng Jin Canon (赵城金藏), and it was listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level (全国重点文物保护单位) in the first batch in 1961.

The temple complex consists of three groups of historic buildings: Guangsheng Upper Temple, which crowns the hill; Guangsheng Lower Temple, at the foot of the mountain facing Huo Spring (霍泉); and the Water God Temple (水神庙), to its west. The lower temple's buildings are almost entirely of Yuan-dynasty date, while most of the upper temple was rebuilt during the Ming dynasty. The Water God Temple preserves large Yuan-dynasty murals, including one titled 'Zhongduxiu Performing Here' (大行散乐忠都秀在此作场), depicting the staging of a Yuan zaju opera.

What to look for

• Feihong Pagoda and its richly coloured glazed surfaces at the upper temple.
• The lower temple's historic halls, which contrast with the tall pagoda above.

Location & getting there

Getting to Guangsheng Temple

Approach the foot of Mount Huo northeast of Hongdong and confirm the operating route between Guangsheng's upper and lower temple areas.

• Choose the sequence according to the entrance and transfer arrangements on arrival; the two compounds sit at different levels.