Boxing Xingguo Temple

Boxing Xingguo Temple

Boxing Xingguo Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

Commonly known as the Zhangba Buddha Temple, Xingguo Temple is located at the northwest corner of Zhaigao Village, Zhaihao Township, Boxing County. It was first built in the first year of the Tianping era (534 AD) and has been renovated repeatedly from the Sui and Tang dynasties through the Qing dynasty. Historical records indicate that it was refurbished during the Tang's Tianbao era, Jin's Tianjuan era, Yuan's Zhen era, Ming's Chenghua, Wanli, and Chongzhen eras, as well as Qing's Daoguang era.

The Zhangba Buddha stone statue, also known as the Xingguo Temple stone statue, is situated at the northwest corner of Zhaigao Village, Zhaihao Township, about 10 kilometers southeast of Boxing County’s urban area. It earned the popular name "Zhangba Buddha" (Eighteen-foot Buddha) due to its impressive height.

The statue faces south and sits on a north-facing base. It stands 6.75 meters tall in total, with a base height of 1.5 meters and a base area of 7.29 square meters. It is a free-standing, round-carved statue made of bluestone. The Buddha features a high ushnisha, a square-round face with a gentle smile, full cheeks, large ears, and a solemn expression. Dressed in a “wide-sleeved, cross-collared” monastic robe draped over the shoulders, the figure wears inner monk’s robes tied at the chest and forms the “Fearlessness and Wish-Granting Mudra” with its hands, standing barefoot on a lotus pedestal. The carving is exquisitely detailed, with vivid modeling, accurate human proportions, and smooth, flowing drapery lines—truly a masterpiece of art.

According to historical records: In 534 AD, a temple was first established here and named Xingguo Temple. The Zhangba Buddha stone statue was originally enshrined in the main hall of the temple, where it was adorned with gold powder and a colorful robe. On either side of the statue were carved six donors and one monk, with one figure in the center depicted holding a Bo Mountain censer with both hands in a clasped gesture. Five stone steles were erected inside the hall, with the largest central stele featuring 29 intricately carved and lifelike Buddha images in various forms. The four flanking steles respectively bear inscriptions documenting the temple’s renovations in the second year of the Yuanshen era of the Yuan dynasty, the first year of the Jingtai era of the Ming dynasty, the first year of the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty, and the sixth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing dynasty. The annual temple fair held on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month was once widely renowned for its bustling incense offerings. By the end of the Qing dynasty, Xingguo Temple had fallen into disrepair due to years of neglect, leading to its collapse, loss of the steles, and leaving only the Zhangba Buddha exposed on open ground.

In 1982, the Zhangba Buddha stone statue was listed as a county-level key cultural relic under protection. It was further designated as a provincial-level protected cultural relic in 1992. In 1998, Hong Kong businessman Mr. Ou Tongguo invested 4 million yuan to renovate the protection project, constructing two new halls and a mountain gate on a 13-acre site. The project has since been completed and opened to visitors.