White Tire Temple

White Tire Temple

White Tire Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Also known as Pudai Temple. Located on the west side of Guangma Village, about 20 kilometers northwest of Xinjiang County, Shanxi Province. The year of its establishment is unknown. It was renovated in the 14th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (726 AD), rebuilt during the Dading and Mingchang periods of the Jin Dynasty, partially refurbished in the 5th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1355 AD), and further repaired during the Ming and

Qing dynasties. The main existing structures include the Fahzang Pavilion, watchtower, Sakyamuni Hall, Rear Main Hall, and side halls. The Fahzang Pavilion has three stories, was first built in the Jin Dynasty and renovated in the Yuan Dynasty. It is built against a earthen cliff, spanning three bays, with a hip-and-gable roof, featuring a balustraded viewing platform. Its design is majestic and structure exquisite. The lower level of the pavilion houses a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva and attendants, while the upper level enshrines the Three Saints of the West—statues from the Yuan Dynasty. The east side hall is dedicated to Kṣitigarbha and the Ten Kings of Hell, and the two side halls enshrine the Medicine Buddha, all created in the 6th year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1511 AD). The Sakyamuni Hall was built during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty, is square with three bays, features a single-eave nine-ridge roof, has a relatively tall structure with gentle roof pitch, and a simple beam-frame construction. The hall houses statues of the Tathagata Buddha, Ānanda, Mahākāśyapa (the two disciples), two attendant bodhisattvas, and six arhats on either side. Each figure has delicate facial features and well-defined musculature. Though renovated in later periods, they still retain the style of the Jin Dynasty. The Rear Main Hall was rebuilt in the 15th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1355 AD), with five bays under a hanging gable roof. The bracket sets are simple, and the beam sections follow the natural timber shape. The hall contains statues of one Buddha and two bodhisattvas, still in the style of the Yuan Dynasty. The temple preserves stone stelae dating from the Tang and Song dynasties, including a nine-tiered Buddhist sculpture stele from the Tang Dynasty and an iron plaque from the 3rd year of the Xuanhe era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1121 AD), all of high historical and artistic value.