Bronze Bell of Jingzi at Kaiyuan Temple in Rongxian

Bronze Bell of Jingzi at Kaiyuan Temple in Rongxian

The Bronze Bell of Jingzi at Kaiyuan Temple in Rongxian is a cultural relic protected at the autonomous region level of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Bronze Bell of Jingzi at Kaiyuan Temple during the Tang Dynasty

Cast in the 12th year of the Zhenyuan era (796 AD) during the Tang Dynasty, the bell is over 1,200 years old and is a key cultural relic under the protection of Guangxi. It stands 1.83 meters tall, has a circumference of 3.25 meters, a diameter of 1.09 meters, and weighs 3,500 jin (by ancient measurement). The front of the bell is engraved with the text “In the 12th year of Zhenyuan, in the year of Jingzi, on the 22nd day of the 12th month, at the hour of Siyou, Fang Rufu, Regional Pacification Commissioner, Prefect of Rongzhou, and concurrently Censor-in-chief, together with his staff and senior generals, respectfully cast this grand bell at Kaiyuan Temple. It weighs 3,500 jin and will forever serve as an offering.” It is now one of the largest surviving bronze bells in Guangxi.