Sima Guang Temple in Yuncheng

Sima Guang Temple in Yuncheng

Sima Guang Temple in Yuncheng is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Sima Guang Temple in Yuncheng

Sima Guang Temple is situated on Emei Ridge, north of Xiaohuang Village, about 2 kilometers from Shuitou Town toward the county seat on the Xia County section of the Datong–Yuncheng Expressway. Sima Guang (1019–1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a native of Sushui Township, Xia County (now Xia County), Shanzhou, Northern Song Dynasty, and was widely known as "Mr. Sushui." Endowed with exceptional intelligence from childhood, he became a household name through the legendary tale of "saving a child by smashing a water tank." He passed the imperial examination during the Baoyuan era and served under four emperors—Ren, Ying, Shen, and Zhe. In September of the first year of Yuanyou, he died in office at the age of 68. Posthumously honored as Grand Tutor and Duke of Wen Guo, he was given the posthumous title Wen Zheng. In January of the third year of Yuanyou, the Song court conducted a state funeral and laid him to rest in his ancestral tomb. His surviving works include the "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government) and the "Sushui Jiwen" (Records of Sushui).

The Sima Guang Tomb Temple complex spans over a hundred acres, featuring expansive, grand, and magnificent architecture divided into four main sections:

Tomb Area: Covering approximately 50 acres, this area is the burial site of Sima Guang himself and several of his ancestors. It is home to numerous ancient tombs, dense groves of trees, and stone carvings, exuding a solemn and majestic atmosphere. In late autumn, surrounded by lush pines and cypresses and vibrant persimmon trees, the scenery is strikingly beautiful with reds and greens intermingling.

Ancestral Hall: Originally built in the Song Dynasty and renovated in subsequent dynasties, the current structure follows the layout from the 27th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1726 AD). At the front is the five-bay "Apricot Flower Stele" Pavilion, housing the "Sima Wengong Spirit Way Stele" (commonly called the "Apricot Flower Stele"), written by Su Shi of the Song Dynasty, inscribed by him, and recarved during the Jin Dynasty. Behind it is the ancestral hall, featuring a main hall of five bays and ten side rooms on the east and west. The hall enshrines statues of Sima Guang’s four generations of ancestors.

Yuqing Chan Monastery: Established in the second year of the Zhiping reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1065 AD), this was the incense-offering monastery for Sima Wengong’s ancestral tomb. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng reign of Emperor Shenzong (1085 AD), it was bestowed the name "Yuqing Chan Monastery." The five-bay main hall is an original Song Dynasty structure, housing three large golden-lacquered painted Buddha statues, each around 3 meters tall, along with painted statues of Skanda and attendant bodhisattvas. On the east and west sides are the Sixteen Arhats, also from the Song Dynasty. The artworks are exquisitely crafted, vividly expressive, and brilliantly colored, illuminating the hall.

Sushui Academy: This was a school established by Sima Guang for the local youth. It now displays Sima Guang’s handwriting, various editions of the "Zizhi Tongjian," an exhibition on the imperial examination system, and the Art Exhibition Hall of Shao Zhongjie.

The temple complex also preserves numerous Northern Song stone carvings, as well as precious stelae from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Examples include the Sima Yi Stele, written by Wang Anshi and inscribed by calligrapher Lei Jianfu; the Sima Guang Spirit Way Stele (also known as the Apricot Flower Stele), written and inscribed by Su Shi; and the "Loyal, Pure, Refined, and Virtuous Stele" from the Ming Dynasty, using a Song-style dragon head (1.8m high) and turtle base (1.6m high), with the title inscribed by Emperor Zhezong of Song. All are considered treasures by generations of epigraphers.

Phone: 0359-8320835

Address: Xiaochao Village, Shuitou Town, Xia County, Yuncheng, Shanxi

Ticket: 25 RMB

Sima Guang (November 17, 1019 – 1086), courtesy name Junshi, art name Yusou, Han ethnicity, was a native of Sushui Township, Xia County (now Xia County, Shanxi), Shanzhou. He was widely known as Mr. Sushui. A politician, historian, and literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty, he served under four emperors—Ren, Ying, Shen, and Zhe. Posthumously honored as Grand Tutor and Duke of Wen Guo, he was given the posthumous title Wen Zheng. Known for his gentle, humble, and upright character as well as his diligent and hardworking nature, he famously described himself as someone who "worked by day and continued by night." His moral character is regarded as a model shaped by Confucian teachings and has long been admired.

He passed the imperial examination during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song and advanced to the position of Dragon Diagram... More detailed information about Sima Guang ++

Xiaochao Village: Located on Mingtiao Ridge, a branch of the Zhongtiao Mountain range, south of the Datong–Yuncheng Highway, Xiaochao Village has a total of 224 households and 1,026 residents, with 2,277 acres of arable land. The renowned Sima Wengong Temple is situated to the north of Xiaochao Village.

In recent years, under the guidance of the town Party committee and government, and through the efforts of the village committee and all villagers, our village has vigorously adjusted its agricultural industrial structure, improved infrastructure, achieved comprehensive economic development, and significantly raised infrastructure and cultural standards. The people have moved toward a path of basic prosperity.

As of... More detailed information about Xiaochao Village ++