Jishan Qinglong Temple

Jishan Qinglong Temple

Jishan Qinglong Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located 4 kilometers west of Jishan County in Shanxi Province, on the western side of Macun Village. The temple sits on an earthen mound surrounded by vast open land and nestled among date orchards, offering a uniquely scenic charm. It was first built in the second year of the Longshuo era of the Tang Dynasty (662 AD) and renamed to its current title the following year. It underwent multiple reconstructions, renovations, and repainting efforts during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Most of the existing structures date back to the Yuan and Ming periods. Covering an area of over 6,000 square meters, the temple is divided into two courtyards—front and rear—with eight halls of varying sizes. The front courtyard includes the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Arhat Hall, the Kṣitigarbha Hall (now damaged), and faces north toward the Amitabha Hall. The rear courtyard houses the Mahavira Hall, the Waist Hall, the Rear Hall, and east and west wing rooms. On either side of the Rear Hall are auxiliary chambers dedicated to the Guardian Deity, Skanda, patriarchs, and the Temple Guardians. Both the Waist Hall and the Rear Mahavira Hall have three bays and feature single-eave gable-and-hip roofs. The Waist Hall was renovated in 1289 during the Yuan Dynasty, while the Rear Mahavira Hall was reconstructed in 1351. The auxiliary chambers are also Yuan Dynasty relics. Although the statues in all halls have been lost, murals remain in the Waist Hall and the Rear Mahavira Hall, covering approximately 185.13 square meters. The Rear Mahavira Hall contains six murals, each 2.3 meters high and 1.2 meters wide, primarily depicting Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The eastern wall features the image of Sakyamuni, flanked by disciples Ananda and Kasyapa, two bodhisattvas, and guardian deities in the corners. The western wall shows Maitreya Buddha with attendant bodhisattvas, and the southwestern corner includes attendants and donors. Most of the Rear Hall murals were repainted or refurbished in 1385 during the Ming Dynasty, though a small section in the southwest corner retains an ancient, simple style that preserves Yuan Dynasty characteristics. The murals in the Waist Hall form a large composition, standing 4 meters high and 7 meters wide, categorized as Water-Land Ritual paintings. They cover a wide range of themes from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Despite the complexity and multitude of figures, the murals are vivid and well-organized. The paintings on the east, west, and south walls of the Waist Hall were created when the hall was built, while those on the north wall and the fan-shaped wall were added during the Ming Dynasty. The murals in the Waist Hall display the finest artistry—figures are proportionally accurate, colors are rich, lines are fluid, and the craftsmanship rivals that of the Yongle Palace murals.

Address: West side of Macun Village, 4 kilometers west of Jishan County

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units