Chongqing Temple in Zhangzi

Chongqing Temple in Zhangzi

Chongqing Temple in Zhangzi is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Chongqing Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, located at the foot of Ziyun Mountain, approximately 22.5 kilometers southeast of Zhangzi County, Shanxi Province. The temple was first built in the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1016 AD). The entire complex faces south, with the Thousand Buddha Hall situated to the north, the Reclining Buddha Hall to the east, the Three Great Bodhisattvas and Eighteen Arhats Hall to the west, the Heavenly King Hall to the south, and an entrance gate to the southeast. To the east of the gate stands the Guan Yu Hall, to the northwest is the Ten Kings of Hell Hall, and to the southwest is the Jigulzhangjue Hall. The eastern courtyard serves as the monks' living quarters.

Chongqing Temple (Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Period: Song Dynasty

Address: Mid-slope of Ziyun Mountain, 22 kilometers southeast of Zhangzi County

Admission: Free; currently closed for renovation, reopening with fees is expected soon. My car rental companion knew the renovation management staff, which allowed us entry to visit the temple.

Transportation: Inconvenient; located 5 kilometers from Faxing Temple. It is recommended to hire a private car, costing about 20 RMB one way or 30–40 RMB round trip.

Chongqing Temple is divided into the front and rear temples. The front is the Huguo Lingkuangwang Temple, and the rear is Chongqing Temple, with the two about 200 meters apart. The Huguo Lingkuangwang Temple was established in the fourth year of the Xuanhe era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1122 AD), and underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The current structures date back to the Ming and Qing periods. The temple consists of two courtyards arranged along a central axis, with a generally symmetrical layout. The total area is 2081.13 square meters, and the building area is 1256.83 square meters. Structures along the central axis include the Mountain Gate, the King’s Hall (Main Hall), and the King’s Palace (Bedchamber). Flanking the Mountain Gate are side towers and side gates. The eastern and western sides of the front courtyard are corridor rooms, with the Gao? Shrine and the Medicine King Shrine on the eastern and western sides of the Main Hall, respectively. The eastern and western sides of the rear courtyard are wing rooms (the eastern side has collapsed, but the foundation remains). On the eastern and western sides of the rear hall are the White Robe Hall and the Great Mercy Hall. There are nine Qing Dynasty stone steles preserved in the temple.

Chongqing Temple was first built in the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1016 AD). In the second year of the Yuanfeng era (1079 AD), the statues were completed, and expansions and renovations were carried out during the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to a stele from the third year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty: “The Thousand Buddha Hall is to the north, the Reclining Buddha Hall to the east, the Bodhisattva Hall to the west, and the Heavenly King Hall to the south…” The current overall layout largely corresponds to this description.

Location

Foot of Ziyun Mountain, Ziyunshan Road (County Road 685), Zhangzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units