Pingyao Shuanglin Temple Colored Sculpture Art Museum

Pingyao Shuanglin Temple Colored Sculpture Art Museum

Pingyao Shuanglin Temple Colored Sculpture Art Museum is a Buddhist art museum. On December 3, 1997, the 21st session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee passed a resolution to include “Ancient City of Pingyao” in the World Heritage List, of which Shuanglin Temple is one part.

Shuanglin Temple was originally named Zhongdu Temple. In the Song Dynasty, it was renamed Shuanglin Temple based on the Buddhist scripture that speaks of “Shuanglin entering nirvana.” The temple complex consists of 11 halls arranged across three courtyards. The ancient locust tree from the Tang Dynasty, stone steles from the Song Dynasty, bells from the Ming Dynasty, colored sculptures, and ancient architecture within the temple are all rare treasures, especially renowned for their colored sculpture art. There are over two thousand existing colored sculptures, ranging from over a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) tall to just over a chi (approximately 0.3 meters) in height. They are lifelike and each has its own unique characteristics. The exquisite carving skills and timeless artistic value fully demonstrate the outstanding talent and artistic creativity of the ancient Han Chinese laboring people. It truly represents the essence of Yuan and Ming dynasty colored sculptures in China.

Location

Shuanglin Temple, north side of Qiaotou Village

Further Reading:

· China National Third-Class Museum