Pingyao Shuanglin Temple

Pingyao Shuanglin Temple

Pingyao Shuanglin Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Shuanglin Temple (Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Ming Dynasty

Address: Qiaotou Village, 6 kilometers southwest of Pingyao County

Shuanglin Temple was originally named Zhongdu Temple, deriving its name from the ancient title “Zhongdu” (Central Capital) of Pingyao County.

The exact founding date of the temple is uncertain. According to the “Auntie’s Stele” from the fourth year of Daguan in the Northern Song Dynasty (1011 AD), which still exists in the temple, Zhongdu Temple was established in the second year of Wuping during the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD), but was later destroyed in war. It was extensively renovated during the Song Dynasty and renamed “Shuanglin Temple” (Temple of the Twin Forests) after the Buddhist scripture reference to the Buddha’s nirvana under the “twin sal trees.” It underwent reconstruction during the Ming Dynasty in the Jingtai, Tianshun, Hongzhi, Zhengde, Jiajing, and Wanli reigns, and multiple renovations were carried out during the Daoguang and Xuantong reigns of the Qing Dynasty. Most of the existing structures date back to the Ming Dynasty, as do many of the statues.

The temple faces south and is built on an earthen platform over 3 meters high, surrounded by rammed earth walls, forming a temple fortress with a total construction area of 3,711 square meters. The layout inside the temple is well-preserved, featuring two axes: the eastern side houses halls for scripture lectures and meditation, while the western side contains the main temple buildings, arranged across three courtyards. Along the central axis are, in sequence, the fortress gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Sakyamuni Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Buddha Mother Hall. On both sides of the front courtyard are the Arhat Hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the God of Martial Arts Hall, and the Earth God Hall. Flanking the Sakyamuni Hall are bell and drum towers. The middle courtyard is spacious, with the Thousand Buddha Hall and the Bodhisattva Hall symmetrically located on either side.

The temple’s ten main halls are filled with statues, ranging in size from over a meter to just over a foot tall, totaling 2,052 statues, of which more than 1,500 are well-preserved. Most were created during the Ming Dynasty, with a few repaired or recreated in the Qing Dynasty.

Most of Shuanglin Temple’s painted clay sculptures are Ming Dynasty works, with over 1,500 well-preserved pieces. They represent the pinnacle of China’s painted clay sculpture artistry and are hailed by experts as the “treasury of Eastern clay sculpture art,” occupying an important place in the history of Chinese fine arts.

Address: Qiaotou Village, Zhongdu Township, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Type: Historical Site / Temple / UNESCO World Heritage

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0354-5779023

Opening Hours:

Peak Season: 8:30–18:00; Off-Peak Season: 8:30–17:00

Qiaotou Village: Qiaotou Village, under the jurisdiction of Zhongdu Township, Pingyao County, is located 4 kilometers southwest of the county seat at the southern end of Zhongdu Township, bordering Jiexiu to the southwest. It is home to the famous cultural heritage site — Shuanglin Temple. Qiaotou Village enjoys a superior geographical environment, laying a solid foundation for its economic development. As a pilot village for new rural construction, the village committee has fully implemented key projects focusing on improving village appearance, infrastructure development, and enhancing farmers’ quality, in line with the “Twenty-Character Guideline” for new rural construction. These efforts have yielded significant results and accelerated the pace of new rural development. … Qiaotou Village Detailed Information++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units