Stone Buddha Hall of Yunfeng Temple

Stone Buddha Hall of Yunfeng Temple

The Stone Buddha Hall of Yunfeng Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Ming to Qing Dynasty

Address: Mianshan, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province

Yunfeng Temple is located in Baofu Rock, Mianshan Mountain, Mianshan Town, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Jiexiu City. According to inscriptions, Yunfeng Temple is also known as Lingguan Xianku or Dayun Temple. Originally built during the Zhenguan era (627–649) of the Tang Dynasty, it was renovated during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple complex covers an area of 3,932 square meters. It faces south and features an architectural layout divided into upper and lower levels, connected by stone staircases and plank walkways. The upper level's existing structure, the Stone Buddha Hall, dates back to the Ming Dynasty. The lower level was entirely reconstructed between 1995 and 1998.

The Stone Buddha Hall of Yunfeng Temple faces south and is a composite stone-and-timber structure. It is three bays wide and one bay deep, with a hip-and-gable roof. The gables on both sides and the rear eaves are enclosed with stone walls, while the front eaves feature a central pair of small wooden doors and side bays fitted with lattice windows and raised sills. The eave columns are adorned with bracket sets featuring three-tiered single ang (bracket arms), and include bracket arms extending outward. The beams under the roof ridge are supported by central posts, purlin brackets, and layered blocks. The secondary bays contain two bracket sets matching those of the central bay. Inside, the hall uses a three-purlin beam system, with central posts, purlin brackets, and layered blocks supporting the roof ridge beam.

In May 2013, the Stone Buddha Hall of Yunfeng Temple was designated as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units