Liulin Guanyin Temple

Liulin Guanyin Temple

Liulin Guanyin Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

The Guanyin Temple, also known as Guanyin Hall or White Robe Nunnery, is named after a clear spring located halfway up the mountain, hence the mountain is called Clear Spring Mountain, and the temple is also referred to as Clear Spring Temple. Its exact date of establishment is unknown. According to extant Ming and Qing dynasty steles within the temple, it was renovated in the 42nd year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1614), the monk quarters were refurbished in the 5th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1665), the various halls of the temple were further repaired in the 32nd year of the Kangxi era (1695), the Veda Tower and the mountain gate were rebuilt between the 8th (1730) and 9th years (1731) of the Yongzheng era, and the temple’s abbot Yuangui raised funds in the 28th year of the Qianlong era (1763) to renovate the halls again, with the project completed in the 30th year of Qianlong (1765).

The temple faces northwest and is situated southeast, covering an area of nearly 1,000 square meters. It has a two-courtyard layout, separated by a screen wall in the middle, with side doors along the walls. Entering through the mountain gate leads to the front courtyard, which houses a bell and drum tower and three rooms of monk quarters. The main hall is located on the east side of the rear courtyard, with side halls on the north and south sides, and the Veda Tower in the center.

The main hall is the Guanyin Hall, featuring a width of three bays, a single-eave flush gable roof, and a front eave corridor, representing Ming dynasty architecture. The north and south side halls are the Laojun Hall and the Sanguang Hall respectively, each with three bays, featuring front-corridor-style single-eave flush gable roofs and brick-arched cave dwellings, all renovated during the Qing dynasty. The front corridors of the three existing halls in the rear courtyard are all wooden structures. The wood carvings of the side halls feature unique styles and exquisite artistry. The forty-two ceiling panels of the main hall are neatly arranged, with smooth-lined paintings in simple, classic colors. The murals in the corridors on both sides are well-preserved. The temple courtyard features dragon-head water spouts, ancient cypress trees towering overhead, and a plaque hanging above the mountain gate inscribed with “Picturesque Mountains and Clear Waters,” describing the pleasant scenery of Clear Spring Mountain.

Phone: 0358-4010432

Address: Ancient Shenpo, on the south bank of Xuecun, Xuecun Town, 10 kilometers west of Liulin County

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Shanxi Province