Yaolin Temple

Yaolin Temple

Yaolin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Introduction: Yaolin Temple Forest Park is located 20 kilometers south of Pingding County, covering an area of over 4,000 acres. It is a relatively well-preserved mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest within Pingding County, with the main tree species being Chinese pine and oak, and shrubs including smoke tree and thorny rose. The park is home to dozens of species of birds and animals, featuring a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, grasses, and a wildlife paradise where flora and fauna coexist, untouched by external environmental pollution. Yaoling Temple is situated on Yaoling Mountain. Originally named Qingliang Temple, it was first built in the ninth year of the Ming Dynasty's Xuande era (1434). The temple complex consists of large structures such as stone caves and east-west buildings. The stone cave houses a total of 38 carved statues, while the east and west halls contain statues of Guan Yu, Yue Fei, Jialan, and the Medicine Buddha. In addition to the standing Buddha statues, there are countless smaller figures depicting various characters, found throughout. There are also stone carvings and inscribed tablets among other religious relics. Zhang Sanmo of the Ming Dynasty wrote a seven-character regulated poem titled "Yaoling Temple": "Qingliang ancient temple exits the city’s edge, Lonely smoke villages all remain aloof. At the mountaintop cliff hides a tiger’s den, Towering ancient trees resemble dragon scales. In deep clouds, herb-gathering fairies stray, At silent night, hanging herbs reveal an elder. The study and monks’ dwellings both delight, Could one sit here, apart from worldly noise?" Yaoling Mountain features steep and rugged terrain with grotesque rocks, making the place feel like a paradise on earth. Standing atop the mountain and looking over the panorama, the scenery changes with the seasons. Spring is a world of flowers; by summer, the vibrant colors turn into a sea of green amidst birdsong and floral fragrance; in autumn, various medicinal herbs and wild fruits abound, and the mountainside is painted with intermingled red and green leaves, offering a unique view; winter is one of the most beautiful sights, where resilient pines stand firmly as in spring, and after a heavy snowfall, the vast landscape is draped in silver, transforming into a snowy plain. Midway up Yaoling Mountain lies a huge rock called Qingliang Rock, within which a stone cave has been carved. The cave houses dozens of large Buddha statues, Bodhisattvas, and figures from the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea and the Eighteen Arhats. The cave ceiling is adorned with carvings of flying dragons and floral-bird patterns, beneath which lies an octagonal well containing divine water. The dragon’s reflection in the water looks as if it is playing with the water. On top of Qingliang Rock also stands the Great Buddha Hall, housing over 700 Buddha statues of various sizes. The east and west side halls are known as the Jialan Hall and Guan Yu Hall. Additionally, the park features several other attractions, including Pengsong, Jingou Spring, Jiangtai Ridge, One-Line Sky, and Daiyue Rock.

Transportation: First take a bus to Meng County, then transfer to Bus No. 1 to Zangshan. By car: Yaolin Temple is east of National Highway 207 and north of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway and Taiyuan-Old Street Expressway.

Ticket / Opening Hours: 12 yuan

Yangquan City, Shanxi Province