Jueshan Temple Pagoda

Jueshan Temple Pagoda

Jueshan Temple Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The brick pagoda of Jueshan Temple is divided into two parts: the base and the main body. The base features brick carvings on all four sides, depicting majestic Vajra warriors and graceful dancers and musicians. The main body is an octagonal thirteen-story structure with an internal stairway for climbing. Inside, there is a wooden carved reclining Buddha, and the walls are adorned with brightly colored, lifelike murals. Jueshan Temple is situated in the Xuanzhong Mountain, about thirty li southeast of Lingqiu County town. Xuanzhong Mountain is also known as Jueshan. The Tang River flows in front of the temple, with Jueshan Mountain standing as a natural screen behind it. The temple is surrounded by mountains and shaded by ancient trees, creating lush greenery all around. The grand halls and picturesque scenery are truly captivating.

Jueshan Temple was first built in the seventh year of the Taihe era during the Northern Wei Dynasty (483 AD). The entire temple complex is exquisitely designed, with 134 meditation halls arranged along three axes, presenting an orderly layout. The most remarkable feature is that the white pagoda, the water well, and the mountain peak of Jueshan Temple are all at the same height—13 zhang—earning the temple the unique reputation of "Pagoda, Well, and Mountain in Harmony (or Wonder)." The Buddhist halls within the temple are comprehensive, including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wooden Clapper Tower, Signal Tower, Heavenly King Hall, Vajra Hall, Arhat Hall, Skanda Hall, Maitreya Hall, and Guizhen Hall, as well as the Mahavira Hall, Zangchang Pavilion, and Kuixing Pavilion. The walls of the Mahavira Hall are painted with depictions of the Eight Immortals, featuring smooth, natural lines, appropriately matched attire, well-proportioned and full figures, and fresh, vibrant colors. Interestingly, over seventy percent of the immortals in the murals share the same facial features—clear contours, slender eyebrows, long eyes, square and straight noses, ears that extend to the shoulders, vermilion-painted lips—which convey a sense of solemn dignity and benevolence. These Taoist immortal faces bear the same characteristics as those of the Buddha, making this temple a fine example of the unity of Buddhism and Taoism. The surrounding mountains of Jueshan Temple are interconnected, resembling a lotus pedestal that cradles the entire temple complex. On the eastern side, two mountain peaks face each other, forming a concave shape like a brush rest, known as Brush Rest Mountain, symbolizing literary prosperity. After rain or in the early morning fog, a black square stele sometimes appears halfway up the mountain, called the "Mist Stele." On the annual temple fair day, the fourth day of the fourth lunar month, it invariably rains, and after the rain, the stele reappears amidst the mist, sparking endless reverie.

Guide

The brick pagoda was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Daguang era during the Liao Dynasty (1090). It is an octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave brick pagoda with a total height of 43.54 meters. The lower part has a double-layered base. The first layer is square, with sides measuring 19.6 meters, topped by an octagonal Sumeru pedestal. The pedestal is equipped with a beam, which supports the eaves' bracket sets. The base's four sides feature brick carvings, depicting majestic Vajra warriors and graceful dancers and musicians. Inside the main body is a wooden carved reclining Buddha, and the walls house 60 square meters of precious murals from the Liao Dynasty.

Special Notes

Jueshan Temple is located on the slope of the ancient Pu Yin Pass, one of the eight passes through the Taihang Mountains. The eight passes were vital communication routes between Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan, and Pu Yin Pass is one of the most famous among them.

Address: Jueshan Village, Hongshiling Township, 10 kilometers southeast of Lingqiu County, Datong City

Type: Historical Architecture / Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

7:00-19:00

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 20.0 RMB

Transportation

Take a bus from downtown Datong to Lingqiu County, then hire a car from Lingqiu County. Drive south along

S201, turn right toward the southwest at the Taohua Karst Cave Scenic Area, and continue straight to Xiwantai Longyuchi Village.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units