Jishan Giant Buddha Temple

　　The Giant Buddha Temple is situated on a high cliff approximately 1 kilometer northeast of the county town. Also known as "Qingliang Temple" and "Foge Temple," it is commonly called the "Giant Buddha Temple" due to the huge Buddha sculpture carved into the cliff. In January 1996, it was designated as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Shanxi Province by the Shanxi Provincial People's Government [Document No. Jin Zheng Fa (1996) 7].

　　According to the Tongzhi-era "Jishan County Annals" and inscriptions found within the temple, the site was originally built in the second year of the Huangtong era of the Jin Dynasty (1142 AD), and was repaired or expanded multiple times during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple faces south and is oriented north, stretching 233 meters from north to south and 150 meters from east to west, covering a total area of over 4,000 square meters. Originally quite large, the temple featured a series of halls and statues along stepped pathways on both sides. Most structures were destroyed in wars. Today, only the lower hall, side halls, Ten Kings Cave, and Sixteen Arhats Cave remain.

　　The main hall is a pavilion-style structure built against the cliff. It features a three-bay front porch. The hall is three bays wide and three bays deep, with a gable and hip roof. The bracket sets on the first floor are typical Jin Dynasty components — a single ang with five-purlin construction. Originally a three-story building, the upper floors collapsed in the 30th year of the Daoguang era (1850). By the 9th year of the Xianfeng era (1859), wing walls were added, “built from the bottom up with bricks, with a three-bay upper structure constructed above.” The current second floor was built in the 9th year of Xianfeng. On either side of the main hall are one-bay side halls, constructed during the Yuan Dynasty.

　　Inside the hall stands a seated statue of Sakyamuni. Carved directly into the cliff, the statue is 20 meters tall and 6.7 meters wide, displaying grandeur and excellent preservation. The Buddha figure spans the full height of the hall; climbing wooden stairs to the top not only allows you to view the entire Buddha, but also offers a clear panorama of the entire Jishan County.

　　On both sides of the main hall are the Ten Kings Cave and the Sixteen Arhats Cave. These caves were manually excavated, measuring 9 meters deep and 3 meters wide. The central figure is a 1.55-meter-tall seated statue of Kṣitigarbha, flanked by two attendants each 1.23 meters tall. The Ten Kings statues, each 0.69 meters tall, stand vividly preserved on both sides of the cave — remarkable examples of Yuan Dynasty sculpture.

　　The Sixteen Arhats Cave houses sixteen clay arhat statues, also sculpted during the Yuan Dynasty.

　　Perched atop a high cliff, the Giant Buddha Temple exudes a majestic presence. The earthen giant Buddha and numerous other Buddha figures are extremely rare in North China and hold significant importance in the history of Chinese sculpture.

　　Jishan Foguo Temple is located on a high cliff about 1 kilometer northeast of the county town. Also known as "Qingliang Temple," it is commonly referred to as the "Giant Buddha Temple" due to the massive Buddha inside.

　　Originally built in the second year of the Huangtong era of the Jin Dynasty (1142 AD), it underwent multiple renovations and expansions in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Once a large complex, the temple featured a series of halls and numerous statues along stepped paths on both sides. Most buildings were destroyed in warfare. Currently, only the main hall, side halls, Ten Kings Cave, and Sixteen Arhats Cave survive. The main hall is a pavilion-style building housing a well-preserved 20-meter-tall, 6.7-meter-wide statue of Sakyamuni. The Buddha spans the height of the hall; climbing to the top via wooden stairs offers not only a full view of the Buddha but also a clear sight of the entire county landscape.

　　Among China’s great Buddha statues, although the famed Leshan and Qiangba Buddhas are notable, they are made of stone and bronze respectively. The Jishan Giant Buddha is unique, being sculpted from the earthen cliff, making it truly outstanding.

　　Located on high ground and built upon this foundation, the earthen giant Buddha appears even more grand and majestic. The Jishan Giant Buddha can rightly be called the world’s foremost earthen-carved giant Buddha.

　　Phone: 0359-5522446

　　Address: Jishan County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province