Yuanling Longxing Temple

　　    Longxing Temple is situated at the southern foot of HuXi Mountain to the west of Yuanling County in central China’s Hunan Province. It is a Buddhist temple complex that retains architectural styles from the Song Dynasty (960–1279 A.D.) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 A.D.), and is also the oldest existing wooden structure complex in Hunan Province.

　　    Originally built in the second year of the Zhenguan era during the Tang Dynasty (628 A.D.), the temple has undergone multiple renovations over the centuries. Covering an area of about 20,000 square meters, it boasts a majestic presence and currently features more than 10 structures including the Mountain Gate, the Mahavira Hall, and the Guanyin Pavilion. The Mahavira Hall is the main building of the temple, featuring a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof. The central bay of the hall is spacious, with eight nanmu (Phoebe nanmu) inner columns each with a diameter of over 80 centimeters. Between the column bases and the foundation stones are embedded drum-shaped wooden branches, and the stone bases are shaped like inverted lotuses. The front of the hall also hangs a plaque inscribed with the words “眼前佛国” (Buddha’s Realm Before One’s Eyes) by Dong Qichang, a calligrapher from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 A.D.). In addition, the temple preserves many historical relics left by notable figures throughout various dynasties.

　　    Longxing Temple provides valuable physical materials for the study of ancient Chinese architecture, culture, and more. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)