Qinxian Dayun Chan Temple

　　Located in Guocun Village, Guozhen Town, 13 kilometers west of Qinxian County, the temple is nestled among residential homes and trees. Historical records, including inscriptions and the Qinzhou Annals, indicate that it was originally built during the Taihe era (477–499) of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Northern Song Dynasty, and in 1180 (the 12th year of the Dading reign of the Jin Dynasty), a vacant monastery plaque was purchased and inscribed with the name “Dayun Chan Temple.” It was officially sanctioned by an imperial decree in 1212 (the first year of the Chongqing reign of the Jin Dynasty). The temple underwent multiple renovations during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

　　The temple faces south and consists of two courtyards. Along the central axis are the mountain gate, front hall, and rear hall, flanked by auxiliary structures such as wing halls, side halls, and corridors. Today, only the main structures—the front hall and rear hall—remain. The front hall, also called the middle hall, is three bays wide and two bays deep, with a four-rafter roof and a single-eave gable-and-hip roof. Its beams are simple, the brackets delicate, and the lattice windows, lintels, and spandrels elaborately carved, reflecting the style of the Qing Dynasty renovations. The rear hall is the most prominent surviving structure in the temple complex. It is three bays wide and deep, built on a high platform, with a square floor plan, a six-rafter roof, and a single-eave gable-and-hip roof. Its stone column bases are carved with clear and finely detailed lotus petals. The corner columns have pronounced slanting angles, and the four inner columns have gently curved capitals. The bracket sets on the column tops are of the five-component type with single ang and single downward ang, featuring double brackets and heart-matched construction. The beams and brackets are made of sturdy, thick materials, employing simple and refined carpentry techniques. The inner and outer walls are lined with 2.5 cm thick moisture-proof panels, a rare feature elsewhere. The brickwork beneath the eaves is exquisitely fine, with mortar joints nearly invisible.

　　The central area of the hall’s upper section features a ceiling, added during later renovations in the Ming or Qing Dynasty. The tops of the east and west walls retain over 40 square meters of murals, which are intricately patterned and elegantly styled but have been largely obscured by recent whitewash. The roof has a gentle slope, deep eaves that curve slightly upward, creating a soft and graceful aesthetic. The glazed ridge ornaments, including the chi dragons and swallowing beast heads, along with the roof ornaments, are richly colored and finely crafted. The gable decorations, suspended fish motifs, and decorative grass elements are appropriately placed. In front of the hall stand two steles—one documenting the Jin Dynasty’s 1212 renovation and the other an imperial plaque bestowing the temple’s name—recording details of the reconstruction and official naming. Qinxian Dayun Chan Temple is listed as part of the fifth group of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites. Additionally, the village features numerous well-preserved, diverse, and beautifully designed ancient residences, worthy of appreciation.

　　Qinghe Temple is located within a school east of Dayun Chan Temple. Established during the Yuandade era, it shares the same protected status as Dayun Chan Temple. The front hall was destroyed in a fire last year, but remnants of extensive Taoist murals can still be seen amid the ruins. The murals feature fluid lines, lifelike figures, and the use of raised gold powder technique, comparable to those found in Yongle Palace and Qinglong Temple—though sadly exposed to sun and rain, they may not survive much longer. The rear hall is five bays wide, six rafters deep, with a single-eave gable-and-hip roof. Its front eave brackets are adorned with carvings of auspicious animals. The interior also contains large-scale murals, well preserved.

　　Contact number: 0356-2057555

　　Address: Guocun Village, Guozhen Town, 13 kilometers west of Qinxian County

　　Transportation: Take a long-distance bus from Changzhi to Qinxian County, then take a taxi from Qinxian County Bus Station to the temple