Shuanglin Temple



Located in the Qiaotou Village about six kilometers to Pingyao, the Shuanglin Temple is reputed to be the
ancient painted sculptures museum.

The temple houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures reflecting the exquisite skills of the artisans of
the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. In recognition of the sublime beauty of the painted figures of
Shuanglin Temple, UNESCO included the temple on its annual World Heritage List for 1997, describing
the temple and its works of art as "a truly unique treasure".  

Originally, the Shuanglin Temple was called the Zhongdu Temple but it was renamed Shuanglin during
the Song Dynasty (960-1127). In Chinese, Shuang means two or double, and Lin, forest. The temple got its name from a Buddhist story. According
to the Buddhist sutra, Sakyamuni who was the founder of Buddhism, entered nirvana under two trees; Hence, its name Shuanglin.

The entire temple complex is south-oriented, and covers an area of 15,000 square kilometers. Courtyards and a sutra room are located at the
eastern end of the temple complex, while at the western end is a group of temple buildings made up of 10 different halls, interspersed with
courtyards in which grow locust trees that were planted during the Tang Dynasty. Inside the temple halls are a number of mural paintings dating
from the Ming Dynasty, as well as worshipping bells. There are also a number of steles dating from the Song Dynasty.

Standing in front of the Heavenly Kings' Hall, tourists will see the sculptures of the four Heavenly Kings below the eaves of the veranda, which look
mighty and magnificent. Below the eaves of the hall hangs a plaque with the three characters 'Tian', 'Zhu' and 'Sheng' written on it. In the Heavenly
Kings' Hall, the sculpture of Maitreya is worshiped with two Bodhisattvas attending on his left and right.

At present, there are 1,000 sculptures hanging on the walls and girders of the Thousand-Buddha Hall and
Bodhisattva Hall, describing various Buddhist stories. The color-sculptured figures - each at a height of about 40
centimeters - are represented wearing ornate clothing in various postures. Frescos from the Ming Dynasty themed
paying homage to Buddha cover the four walls. Buddhist figures can be found in every hall, including the Fumu Hall,
the Arhat Hall and the Underground Treasure Hall.