Yong’an Temple

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong

Yong’an means Eternal Stability. This temple was built during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234) but was later destroyed by war. It was rebuilt in the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and renovated during subsequent dynasties. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
Facing south, the temple originally consisted of three courtyards, but the back courtyard no longer exists. The front courtyard houses the main temple gate, Heavenly King Hall, subsidiary buildings, and two side halls. The central courtyard consists of side halls, the Dharma Transmission Hall, and subsidiary buildings. Apart from the Dharma Transmission Hall, which retains its original structure built in 1315 during the Yuan dynasty, the rest of the buildings are from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).
The five-by-three bay Dharma Transmission Hall has a single-eave hip roof which is covered in yellowish-blue glazed tiles. Latticed folding screen doors occupy the central bay and the adjoining bays. A caisson ceiling can be found inside with representations of heavenly palaces surrounding the ceiling. None of the statues inside are extant but the walls are still decorated with murals depicting figures participating in the Water and Land Dharma service. The murals occupy almost 170 sq m with an estimated 882 figures in different postures and painted in a lively manner. Judging from the material used and the style of the figures, they were probably created during the Ming dynasty.