Cixiang Temple

CHINA, Shanxi, Jinzhong

Cixiang means Benevolent Appearance. According to the records, the temple was constructed no later than the reign of Emperor Suzong (reigned 756–762) of the Tang dynasty. Near the end of the Song dynasty (960–1279), the temple was almost completely destroyed by war with only the main hall left standing. Between 1123 and 1137 during the Jin dynasty, the Lutai Pagoda was rebuilt and large-scale renovation was carried out. The temple was at its most prosperous between 1161 and 1196, whereas afterwards the temple was frequently damaged by war and neglected. The temple was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
The temple faces south and consists of two courtyards. The buildings along the central axis include the main temple gate, Lord Guan Shrine, and the main hall. Directly north of the main hall there is the Lutai Pagoda, while the bell and drum towers are located on either side of Lord Guan Shrine.
The five-by-one bay main temple gate has a single-eave flushed gable roof. Directly behind it there is the stage where Buddhist dramas were performed. The five-by-three bay main hall has a single-eave overhanging gable roof covered in clay tiles. The hall enshrines Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future from the Jin dynasty.
The octagonal, nine-story Lutai Pagoda is 48.2 m high. It is constructed from brick and is hollow inside. The first story was extended during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) and has 16 archways. The entrance is in the south, where there is a portico. The eaves on the second to seventh levels are highly decorated with corbeling and bracket sets, while the eighth and ninth levels do not have bracket sets. The walls at the cardinal points of each story have either arched doorways or windows. The base of the spire is decorated with carvings of plantain leaves, which support an inverted bowl. The finial no longer exists.