Nanshan Temple

CHINA, Guangxi, Guigang

Nanshan means South Mountain. It is located inside Lion Mountain Cave and has a unique environment made from limestone. It was built in 989 during the Northern Song dynasty, and was closely associated with a number of emperors during the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties. Emperor Wenzhong (reigned 1328–1332) of the Yuan dynasty proclaimed it to be a true representation of the Southern lineage of Chan Buddhism.
Most of the temple was built within a cave. The principal structures include the main temple gate, Vajra Hall, Scenic Pavilion, and the Water Pavilion. The Vajra Hall is also called the Octagonal Pavilion and contains statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. Behind the hall there is a large cave, which is 30 m high and 35 m wide. The stalactites within this cave are carved into various shapes, such as drapery, lotus platforms, and Buddha statues. Along the four sides of the cave there are gilded statues of the Eighteen Arhats, while on the cave walls there are more than 30 stone Buddha images, one of which is a 2.7 m high Maitreya Buddha.
The temple has a 2 m high iron bell from 1025 during the Northern Song dynasty. It houses steles from the Song to the Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.