Dayun Temple

CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi

Dayun means Great Cloud. According to the records it had once been the administrative office of Nieshi county during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). It is not known when it became a temple but records show that it was repaired in 565 during the Northern Qi dynasty, and that it was renamed to its current name in 1064 during the Northern Song dynasty. Repairs and renovations were carried out in later dynasties. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
Facing south and covering 7,900 sq m, the main buildings include the Avalokitesvara Hall and Great Hero Hall, with Hall of the Eighteen Arhats, and Yama Hall as side halls. Apart from the Great Hero Hall, which was built in the Jin dynasty (1115–1234), all other buildings were constructed during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.
The five-by-three bay Great Hero Hall has a single-eave overhanging gable roof. All but three columns have been removed from the interior and it has a simple framework of beams. Although it was renovated during the Qing dynasty, it has retained its Jin dynasty architectural features. On the two sides of the Great Hero Hall there are the Sangharama Shrine and Patriarch Shrine.