Shanhua
Temple, also called the South Temple, is the best preserved of temples
built in the Liao and Jin Dynasties.
Shanhua Temple was originally
built during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) but destroyed by war at the
end of the Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125). It
was rebuilt on a large scale during the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234).
Covering
an area of nearly 14, 000 square meters, Shanhua Temple is a good manifestation
of the traditional Chinese architectural philosophy. The temple has three
main buildings: the Gate, the Hall of the Three Saints and the Grand Hall.
The Grand Hall houses five gold-coated statues of Tathagata Buddha and
24 divine generals.
There is
a Five-Dragon Screen made from a colored glaze in the the temple.
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