Lingyan Temple, Buddhist temple in Changqing District, China.
Lingyan Temple is a large Buddhist complex in Changqing District of Jinan, Shandong Province, comprising multiple halls, pagodas, and courtyards filled with statuary. The site contains over 40 wooden structures that together form an extensive network of religious buildings.
The temple was founded in 357-358 under Fu Jian of the Former Qin state and flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties. These periods shaped the complex into one of northern China's major Buddhist centers.
The Thousand Buddha Hall displays life-size painted clay statues of lohans from the Song Dynasty alongside a bronze Buddha statue from the Ming Dynasty. These sculptures show how different eras expressed their devotion through distinct artistic styles and materials.
The complex spreads across a large area, so plan for enough time to see the main buildings and wear comfortable shoes for walking. It helps to orient yourself with a map or guide to locate the different halls and their distinctive features.
The site holds 167 stone stupas from the Tang Dynasty, each with distinct architectural designs, sizes, and decorative details. This variety of styles makes the cemetery a rare collection showing how burial traditions evolved over time.
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