Nanchan Temple

Nanchan Temple is a wooden structure in Shanxi featuring a single-eaved roof with gray tiles, measuring three bays wide and three bays deep in a square layout. The building displays traditional Chinese design with careful proportions and solid construction techniques.

Rebuilt in 782 during the Tang Dynasty, this temple stands as the oldest surviving wooden structure from that era in China. The building has endured for over a thousand years and represents a key example of ancient Chinese construction methods.

The main hall displays 17 Buddhist statues from the Tang Dynasty, arranged around a central Buddha figure that creates a sense of balance and spiritual order.

The temple sits about 22 kilometers southwest of Wutai County and is relatively straightforward to reach. Bring sturdy shoes, as the pathways around the building can be uneven in places.

The interior is remarkable for its column-free design, with two long beams spanning the entire north-south length. This engineering solution was extraordinary for its time and demonstrates sophisticated knowledge of load-bearing and timber construction.