Wannian Temple, Buddhist temple at Mount Emei, Sichuan, China
Wannian Temple is a Buddhist sanctuary on Mount Emei featuring a distinctive brick hall without wooden support beams inside its walls. The structure rises 17 meters high and contains a large bronze statue of religious significance.
The sanctuary was founded in the late 4th century and received its present name centuries later as a mark of imperial recognition. This renaming became a turning point in its history as a significant Buddhist destination.
The temple's name reflects an imperial gesture honoring a royal family member, showing how the site held significance beyond religious practice. This connection reveals how sacred spaces served as venues for dynastic recognition and respect.
The temple sits at a higher elevation on the mountain and is best reached via shuttle buses from the visitor service. Access is well organized, though the location at roughly 1000 meters altitude means the climate is cooler and more moist than lower elevations.
The main hall was built entirely from brick and uses a vaulted shape that allows it to stand without internal wooden supports. The dome features four stone figures holding ancient Chinese musical instruments, representing a rare engineering solution of its era.
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