Fengguo Temple

Fengguo Temple is a Buddhist temple complex in Yi County covering roughly 60,000 square meters (645,800 sq ft). At its center stands the monumental Mahavira Hall, elevated on a platform and dominating the entire compound.

The temple was founded in 1020 during the Liao Dynasty and has undergone continuous maintenance and restoration over the centuries. Major reconstruction followed the earthquake in 1290, with additional significant repair work carried out across subsequent periods.

The main hall displays seven large Buddha statues, each positioned in separate bays alongside attendant bodhisattvas and guardian deities. These figures represent different periods of creation and shape how visitors experience the sacred space.

The complex is organized around its main hall with supporting structures that make navigation straightforward. Visitors should allow time to explore the different areas and observe the architectural details throughout the site.

The temple houses an exceptional collection of painted clay Buddha sculptures that experts regard as the oldest and most extensive of their kind in the world. This collection represents a rare surviving example of ancient Buddhist artistic traditions.