Daxiangguo Temple, Buddhist temple in central Kaifeng, China
Daxiangguo Temple is a Buddhist temple complex in Kaifeng featuring multiple interconnected halls and buildings arranged in traditional layout. The main structures include the Mahavira Hall with its Buddha statues and an ornate octagonal pavilion displaying a carved wooden Guanyin figure.
The temple was originally built as a residential structure during the Warring States period before being converted to religious use. It grew significantly during the Northern Song Dynasty when it became an important Buddhist center with numerous halls and expanded facilities.
The temple serves as a working center for Buddhist practice, where visitors can observe monks conducting daily prayers and ceremonies. The spaces are arranged following traditional Chinese Buddhist layout, with each hall dedicated to different aspects of devotion.
Visitors should allow time to walk through the different halls and courtyards at a leisurely pace to appreciate the details. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the grounds have uneven paving and several steps between levels.
Inside the temple stands a thousand-armed Guanyin statue carved from a single tree trunk, an enormous feat of woodcarving that took decades to complete. This rare sculpture represents some of the most skilled craftsmanship found anywhere in the temple complex.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
