Kaiyuan Temple, Buddhist temple in Zhengding, China
Kaiyuan Temple is a Buddhist sanctuary in Zhengding featuring a bell tower and the Xumi Pagoda, a nine-tiered structure with carved stone doorways and detailed figures at its base. The remaining elements of this complex reveal how religious buildings in eastern China were designed and decorated centuries ago.
The temple was founded in 540 CE and survived many centuries until 1966, when damage occurred during the Cultural Revolution. Only selected structures remain today as evidence of its long past.
The grounds hold China's largest stone bixi, a creature from mythology with features of a tortoise and dragon, unearthed in 2000 from a street in Zhengding. This carving shows the skill of artisans who worked at this location over many centuries.
The temple sits on Yanzhao Nandajie Street and is easily reached on foot. Plan time to examine the carved details of the remaining structures and observe how the different elements of the complex fit together.
The base of the Xumi Pagoda dates from 636 CE and contains an accessible shrine inside. The upper levels of the pagoda remain closed to visitors, so only the lower section can be explored directly.
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