Shuanglin Temple——The Treasure House of Oriental Painted Sculptures

Jan. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- The Shuanglin Temple is a large Buddhist temple, listed as part of World Heritage site of Pingyao, Shanxi province. The temple is located in the countryside about 7 km southwest of Pingyao ancient town. It was originally found in the 6th century while the present buildings could be dated back to Ming & Qing dynasty. What make the temple famed to the world are the large collections of over 2,000 decorated clay statues dating from 12th -19th century which make the temple reputed as "The Treasure House of Oriental Painted Sculptures"

The name of Shuanglin implied the Sakyamuni who entered nirvana under two trees. Shuang means two or double while Lin means forest.

The whole temple complex covers an area of 15,000 square meters. The east of the grounds contains Buddhist courtyards and a sutra room, which still hasn't been completely explored. In the west there is temple group, which is a three-row courtyard made up of ten different halls. The Tang Dynasty locust trees, Song Dynasty stele, Ming Dynasty bells, and the mural paintings enhance one another's beauty and together form a fabulous blend of past cultures and beauty.

The temple itself is now regarded as an important spot for study and appreciation the historical Chinese art. And the precious colorful sculptures made of painted clay are circled by wooden framework. There are many students from colleges, or artists even drawing or taking photos by spending days inside the temple.
For more info about Shuanglin Temple, please visit http://www.easytourchina.com/tour-v122-2-day-pingyao-tour