Longxing Temple

Longxing Temple, also known as the Great Buddha Temple, is located in Zhengding County of Shijiazhuang. Founded during the Sui Dynasty in 586 AD, this sprawling temple complex covers an area of 82,500 square meters and represents one of the most complete and well-preserved Song Dynasty Buddhist temple complexes in China. The temple is renowned for its magnificent architecture, exquisite Buddhist statues, and rich historical significance. It served as an important center for Buddhist worship and study throughout Chinese history, particularly during the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. The temple complex features numerous halls, pavilions, and towers arranged along a central axis, showcasing traditional Chinese temple architecture at its finest. The most famous attraction is the 21.3-meter tall bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, housed in the Dabei Pavilion. This thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Guanyin is considered one of the most impressive Buddhist sculptures in China. The temple also contains valuable collections of stone steles, ancient scriptures, and Buddhist artifacts that provide insights into the development of Buddhism in northern China.