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Temple Tang Dynasty π World Heritage Site
Foguang Temple
π Introduction
Foguang Temple is located on Mount Foguang in Doucun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City. It is China's oldest and best-preserved Tang Dynasty wooden structure. The East Main Hall, built in 857 AD, is the exemplar of surviving Tang Dynasty wooden architecture, hailed by architect Liang Sicheng as 'China's First National Treasure'.
π Historical Background
Foguang Temple was founded during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei and flourished during the Tang Dynasty. It was destroyed during the Huichang Buddhist persecution of 845 AD and rebuilt in 857 AD. In 1937, renowned architects Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovered this temple, opening an important chapter in Chinese architectural history.