Shanxi Travel Guide
Jinci Temple is the most of all the historical relics in Taiyuan It was built near the source of the Jinshui River in memory of Jiyu, the second son of the Emperor Zhouwu of the Zhou Dynasty. The columns decorated with dragons in front the Goddess Hall and the Song-dynasty clay statues and murals housed in the hall are priceless state treasures.
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| Jinci Temple, Taiyuan |
There are also relics of a series of later dynasties, including a stone bridge and iron warriors of Song Dynasty, a tablet with the inscription of Li Shimin, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the ancient spring which forms part of the source of Jinshui River, and the aged trees of Zhou and Tang Dynasties.
After centuries of restoration and additions, Jinci Temple at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province is a garden and architectural complex that was granted national protection by the State Council in 1961 and designated an AAAA scenic area by the State Tourism Administration at January 2001.
The temple is situated 25 km in the southwest of Taiyuan City. It is also known as the 'Holy Mother Temple' built in 'Beiwei' dynasty for the mother of 'Emperor Tang Shuyu' , the founder of 'State Jin' The temple rates as the biggest royal one nationally and can be regarded as dazzling pearl symbolizing Chinese culture. Inside the temple, stand densely halls of magnificence with bundlefull of relics, to name, they are the 'Holy Mother Hall', 'Fish Pond with Plying Beam' , colred sculptures ofmaidens of Song dynasty, stale with calligraphy by emporer of Tang dynasty, ' cypress planted in Zhou dynasty' , pagodatree planted in Tang dynasty, 'Everlasting Spring' , 'Tangshu Temple' , 'Xiandian Hall' , 'Golden Figure Platform' 'Luxian Ge Cabin' 'Chaoyang Cave' all identically characterized telling many a beautiful story. Besides, there are the 'Jinxi College' and the 'Wang's Temple'.
