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- Location: Wutai County, Shanxi Province

Situated in Lijia Village, 22 km southwest of Wutai County of Shanxi Province, the main hall of Nanchan Temple (南禪寺大殿) was built in the third year of Jianzhong Reign (782 AD), and it is the oldest wooden structure in China. The structure is symmetrically laid out, which is a typical structural feature of the Tang Dynasty.

There are 17 clay Buddhist sculptures in the hall. The main statue is Sakyamuni sitting cross-legged in Sumeru. The Sakyamuni statue is nearly 4 meters tall and still retains the unique style and features typical of Tang statues. The carved stone pagoda in the main hall of Nanchan Temple is only 51 centimeters tall. Judging by the style of its design, it dates from the mid-Tang Dynasty, when the temple hall was built.

Travel Tips:

1. No photography is allowed inside the hall;

2. Wutai Mountain International Tourist Month is held annually held from July 25th to August 25th, making this an ideal time to visit.

- Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

- Admission: 10 yuan

- Tel: +86-350-6565113

- How to get there: take a bus from Datong or Taiyuan to Wutai County and then take a taxi, which should cost about 20 yuan;