Temple Nanchan-si （南禅寺）is one of the three ancient wooden buildings from Tang Dynasty (618-907) that is still standing in China. It was built in year 782 during early period of Tang Dynasty. For a history of more than 1200 years, the wooden structure of main shrine hall though might be much repaired and restored, has retained its perfect original proportions and graceful design of Tang Dynasty. Nanchan-si was discovered in year 1932, by a team of architectural historians leading by the early 20th century prominent historians Liang-Sicheng and Lin-Weiyin （历史学家梁思成和林薇茵） after they found Temple Foguang-si.
Temple Nanchan-si stays 177 km from Wutaishan and 120 km from the other ancient temple Foguang-si （佛光寺）, and due to this unpopular remote location that was distanced away from the assemblage of temples in Wutaishan （五台山）, it escaped from the great persecution of Buddhism in Tang Dynasty in year 845. It was indeed a great blessing that it survives. The Grand Shrine Hall is the oldest wooden structure existing in China as well as in Asia.
The ornaments that curled towards each other at the main roof ridge are called Chi-wei （鸱尾 an Owl's tail) referring to a sea monster who was believed to be the son of The Dragon King, whose duty is to protect against fire.
Nanchan-si Temple has three main structures forming into a Siheyuan styled courtyard complex （四合院式）. Besides the grand hall retained its Tang style, The front gate Guanyin Hall, the East and West wings buildings are distinctly of Ming and Qing Design.
Nanchan-si covers only an area of about 3000 sq.ft but it houses many art relics and historical treasure that are beyond any value.
There are 17 Tang painted clay statues stationed around a huge image of Buddha Sakyamuni and a large figure of Bodhisattva Manjusri riding a lion at the corner inside the Grand Hall. The images, its expression, posture, and costume are vivid and lifelike, showing the superior standard of sculpting technology in Tang Dynasty. The skill and style are similar to those sculptures found in Dunhuang Mogoa grotto （敦煌莫高窟） (Strictly no photographing allowed)
The eaves and roof building structures of the ancient wooden shrine hall that exists more than 1200 years. According to architectural experts, prior to Tang Dynasties like in Wei or Sui period, building had steep garbled roofs while in Tang's style, building had a gently sloping roof.
I love the little brass bell hanged at each edge of the roof eaves.
The appreciation Stele inscribed with donators name and years of repair at Temple Nanchan-si.
The Guanyin Hall is behind the front entrance gate.
Since early 1961, Nanchan-si has been a national preserved site in China
The surrounding structures are mostly restored.
The dusty loess road that lead to the tranquil ancient temple Nanchan-si.
Nanchan-si Temple located at a small village deep inside Dongzhi West Street （东治西街）.
On the way to Nanchan-si, we visited the old residence of Warlord Yan-Sishan （军阀阎锡山） who retained control of Shanxi Province for 40 years, from Xinhai Revolution （辛亥革命）in 1911 to end of Chinese Civil War 1949.
In 1949, his arsenal in Taiyuan （太原） was the only factory in China that was able to sufficiently produce field artillery. Yen successfully kept Shanxi uninvolved in most major battles between rival warlords occurred within 1910-1920s
Taiyuan consequently flourished as the the center of Yan's comparatively progressive province and experienced extensive industrial development. The city has never been taken away from the hand of Yan by any invading army until conquered by Japan in 1937.
Japanese continued the development of Taiyuan in industries and resources during its 8 years occupancy. When Japan surrendered in year 1945, 10-15 thousand of Japanese troops chose to be under Yan's commands instead of going back home. Yan retained the services of those experienced Japanese technicians and professionals to run the complex of the industries that they had developed.
Yan-Xishan residence located in River-side Village （河边村）at the border of Wutai （五台县）and Ding-Xiang County （定襄县）, is a place for you to understand the late history of Shanxi and the political life of this Shanxi famous warlord. It is a great symbol architectural replica of Chinese ancient royal style building built in early 20th century. After Yan gained power in politics in 1920s, he spent millions of dollars using more than 14 years to expand and rebuild his original little courtyard home into a luxurious living complex with 800 rooms in 30 courtyards over a land area of nearly 62k sq. meter.
The Complex were occupied by Japanese soldiers in year 1937-1945 and much of the structures were damaged by them. Presently there remains only 18 courtyards with 575 rooms and some gardens assembled at its Lower and Upper courts.
Yan-xishang Residence was converted into a museum for the customs and folks of River-side village in year 1988. It is now a place not only to understand the political life of this past warlord but also at the same time learn the culture and customs of those days around this side of China.
Occupying 18000 sq.meter building area on its 38,000 sq. meter of land, the site of Yan-xishang residence has shrunk into half of the its original size, compared to the initial scheme.
Souvenir stalls along the lane in front of Yan-Xishan's residence.
The little cute souvenir stalls.
The beautiful Chinese ink-slab designed and produced by the local factory. Ink slab is an essential part of Chinese calligraphy and are lovely items people admire.
Ding-xiang produce one of the best melons in the nation. It was said that during the past, Emperor insisted to only have the melons from this place. There are so many kinds of Hulu melon in various size and color which we never seen before. Hulu represents longevity, like the old lady who is now perhaps in her age of 100 years old.
The route to Wutaishan.
Each town welcomes its guests with a beautifully decorated archway inscribed with popular phrases.
Xinzhou is another big city in Shanxi.
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