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The Baoguang (Divine Light) Temple is 18
kilometers north of Chengdu, and is supposed to have been built as early
as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). It once was named "Dashi Temple"
(Big Stone Temple) during the Tang Dynasty. In 889, the emperor of the
Tang Dynasty rebuilt the temple and renamed it "Baoguang Temple". It is
the best-preserved Buddhist temple of Sichuan.
Covering an area of more than 90,000 square meters, the whole complex
now consists of one pagoda, six halls and sixteen courtyards. Its major
structures are built with some 400 stone pillars and decorated with figurines
of birds and animals on their eaves, and carvings of flowers and plumes
on their doors and windows.
The Sheli Pagoda (Buddhist Relics Pagoda) was built in
the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda is 30 meters high with 13 floors. On each
floor, there are 12 Buddhas on each of the four sides. The golden roof
is illuminated by the sunbeams, showing the extraordinary loftiness of
the whole structure.
The predecessor of the pagoda is a wooden pagoda built in the Eastern
Han Dynasty. It was said that during the Huangchao Rebellion of the Tang
Dynasty, Emperor Xizong fled from Chang'an (what is now Xian) and hid
in this temple. One night, he accidentally found there was something shining
under the pagoda. The emperor then ordered that the relics be excavated
and the pagoda be rebuilt and named Sheli Pagoda.
The pagoda is not symmetrical; the upper eight levels are set slightly
off center and twisted relative to the lower part of the tower. Remarkably
enough, the Pagoda appears visible tilted from which ever direction you
view it.
The Arhat Hall was built in 1849 during the Qing Dynasty. The hall contains
500; two-meter-high clay figurines representing Buddhist saints and disciples.
Realistically sculptured, these arhats are different with regards to facial
expressions, gestures and costumes and are reputed as one of the best-preserved
sculpture groups of the Qing Dynasty.
Among these arhats, there are also two earthlings - Emperors Kangxi and
Qianlong. They're distinguishable by their royal costumes, beards, boots
and capes. One of the impostors, Kangxi, is shown with a pockmarked face.
Admission Fee: RMB 5
Opening Hours: 09:00 to 16:50
Recommended Time for a Visit: One hour
Bus Route: Take buses at railway station to Xindu.
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