Longquan Temple in Taishan

Longquan Temple is located 5km north of Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. The temple was built in the Song Dynasty, and was originally General Yang Ye’s ancestral temple. The most artistic highlights of the temple are three things: the white marble archway, the screen wall and the Pu Ji stupa. Reputed for its delicate carvings, the exquisitely executed marble archway is an excellent example of temple art. It is said that the memorial archway was carved by 100 people and worked over 6 years. There are well-designed sculptures that makes the temple unique and magnificent. The stupa is preserved well with its original style. On each of the four sides of the stupa there is a niche containing a Maitreya image. It is said that the stupa was dedicated to monk Puji by local monks for his contribution to Mt. Wutai. The screen wall, which is a marble carving among a brick wall, is a mimic sculpture of Wutai mountain scenery.