The Jin Shrine at the foot of the Xuanweng Mountain, was once called the Old Shrine of King Jin, the king-respected Temple. It was built over 1,500 years ago to commemorate Ji Yu, the second son of King Wu who was the second king of the West Zhou Dynasty. The Shrine was enlisted as one of the most important historical relics under special protection of the State.
The ancient group structures of the Shrine fall into three parts: north, south and middle. The middle, which is regarded as the main portion, has a high artistic value starting from the Water Mirror Platform and across respectively, the Immortal-gathering Bridge, the Jinren (Gold Figure) Platform, Duiyue Mill, the Sacrificial Hall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Yuzhao Feiliang (a flying bridge over a stream with fishes) to the Hall of Goddess. The northern part rises from Weichang Palace to Dongyue (East Mountain) Temple, the Temple for Guangong, Sanqing Temple, Baohan Pavilion in the period of Emperor Zhenguan, the Temple of Shuyu (another name for Ji Yu), Chaoyang (Facing the Sun) Cave, Daifeng Xuan (a small room or veranda with windows), Santai Pavilion and Reading Platform, The Luzu Temple, which were characterized by layers upon layers of towers and high pavilions rising and falling naturally by the terrain, picturesquely in disorder.
The southern portion begins with Shengying Tower and follows by White Swan Pavilion, Three Gods Shrine, the Amusement Pavilion, the Long-life Spring Pavilion, the Pavilion of the Mother of Water and the Shrine of Gongshuzi. With platforms and pavilions standing tall and slow flowing springs, it appears an elegant landscape of the Southern China gardens. In the south also stands a stupa. The Hall of the Goddess is the most famous scene in the Shrine. The Hall was first built in the Song Dynasty. The forty-three painted clay figures of maids were modeled vividly with natural miens and various expressions.
The long-life Spring is the source of Jin River. It runs without stopping and always ramains a constant temperature of 17 Celcius. It is so clear you can see the bottom.. Yuzhao Feiliang (a flying bridge over a stream with fishes) was designed specially and elegantly. It is a unique example of the existing ancient bridges at home. On the right side of the Hall of Goddess there lies a slanted cypress of the Zhou Dynasty, a very long time ago. The cypress of Zhou Dynasty, the long-life spring and the painted clay figures of maids are the three unique treasures of Jin Shrine.
Ticket: 40 yuan (US$4.8)
Open Time: 7:30-18:30
Transportation: Bus 8 (2 yuan) at Taiyuan railway station.
(china.org.cn March 31, 2003)
|
