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Shuanglin Temple
| Entrance Fee | CNY 35 |
| Opening Hours | Mar. – Nov.: 8:00 – 18:00 Dec. – Feb.: 8:00 – 17:30 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit | 1 – 2h |
Situated in Qiaotou Village approximately six kilometers from Pingyao Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple is renowned as an “ancient painted sculptures museum,” boasting a collection of over 2,000 colorful sculptures that showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Recognized for its cultural significance, Shuanglin Temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an important cultural site of Pingyao City in 1997.
Originally named Zhongdu Temple, Shuanglin Temple acquired its current name during the Song Dynasty (960-1127). The name “Shuanglin” translates to “double forest” in Chinese, derived from a Buddhist story wherein Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, attained nirvana under two trees.
With a history dating back to its reconstruction in 571, Shuanglin Temple boasts a legacy spanning over 1,400 years. The temple complex comprises ten large and small halls, including the Heavenly Kings’ Hall, the Arhats’ Hall, the Mahavira Hall (Da Xiong Bao Dian), the One-Thousand Buddha Hall, the Sakyamuni Hall, the Bodhisattva Hall, the Ti-tsang Bodhisattva Hall, the Guan Yu’s Hall, and two additional halls.
