Located on Xing Shan Temple West Street in the Xiao Zhai commercial area, Da Xing Shan Temple was originally established during the Western Jin Dynasty, over 1,600 years ago. Initially named “Zun Shan Temple,” it is one of the oldest surviving Buddhist temples in Xi’an. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, the temple was expanded and renamed “Da Xing Shan Temple” because it was situated in the Jing Shan neighborhood of the capital city, Da Xing.
In the bustling and vibrant ancient capital of Xi’an, Da Xing Shan Temple stands surrounded by ancient cypress trees, providing a serene and solemn atmosphere.
During the Sui and Tang dynasties, Buddhism flourished in Chang’an (modern Xi’an). Monks who came from India for missionary work and studies translated Buddhist scriptures and taught esoteric Buddhism at the temple. During the Kaihuang period of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Indian monk Na Lian Ti Li Ye and others visited Chang’an and translated 59 Buddhist scriptures into 278 volumes. From the fourth to the eighth year of Emperor Xuanzong’s Kaiyuan era (716–720 AD), Indian monks Shen Wu Wei, Jin Gang Zhi, and Bu Kong, known as the “Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan,” came to the temple to teach esoteric Buddhism. As a result, Da Xing Shan Temple became one of the three major translation centers in Chang’an and is considered a significant site in the history of Sino-Indian cultural exchange.
Travel Information about Da Xing Shan Temple
Tickets and Opening Hours
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
How to Get There
Location: 55 West Xing Shan Temple Street, Xiao Zhai, Yanta District, Xi’an.
Subway: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Xiao Zhai Station.
Attraction Rating
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Da Xing Shan Temple
Maitreya Hall (Heavenly Kings Hall)
The Heavenly Kings Hall, located on the central north-south axis behind the main gate, is the first hall in the temple complex. The hall houses a prominent statue of the Laughing Maitreya Buddha, clad in Ming Dynasty’s silk and gold. The plaque is inscribed by Zhao Puchu.
Inside, the Laughing Maitreya Buddha, known for his jovial appearance and large belly, is a representation of the Five Dynasties period monk Qi Ci. According to legend, this monk was an incarnation of Maitreya, and the statue was created to honor him.
On either side of the hall are the Four Heavenly Kings:
- South: The King of the South, also known as the King of Growth, depicted in green, holding a sword, and responsible for wind.
- East: The King of the East, also known as the King of the Nation, depicted in white, holding a pipa (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), and responsible for adjustment.
- North: The King of the North, also known as the King of the Rain, depicted in green, holding an umbrella, and responsible for rain.
- West: The King of the West, also known as the King of Eyes, depicted in red, holding a snake, and responsible for obedience.
Behind the Maitreya Buddha statue is the guardian deity of Buddhist temples, Wei Tuo. The current statue is a wooden carving from the Ming Dynasty. Wei Tuo is one of the most esteemed deities among the Twenty Heavenly Gods, resembling an ancient Chinese general in appearance. He wears a helmet, golden armor, and holds a Vajra, exuding a commanding presence.
Related Details:
Wei Tuo Bodhisattva is typically depicted in two distinct postures:
- Standing with Both Hands Joined: In this posture, Wei Tuo stands upright with his hands pressed together and a Vajra staff held horizontally across his wrists. This pose indicates that the temple is a welcoming place for monks from all directions and serves as a hospitable environment for visitors.
- Left Hand Holding the Vajra Staff and Right Hand on the Hip: Here, Wei Tuo’s left hand holds the Vajra staff, which rests on the ground, while his right hand is placed on his hip and his left foot is slightly advanced. This stance signifies that the temple does not accommodate resident monks, marking it as a place primarily for worship and offering, rather than lodging.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the main building of Da Xing Shan Temple, located along the central axis of the temple’s second courtyard. The hall is grand and majestic in scale. Inside, it houses the revered Five Great Buddhas: Vairocana Buddha at the center, Acalanatha Buddha to the east, Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddha to the south, Amitābha Buddha to the west, and Akṣobhya Buddha to the north.
On either side of the hall, there are stone steles with inscriptions of sacred texts, such as the “Complete Dharma Treasury of the Heart Seal of All Tathāgatas,” intricately carved in blue stone. The hall also features Kṣitigarbha Hall to the east and west, along with vivid group sculptures of the underworld, depicting the afterlife in lifelike and exquisite detail.
Bell and Drum Towers
Similar to the famous Bell and Drum Towers in Xi’an, Da Xing Shan Temple also features its own Bell and Drum Towers. Located on either side of the Heavenly King Hall, these towers are the only remaining ancient buildings in the temple and are now protected as provincial-level cultural heritage sites in Shaanxi. Inside the Drum Tower is a large drum with a diameter of 1.5 meters, produced under the supervision of the temple monks. This drum is a precious artifact and a testament to the temple’s long history.
Puxian Hall
Puxian Hall houses a golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, flanked by statues of the Arhats. The hall is surrounded by prayer wheels featuring Vajrayana Buddhist characteristics. To the east is the Dining Hall and the Manjushri Hall, which contains a golden statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva and statues of the Arhats. In the central courtyard behind the hall stands a bronze statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, placed on a white marble platform. This kindly and solemn statue was a gift from the Japanese Shingon Buddhism community, represented by Master Kukai’s followers, to honor the memory of their ancestral temple and to promote Sino-Japanese friendship.
Guanyin Hall
Beyond the ruins of the Tang Dynasty’s Dharma Wheel Hall stands the grand and majestic Guanyin Hall. With its intricately carved beams, painted rafters, and soaring eaves, the hall combines a sense of ancient simplicity with ornate splendor. The wide front platform is paved with square bricks and bordered by exquisitely carved stone railings. Inside the hall, the central lotus platform supports a cypress wood statue of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, adorned with red gold decorations. On the walls of the Western Zen Hall, a large mirror frame contains the “Biographies of the Three Great Masters of the Kaiyuan Era,” a valuable resource for studying the history of Daxingshan Temple. On either side of the Guanyin Hall, there are the largest prayer wheels found in the northwest region, adding to the hall’s unique and revered status.