Xingjiao Temple

Welcome to Xingjiao Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant spiritual monuments in Chinese history. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of the Shaoling Plateau south of Xi'an, this temple stands as a…

Your journey begins at the original gate of Xingjiao Temple, a structure that reflects the 'Qing Dynasty' architectural style of its latest restoration. Above the central gate, you will see five golden Chinese characters written…

The Mahavira Hall is the most important devotional building in Xingjiao Temple, sitting directly on the central axis. Inside, the hall houses statues of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, and his disciples, creating a focal point…

Standing before you is the central and most significant structure of the complex: the Xuanzang Pagoda. Built in 669 AD to store the 'sarira' (relics) of the master, this five-story brick pagoda reaches a height of 21 meters. …

To the side of Xuanzang's central monument stands the Kuiji Pagoda, built in 682 AD to house the relics of his foremost disciple. Kuiji was a 'noble man' and a brilliant scholar who played a key role as the 'right-hand man' to…

The third structure in the pagoda triad is the Yuance Pagoda, dedicated to another of Xuanzang's great disciples. Yuance was a 'descendant of the king of Silla' on the Korean peninsula, making him a royal immigrant who traveled…

Located at the northern edge of the complex is the Reclining Buddha Hall, a serene space that represents the final moments of Shakyamuni Buddha as he enters 'Parinirvana' or the state of ultimate peace. The hall houses a…

As we conclude our tour of Xingjiao Temple, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible 'Journey to the West' and the lasting legacy of the monk Xuanzang. We have stood before the three pagodas that house the relics of the…