【Shanxi's Cultural Landscape】Architectural Splendors (Route 3)

开化寺——宋代壁画之珍宝

Kaihua Temple — A Treasure of Song Dynasty Murals

位置：位于晋城市高平市陈区镇舍利山腰。

Location: On the hillside of Sheli Mountain, Chenqu Town, Gaoping City, Jincheng City.

交通：从铁佛寺出发，沿乡村公路向北行驶约10公里即达。全程约15公里，车程约25分钟。

Driving directions: From Tiefo Temple, drive north on rural roads for about 10 km. Approximately 15 km, about 25 minutes.

开化寺创建于北齐武平二年（571年），原名清凉寺，北宋改名为开化寺。寺院坐北朝南，三进院落，现存大雄宝殿为宋代建筑，东隅观音阁为金代遗构。

Kaihua Temple was first built in 571 AD during the Northern Qi Dynasty. Originally named Qingliang Temple, it was renamed Kaihua Temple in the Northern Song Dynasty. The existing Mahavira Hall is a Song structure, while the Guanyin Pavilion to the east is a Jin relic.

大雄宝殿内保存有北宋元祐七年（1092年）至绍圣三年（1096年）绘制的壁画，面积达88.2平方米，是中国宋代壁画中面积较大、保存较好的珍品。

The Mahavira Hall preserves murals painted from 1092 to 1096 AD, covering 88.2 square meters. These are among the largest and best-preserved Song Dynasty murals in China.

壁画构图严谨，人物繁而不乱，线条以铁线描为主，刚劲有力，设色以石绿、朱砂为主，历经千年依然鲜艳。

The murals feature rigorous composition, complex but orderly figures, iron-wire line drawings, and colors dominated by malachite green and cinnabar — still vivid after a thousand years.

大云院——五代壁画的孤例

Dayun Temple — The Lone Example of Five Dynasties Murals

位置：位于长治市平顺县实会村后山上。

Location: On the hill behind Shihui Village, Pingshun County, Changzhi City.

交通：从开化寺出发，沿S80陵侯高速向北，转入G22青兰高速，在“平顺”出口下，沿浊漳河谷公路行驶即达。全程约100公里，车程约2小时。

Driving directions: From Kaihua Temple, take S80 Linghou Expressway north, transfer to G22 Qinglan Expressway, exit at "Pingshun," and drive along the Zhuozhang River Valley road. Approximately 100 km, about 2 hours.

大云院创建于五代后晋天福三年（938年），初名仙岩院，宋改今名。寺院坐北朝南，现存弥陀殿为五代遗构，是中国现存最早的普柏枋实例之一。