Picture of the Entrance to Xiangguo Temple

Located in the downtown area of Kaifeng city, Xiangguo temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China. The main buildings of the Xiangguo Temple are Grand Hall, the Octagonal Hall, the east and west chambers and other buildings holding Buddhist sutras. It was originally built in 555 AD during the Northern Qi Dynasty with a history of over 1,400 years. In the Northern Song Dynasty, the temple was enlarged many times and became the largest temple and the national Buddhist center at that time. It was firstly named Jianguo Monastery, in 712 AD, it was given the name the Great Xiangguo Temple by the Emperor Reizong in memory of his ascending to the throne of emperor from the former position of King Xiang. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it was deeply worshipped and respected by the royal family enlarging for several times. Being the biggest monastery in the capital city and the center of national Buddhist activities, it was later destroyed by a Yellow River flood at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and it was reconstructed again at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty…