Among the numerous cultural relics and historic sites in Xi, the ancient temple occupies an important part. Some of these ancient temples with a long history and profound heritage have become famous scenic spots. Because of the ancient buildings, precious cultural relics and quiet environment, many tourists are attracted to visit ancient times.
Except for the famous ancient temples, some temples are not so lucky. Even though it has a glorious history, it is submerged in the long river of time, and few people know it. Only occasional tourists can arouse those ripples, and people will marvel at the past.
A brief introduction to the history of Wangji Temple
Only two or three out of ten people know the name "Wang Ji Temple". Even many old Xi 'an 'an, unless it is a surrounding residential building, have never heard of it. Wang Ji Temple was built in the first year of Shenlong in Tang Dynasty (705), with a history of 1300 years.
It is one of the three famous temples in the Tang Dynasty. The other two temples are Jionji (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) and Jianfu Temple (Little Wild Goose Pagoda). Today, Jionji and Jianfu Temple are still the most famous tourist attractions in Xi, and the Wild Goose Pagoda is also listed in the World Cultural Heritage List. Only Wang Ji Temple is "down and out".
Wangji Temple, located in Paolou Street, Andongguan, is surrounded by residential areas with high-rise buildings and bright fireworks, which is very prosperous. The first time I went to Wang Ji Temple was actually a chance encounter.
At that time, I had just visited the Eight Immortals Temple (the largest and most famous Taoist temple in Xi 'an). I strolled into the street and saw a sign on the roadside saying "Wang Ji Temple, the royal temple of the Tang Dynasty", so I followed the guide to Wang Ji Temple.
It is only a ten-minute walk from the Eight Immortals Temple, but its popularity has been described one by one. Wang Ji Temple is so deserted!
There are no other pilgrims here except me, except two old people sitting in the sun at the gate of the temple. Who would have thought that it was once one of the most famous temples in Chang 'an in the Tang Dynasty, and it was a place for everyone to worship.
It was built by Princess Taiping of Wang Ji Temple to pray for her mother Wu Zetian. The word "Ji Wang" is taken from The Book of Songs, which means that children are infinitely filial to their parents.
This royal temple, which was located between Daming Palace and Xingqing Palace in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, was once "extremely rich and gorgeous" and attracted attention.
In the first year of Changqing in the Tang Dynasty (82 1), the Tang Dynasty formed an alliance with Tufan, which was the famous "Changqing Alliance" in history. Its alliance ceremony was held in Wang Ji Temple (then named Xingtang Temple).
In addition, Wang Ji Temple is inextricably linked with many royal nobles and literati. The famous astronomer Monk and his party (the world's first "cow man" who measured the meridian length) died and were no longer buried in this temple; Yao Chong, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, often stayed in the temple; During the Kaiyuan period, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty established a refuge in Wang Ji Temple and placed his true portrait for all to visit, which was very popular. There are works by famous painters Wei Chiyi, Wu Daozi, Zhou Fang, Dong Wei and Yang Tingguang in the temple.
It is worth mentioning that when Empress Dowager Cixi took refuge in xi 'an 'an in the 26th year of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (1900), she personally wrote the word "tiger" and gave it to the temple owner. It's interesting to think about it. From Princess Taiping, Empress Wu Zetian to Empress Dowager Cixi, Wang Ji Temple contacted three most powerful women in the history of China.
Today, in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, the monument of Evergreen Alliance is still intact, and the royal temple Wang Ji Temple has already changed.
In 1960s and 1970s, Wang Ji Temple suffered serious damage. For a time, the ancient temple was occupied by many units and houses, and a large number of precious cultural relics preserved in the temple disappeared, including "Tiger Plain" written by Cixi.
Today's Wang Ji Temple is no longer magnificent, but fortunately it has not disappeared. There are only three courtyards in the temple, which have been renovated in recent years. In addition, there is a small garden with several monuments and peacocks. The lawn in the yard is littered with tattered rubble, recording the old days here.
There used to be a pair of stone fairies outside the gate of Wang Ji Temple, which are primitive stone carvings in the Tang Dynasty. They have long been beautifully touched and regarded as the treasures of the temple. I've seen it a few times before, but I disappeared after I went there. Maybe it's in the collection. After all, this is the last relic of the Tang Dynasty in the ancient temple.
Many people don't know about Wang Ji Temple, let alone Wang Ji Temple, which was written by Xi singer Ming Jiang. In the era of "divide and rule" in Wang Ji Temple, some of them were converted into kindergartens. Like Ming Jiang, many post-70s and post-80s may have grown up under pavilions and immortal Buddha statues.
Today, this ancient temple is calm and has become a quiet place in a bustling city. Its two "little friends" in the Tang Dynasty became famous scenic spots, with tourists weaving and bustling. Is Wang jitanpur lonely? Perhaps lonely, but only by accident. After all, it collected the history and childhood memories of a whole generation of Xi people. Just wait for someone to talk to him slowly.
Tourism information of Wangji Temple
Address: Wang Ji Temple, Paofang Street, Dongguan, Xi.
Tickets: Free to the public.
Transportation: Take the bus in Xi 'an 'an, get off at Dongmen Station or Market Turn Station, and enter along Paolou Street. There are signs along the way, which are very easy to find. There is a famous Eight Immortals Temple near here. We can go and have a look together.