temple temple chinese buddhist temple located kilometres major hall temple great east hall built dynasty according architectural records earliest preserved timber structure china rediscovered 20th century architectural historian older hall discovered team year later temple contains significant hall dating called hall addition second oldest existing china dating 6th century located temple grounds today temple site undergoing restoration history temple established fifth century dynasty years temple underwent active building period level tall pavilion built emperor banned buddhism china persecution temple burned ground surviving temple early history years later temple rebuilt great east hall built site storey pavilion woman named provided funds needed construct hall construction led monk named 10th century depiction painted cave likely painters seen temple main hall painting white building green roof different red white great east hall painting indicates important stop buddhist pilgrims dynasty constructed temple north hall dedicated burnt dynasty began search china ancient buildings seventh year society search architectural team led discovered dynasty able date building wife found inscription date accuracy confirmed study building matched known information buildings layout unlike chinese temples oriented south north position temple oriented east west position mountains located east north south having mountains building believed improve temple consists main halls northern hall called hall constructed dynasty largest hall great east hall constructed dynasty large hall known existed south monastery longer extant great east hall dating dynasty great east hall oldest dated wooden building china main hall temple dated main hall dragons temple dated hall located far east temple atop large stone platform single storey structure measuring seven bays metres supported inner outer sets columns column complicated set containing seven different types high column supporting roof hall sets connected crescent shaped create inner ring inner set columns outer ring outer columns hall ceiling roof frame view roof extremely complex sets testament great east hall importance structure dynasty according 11th century architectural treatise great east hall closely corresponds seventh rank building system ranks high rank great east hall indicates dynasty important building buildings period high rank survive inside hall thirty sculptures murals wall date dynasty later periods unfortunately statues lost artistic value 1930s centre hall platform large statues sitting lotus shaped seats statues flanked assistants platform statues riding lion elephant heavenly kings stand statue representing hall monk helped build hall present hall large mural hall shows events took place chronicles past life smaller murals temple gathering donors help support temple hall north temple courtyard hall constructed dynasty roughly size measuring seven bays located high platform doors central door features single hip roof interior hall support pillars order support large roof diagonal beams walls murals painted dynasty small located south great east hall unclear exact date construction built possibly contains tomb founder white shaped metres tall storey chamber second storey purely decorative decorated lotus supports precious bottle shape flower pillars temple grounds contain dynasty pillars oldest meters tall built record construction present beginning partnership working conserve cultural heritage hall restoration work 17th century suffers water damage rotting beams despite temple undergoing restoration open public june temple inscribed mount world heritage site
Foguang Temple