Tianlong Temple Statues

The Tianlong Temple Statues are located on the mountain rock behind Tianlong Temple in the southwest of Ciyun Ridge. They were carved in the third year of the Qiande period of the Northern Song Dynasty (965) when King Qian Hongchu of the Wuyue Kingdom built Tianlong Temple. In the third year of the Jianyan period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1129), Tianlong Temple was destroyed by war, but it was later rebuilt. In the thirteenth year of the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1143), when the suburban altar was first built, it served as temporary accommodation for hundreds of officials and their servants during suburban sacrifices. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The current temple was rebuilt in the 1980s according to the ancient layout, and the statues have undergone some repairs. A Buddhist pavilion was built on top to protect them.

There are three grottoes and eleven cliff-side statues in Tianlong Temple. The statues are Maitreya Buddha, Wuliang Buddha, Water-Moon Guanyin, Fahualin Bodhisattva, Damiaoxiang Bodhisattva, Guardian, and Flying Deities. The statues are divided into three niches: East, Middle, and West. The main niche is located at the highest point and contains seven statues.

The Tianlong Temple Statues have vivid and exquisite carvings, representing the art of Wuyue sculpture. They have distinct characteristics of the Five Dynasties period, inheriting the artistic features of the Northern grottoes before the Tang Dynasty. The sculptures are mature, refined, and delicate, while also showcasing the characteristics of the Jiangnan region.

Together with the Ciyun Ridge Statues and Yanxia Cave Statues, the Tianlong Temple Statues form the Southern Mountain Statues of West Lake in Hangzhou. These three sets of statues are outstanding representatives of Wuyue Buddhist sculpture during the Five Dynasties period. 

They were carved during a period when the development of Northern grotto sculptures had stagnated. They inherited the artistic features of the Northern grottoes before the Tang Dynasty and connected with them, thus allowing the continuation of our country's sculpture in terms of historical style and carving art. Therefore, the Southern Mountain Statues of West Lake in Hangzhou hold a unique position in the history of grotto sculpture art in China.

Opening hours: All day

Address: On the mountain rock behind Tianlong Temple southwest of Ciyun Peak