The wood, the atmosphere and the sculptures - everything is as old as it can get. When I was there, several young artists were transferring all the above onto their paper and canvas. Don’t miss the clay statues. When you take a first look at the celestial guards and gods, they may appear to be the typical menacing looking ones found in many temples. Upon closer look, you will start to realize that some in this temple are not only more menacing but more scary. They are meant to be as they are to bring across the message that crime doesn’t pay, that we must not do harm to others or else we would be trialed and condemned to hell. There is a series of life-sized officials of hell sitting in one room. Though it was a bright sunny day when I visited the temple, once I stepped indoor and was confronted by these officials, shivers were instantly sent down my spine. Still, I kept it up and tried my best to read the labels and explanations of these well-crafted pieces of art. In another building, I saw hundreds of intricately sculpted figures. They occupied whole walls, from floor to ceiling. They were in clusters, at different heights, each telling a story, a legend or a real event in Chinese history. Too bad only some of these scenes are explained with sufficient details in writing while others just have a title. But then, if one has a cell phone and the time, one can Google the story and history instantly. Pay the temple a visit. It’s a different experience.

A very empty and dirty place. Besides me, there were 6 other Chinese people in the entire temple. The statues are covered with dust and sand, as is everything there. The upside is that it's quiet and unrestored, but also not taken care of. Not worth 35cny.

Not worth visiting. Way better temples to visit in this country than this one.

(Translated by Google) It is located in a village about 6 km southwest of Pingyao City. It was founded in 571 during the Northern Qi Dynasty of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, but most of what remains today was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. Perhaps because Shanxi has always been the front line of battles with the northern tribes throughout history, the temple was built on a 3m-long foundation and surrounded by tsukiji walls on all four sides, giving it the appearance of a fort. After passing through the strong gate, a temple appears. Shuanglin Temple is known around the world for its diverse group of statues. I generally try not to buy modern Chinese books because the binding is poor, but here I ignored the quality and bought a photo book as a souvenir. (Original) 平遥城より南西６㌔位の村に位置。創建は南北朝北斉時代の571年と古いが、現存のはほとんど明代による再建。山西は歴史上常に北方民族との戦いの最前線だったからか、寺は3㍍もの土台の上に築かれて四周は築地塀で囲み砦風である。堅牢な堡門を潜ると伽藍が現れる。雙林寺は何より多彩な塑像群で世に知られる。現代中国の書籍は製本が悪いので基本買わないようにしてるがここは品質に目をつぶって記念に写真集を一冊購入。

(Translated by Google) Ancient Temple The building expresses traditional Chinese architecture. (Original) วัดโบราณ อาคารแสดงออกถึงสถาปัตยกรรมจีนแบบโบราณ

(Translated by Google) The Bodhisattvas in the temple are all the essence of painted clay sculptures from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. They have a long history and high artistic value. Some are damaged and there is no abbot. They are a world cultural heritage. (Original) 寺廟裡菩薩均為元明時期彩繪泥塑精華歷史悠久藝術價值很高有些損壞沒人住持是世界文化遺產

(Translated by Google) The statues are very delicately carved, and it is quiet inside. There is not too much noise and bustling around. After visiting Pingyao Ancient City, you can take some time to go to Shuanglin Temple. However, the scenic area is not big and you can finish the visit quickly. It is recommended to only spend 2 hours. within the itinerary. (Original) 雕像雕得很細膩，裡頭算是清幽，週邊沒有太吵雜的繁華，到平遙古城逛逛之後，可以抽空到雙林寺走走，但是景點區不大，很快就參觀完了，建議只安排2小時以內行程。

Almost got scammed by the ticketing counter who blatantly told his colleague to be quiet about it . Thankfully i understand mandarin and realised before any payment that they were trying to charge me for an additional ticket . Otherwise the temple is a very medicore and would spend no more than 10 minutes

Super nice temple not much visited. There is a scaring hell Hall with tortured and painted on the walls.

(Translated by Google) Zhenguo Temple, built in 963 AD, has left behind religious art from different eras including the Five Dynasties, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Zhenguo Temple, which is known as the third most famous wooden temple in China, and Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple, which are ranked first and second, are often seriously ignored as classics of religious architecture. The wooden structure originated from the Buddhist statues of the Five Dynasties. The Qing Dynasty reshaped the four heavenly kings and the eleven Sakyamuni and his disciples in the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. They are all goddesses and male gods in clay sculptures. (Original) 建於西元963的鎮國寺，留下了五代、元、明、清不同年代的宗教藝術。 被譽為中國三大木結構名寺排名第三的鎮國寺和前面排名一、二的佛光寺、南禪寺，往往是被嚴重忽略了宗教建築的經典。 木結構、源自五代佛教塑像，清朝重塑四大天王，和萬佛殿中十一尊釋迦牟尼及弟子們，尊尊都是泥塑中女神及男神。

(Translated by Google) When I went there in 2012, the environment was very quiet and there were not many tourists. Foreign tourists would ride bicycles there. Most of them lived near Pingyao Ancient City, and then rented bicycles to get around. If they had enough time, they could also visit Shuanglin Temple. (Original) 2012年當時去的時候環境很清幽，遊客不多，外國遊客會騎腳踏車前往，大多是住在平遙古城附近，然後租腳踏車四處逛逛，如果時間夠的話，還可以到雙林寺參觀一下。

(Translated by Google) Except for three of them (Guanyin, Shancai, and Dragon Girl) that were created in the Ming Dynasty and repainted with oil paint in the Qing Dynasty, the rest are all original works from the Five Dynasties. (Original) 其中除三尊（观音、善财、龙女）为明代塑造，清代重绘油彩外，其余皆为五代原作

(Translated by Google) At one time, you can see the architectural styles of the Five Dynasties, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as the exquisite statues and murals of the Five Dynasties and Ming Dynasty. It is too dizzying to see and cannot be missed. The staff are also very patient and friendly. (Original) 一次性能看到五代、元、明、清的建筑风格，还有精美的五代、明朝塑像、壁画，目不暇接，不能错过，工作人员也都很耐心友善。

A well restored defensive wall that encircles the old Pingyao. Its is more than 6km in length. It is not of the same scale as Xi'an's wall: it is narrower on the top, towers are few and less grand, and there is no cycling facility. If you plan to walk and do not plan to walk the while wall, do note that there are only a few places where you can enter/exit -- primarily the North/East/South/West gates, with a couple more in between. For a short walk, it is best to start from South Gate, which is also more interesting. If you walk counter clockwise, there is an exit about 200m away.

Place was good, but beware when you/the driver bring you to the tao temple inside the pingyao ancient city. They will ask you to burn incese which the cheapest cost you RMB 388. You better say you dont believe this kind of things or dont event go inside.

It was a wonderful experience to see the Chinese ancient city architectures. At the same time, trying out the local food, arts and crafts. Over all, very good place to visit for the families.

The Ancient City of Ping Yao is a well-preserved ancient county-level city in China. Located in Ping Yao County, central Shanxi Province, the property includes three parts: the entire area within the walls of Ping Yao, Shuanglin Temple 6 kilometers southwest of the county seat, and Zhenguo Temple 12 kilometers northeast of the county seat. The Ancient City of Ping Yao well retains the historic form of the county-level cities of the Han people in Central China from the 14th to 20th century. Founded in the 14th century and covering an area of 225 hectares, the Ancient City of Ping Yao is a complete building complex including ancient walls, streets and lanes, shops, dwellings and temples. Its layout reflects perfectly the developments in architectural style and urban planning of the Han cities over more than five centuries. Particularly, from the 19th century to the early 20th century, the Ancient City of Ping Yao was a financial center for the whole of China. The nearly 4,000 existing shops and traditional dwellings in the town which are grand in form and exquisite in ornament bear witness to Ping Yao’s economic prosperity over a century. With more than 2,000 existing painted sculptures made in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shuanglin Temple has been reputed as an “oriental art gallery of painted sculptures”. Wanfo Shrine, the main shrine of Zhenguo Temple, dating back to the Five Dynasties, is one of China’s earliest and most precious timber structure buildings in existence. The Ancient City of Ping Yao is an outstanding example of Han cities in the Ming and Qing dynasties (from the 14th to 20th century). It retains all the Han city features, provides a complete picture of the cultural, social, economic and religious development in Chinese history, and it is of great value for studying the social form, economic structure, military defense, religious belief, traditional thinking, traditional ethics and dwelling form.

Well constructed with principles of feng shui. Take a walk along the wall and view the rooftop of these ancient city is worth.

Very nice... Especially as you can walk around it and have a great look at the city from above

A lovely ancient city and great for one or two nights stay. Tried their local food the 'koa lao loa' interesting

Spectacular history. So much to see here. Allow at least one whole day to see this ancient city, that is so well preserved. The tourist facilities within the city walls are organized very well and in a way that blends in with the city. This is a very unique window into history.

Arguably one of the best preserved city walls in China and what makes Pingyao really unique.