Qinglian Temple in Zezhou

Originally named Xiashi Temple, Qinglian Temple is situated on the hillside of Xiashi Mountain, 17 kilometres southeast of downtown Jincheng, Shanxi Province. It got its present name because the Sakyamuni Buddha inside the temple sits solemnly on a lotus throne. It is designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

The temple complex consists of the Old Temple and the New Temple, stretching along the mountain slope beside the Dan River. The Old Qinglian Temple stands on the lower ground, while the New Qinglian Temple perches higher up the hill.

The Old Temple was first built during the Tianbao reign of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–559 AD). It was renovated in the 8th year of the Xiantong reign of the Tang Dynasty (867 AD), when the imperial court granted it the name Qinglian Temple. To the east of the old temple stands a brick Tibetan-style pagoda erected in the Ming Dynasty, and on the west side is the Huifeng Stone Pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty.