The temple is 35km (22 miles) south of Taihuai Village. First built during the Northern Wei dynasty when Buddhism was the official religion, it had greatly expanded by the time it fell victim to the Tang anti-Buddhist campaign of 845. After its total destruction, it was rebuilt 12 years later with the help of a female benefactor named Ning Gongyu. The one hall associated with her,Dong Dadian (Eastern Great Hall),survives today. Like the Nanchan's Hall of the Great Buddha, it is the only Tang-style building amidst a cluster of mostly Ming and Qing dynasty halls.
To get to the Eastern Great Hall, follow the cobblestone path through the first courtyard. This leads through a deep archway similar to a city-wall gate, followed by a steep stone staircase. The statues, calligraphy, and wall paintings within are from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, while the 296 arhats (enlightened disciples) on either side -- remainder of the original 500 -- date to the Ming. Note the more elaborate bracketing, double roofs, and ridge ornaments of this hall compared with the simple elegance of Nanchan Si.