Longquan Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi province has recently finished undergoing four years of restoration work.

The temple, which sits on the top of Taishan Mountain, covers an area of 6,300 square meters and was first built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It was later rebuilt, restored and expanded in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Apart from the original buildings, there are tablets with inscriptions, and a pagoda with underground structure containing related relics from the reign of Empress Wu Zetian (690-705) who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The restoration led by Shanxi Ancient Architecture Group is to develop an archaized architectural complex, designed in the style of the Tang Dynasty, by linking major ancient buildings in the temple with cloisters and combining them into three courtyards based on traditional courtyard garden designs.

Tourism support facilities such as roads, greenery and a tourist service center have also been added during the restoration work.

The newly-restored Longquan Temple pictured on Taishan Mountain in Taiyuan, Shanxi province [Photo/ sxsgjz.cn]

An exhibition room pictured inside a pagoda in Longquan Temple [Photo/ sxsgjz.cn]