Emperor Yao, regarded as the highest model among the legendary sage kings Yao, Shun, and Yu, established his capital in Linfen in the 23rd century BC. For this reason, Linfen is known as the “First Capital of China.”
Today, we drove toward Linfen, hoping to experience a touch of this ancient imperial legacy。
Along the way, we stopped at Xiaoxitian Temple, also known as Little Western Paradise and Qianfo’an, in Xi County. Built during the Ming Dynasty nearly 400 years ago, it is now a national 4A scenic site.
The name “Xiaoxitian,” meaning “Little Western Paradise,” comes from the Buddhist concept of the Western Pure Land, suggesting that although small, the temple embodies a serene and sacred atmosphere.
As we approached, we were surprised to find it extremely crowded, which made us curious about what made this temple so popular.
The temple sits atop a hill. Following the crowd up the steps, we visited halls such as the Dizang Hall and Guanyin Pavilion, which seemed fairly ordinary at first.
However, upon entering the Mahavira Hall, the experience was truly astonishing. Five Buddha statues sit at the center, while the beams and brackets above are covered with countless suspended sculptures.
There are said to be over 1,000 such carvings. These are not flat reliefs but semi-suspended figures emerging from the wooden structures, creating a dynamic sense of movement as if they are about to take flight.
From the ceiling hang intricately woven canopies, decorated with deep crimson and dark gold patterns, adorned with delicate tassels that have remained remarkably intact for over four centuries.
Even the pillars are richly carved, with pink and blue floral patterns that seem to grow organically from the green surfaces. The shimmering gold accents add an extra layer of brilliance.
Today’s schedule was fairly light. As night fell, we wandered into the streets of Linfen and settled on Yaodu Xiaoguan for dinner, eager to try some local specialties.
After dinner, we took a walk through Linfen, imagining Emperor Yao establishing his rule here over 4,000 years ago. Before his death, he selflessly passed the throne to Shun, a key reason he is remembered as an ideal ruler.
Modern Linfen is now a vibrant and growing city. Wide streets are lined with high-rise buildings, and neon lights illuminate the night. People enjoy their evenings in simple ways—young friends gather at street food stalls, laughter mixing with the aroma of food, while couples play badminton in open squares, the shuttlecock tracing arcs through the air.
Here, the ancient imperial past and the warmth of modern life blend together, creating a peaceful and lively atmosphere.
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