I thought it would be a boring temple visit, but I ended up being amazed by the creativity of the ancients at Jin Temple.

Before visiting Jin Temple, I kept thinking: isn’t it just some old buildings and sculptures? It must be super boring... But the moment I stepped into the scenic area, I was blown away by the ancient creativity 😂😂😂 — ✨The opera stage has a buried water jar as a speaker, ✨the iron golden statue platform doubles as a "flood and lightning rod," ✨the maid statues in the Holy Mother Hall all have expressions like memes, ✨the 3,000-year-old Zhou cypress leans as if eavesdropping on gossip. This isn’t just a temple visit; it’s like watching the ancients having fun online, laughing until your legs go weak 😂😂! Don’t bring a textbook mindset, just think of it as visiting a bunch of quirky “old neighbors,” and you’ll find yourself laughing and suddenly understanding — turns out people thousands of years ago lived seriously and humorously just like us! I can’t wait to share this super fun Jin Temple travel guide with you all. 👉For those planning to go, make sure to save this... 💁‍♀️Before you go: ✨Documents: Be sure to bring your ID card; you’ll need it for buying tickets and checking in. Students and seniors, don’t forget your student or senior ID to get discounts! ✨What to wear: It’s recommended to wear light colors or Hanfu, which matches perfectly with the red walls and green trees of the scenic area, making your photos look amazing! Choose comfortable shoes because there’s quite a bit of walking!! 🔁Tour route: Get a free map at the entrance → head straight to the central axis (✨Water Mirror Platform → ✨Meeting Immortals Bridge → ✨Golden Statue Platform → ✨Duiyue Archway → ✨Bell and Drum Tower → ✨Offering Hall → ✨Fish Pond Flying Beam → ✨Holy Mother Hall) → turn west (ancient tree area ✨Zhou Cypress → ✨Nanlao Spring) → browse the cultural and creative shops near the exit. ✨The whole trip takes 2-3 hours, not too tiring, and you can have a great time. 💁‍♀️Recommended spots to check in: 1️⃣ Water Mirror Platform: Right at the entrance, you’ll see this Ming and Qing dynasty opera stage, a true work of art with carved beams and painted rafters, super exquisite. It’s said there’s a big water jar buried underground used as an “ancient speaker” to amplify sound — so creative! Be sure to take photos of the glazed roof beasts; they sparkle beautifully in the sunlight, stunning enough to make you cry! 2️⃣ Holy Mother Hall: A ceiling-level masterpiece of Song dynasty architecture! In front of the hall are 8 wooden dragon-carved pillars, so lifelike it feels like they’re about to fly out. Inside the hall are 43 life-sized maid statues, each with a different expression, as if telling their own stories. Here’s a secret: on the left side, there’s a maid with a “half-smile, half-tear” expression. Master Mei Lanfang once stopped here for 3 hours! Wearing Hanfu and taking photos with the dragon pillars feels like traveling back in time. 3️⃣ Fish Pond Flying Beam: China’s earliest cross-shaped bridge. Standing on the bridge, the symmetrical composition makes every photo look like a masterpiece, instantly giving you the vibe of the drama "A Dream of Splendor." There are many koi swimming under the bridge, and if you’re lucky, you can capture a “dragon-shaped reflection” — a wonderful surprise! 4️⃣ Zhou Cypress: On the north side of the Holy Mother Hall, this cypress is over 3,000 years old, leaning but flourishing. Everyone likes to touch its roots, said to bring wishes for longevity — very powerful. 5️⃣ Nanlao Spring: The plaque inscribed by Fu Shan at the Nanlao Spring pavilion on the south side is a must-photograph, but the spring water now is artificially circulated, so don’t expect to see “jade-green flowing water.” 💁‍♀️Tips to avoid pitfalls: 1️⃣ Official guides wear blue vests and charge 100 yuan/hour. Be cautious of unofficial guides to avoid being taken shopping or hearing false stories. 2️⃣ It’s best to visit on weekday mornings or after rain when there are fewer people and the light is perfect. 3️⃣ There are few dining options inside the scenic area, and prices are high. The “homemade vinegar” sold at the exit is mostly mixed and may not have information when scanned, so it’s not recommended to buy. 4️⃣ The popular restaurant “Jinci Renjia” has low cost performance. You can walk 5 minutes from the south gate to Jinci Hotel’s Jinweizhai Restaurant, where the average cost is about 60 yuan per person. 🙏I hope this guide helps you avoid pitfalls and have a smooth trip... Finally, I wish everyone a perfect travel experience 🥰🥰🥰. Community Creation Center Benefits Officer