The Longxing Temple in Zhengding County, about 15 kilometres north of Shijiazhuang, is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Hebei. Originally founded during the Sui dynasty, the complex contains buildings from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, each layered onto or beside the others in a way that reads as accumulated time rather than planned uniformity.
The focal point is the Great Compassion Pavilion (Dabei Ge), which houses a 21-metre bronze Buddha of Avalokitesvara cast during the Northern Song period — one of the largest cast bronze figures of its period surviving in China. The bronze was made by pouring molten metal through a series of interconnected moulds, a technical achievement that was not surpassed in China for centuries. The structure around it was built to the same height specifically to contain and protect the figure.
The surrounding complex includes the Moni Hall (1052), which contains Song dynasty polychrome clay murals in near-original condition. The whole site covers a large area with clear signage. Entry fees are modest.