Xiantong Temple has the longest history and is the most prestigious. Occupying an area of 80,000 square meters (95,682 square yards), it was built initially in 68, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), with the additions built by succeeding dynasties. Now it plays the most important role among the temples, therefore, the Buddhist Association of Mt. Wutaishan is situated there. The court-styled construction of it includes seven palaces, in one of which Wenshu (Manjusri) Bodhisattva's statue was engraved and worshiped. The copper bell in front of the gate is the biggest bell on the mountain, with a weight of 9,999.5 jin (22,045.9 pounds). Its toll can be heard around the entire mountain.

 

At the back of the temple are three copper structures: a copper ball flanked by a pair of copper pagodas, all made during the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty. Exquisitely made, they are rare treasures among ancient buildings made of copper.

 

The pagodas are alike--a combination of inverted-bowl, multistoreyed and pavilion-style structures. The base of each pagoda is a stone platform covered by relief sculptures. The lower part of the pagoda is a Sumeru pedestal, on which sits the main body of the pagoda, composed of three parts: an inverted bowl, a thirteen- storeyed structure and a pavilion with double pent roofs. A steeple is on top of all these. Each pagoda is about eight meters high and covered with ornamental sculptures that are much more refined than those on ordinary iron pagodas