After two years of repairs and reconstruction, the main shrine hall in Huqiu district was recently reopened to visitors, recreating its past magnificence.

Having undergone repair to the 53 Sages Hall, the main shrine hall in Huqiu district was reconstructed and repaired. Buddhist culture is a major part of the history and culture of Huqiu district. The 53 Sages Hall is one of the most important scenic spots for tourists in the district, and also a vital historic and cultural site of Buddhism. The 53 Sages Hall is located in the original spot of the Hall of Heavenly Kings in Yunyan Temple. When the temple was damaged, the hall that enshrined the Buddha was the only Buddha-hall of Yunyan Temple in existence.

In order to eliminate security risks due to years of disrepair, repair work of the 53 Sages Hall began in the first half of 2012 and ended in mid-September. The hall was repaired in the Song Dynasty (AD 420-479) style.

Before repairs, the great hall was simply furnished with some portraits and three statues including the Buddha Shakyamuni and his two disciples Khayyam and Ananda. The hall has a new layout with more Buddha statues, including a statue of Bhaisajyaguru, a statue of Amitabha and the standing statues of the two disciples. Both sides of the hall have statues of the Sixteen Arhats. There are musical instruments on display in front of the Buddha such as an inverted bell, drum, bell and wooden block. Behind the main Buddha are the statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy accompanied with Sudhana and the Dragon Lady. In the rear of the hall are Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. The statues are elaborately made of traditional bodiless raw lacquer, vivid in manner and magnificent in presence. Large palace lamps hang in the hall.

An office worker for tourist management in Huqiu district said that the main shrine hall was the most important part of Buddhist temple culture, and that the repair work of the main shrine hall was expected to further reveal the long history of Buddhist culture in Huqiu district.