Built in 401, the Faxing Temple was originally known as the Guangde Temple during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). A stone dagoba was built in the temple in 673. It was renamed Faxing Temple in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and experienced numerous renovations during the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. Sitting in the north and facing the south, the temple's main constructions were built on the central axis and include the dagoba, Randeng Tower, Yuanjue Hall and the back hall.

The dagoba, also known as stone hall, was built by layering sandstone boards. Assuming a square shape of the Chinese character , the dagoba is 8.8 meters long at each side and has three-layered eaves. The hall's inner structure is shaped like a square caisson with sets of brackets holding up the eaves. The dagoba has a pearl-shaped spire and its four walls are engraved frescos. Similar in structure to both the tower and the hall, the dagoba is very unique among other Chinese ancient towers.

The Randeng Tower is 2.26 meters high and takes an octagonal shape. It was built on a two-storeyed base, with the figures of running beasts engraved around the batholith together with 8 performers. The pedestal was carved into the form of a lotus flower, with 4 octagonal hollow lamp kiosks carved above. The tower is hollow inside and lamplight shoots out through the 4 doors at night, lighting up the yard. Gracefully sculpted and finely carved, the tower is an elaborate work among the present stone lighthouses in China.

The Yuanjue Hall has a huge altar that was shaped like a Chinese character , with Sakyamuni sitting cross-legged on it. Two followers of Sakyamuni stand on his sides, bending forward. Manjusri and Samantabhadra are also on his sides, riding a lion and an elephant, respectively. Two warrior attendants stand in the front of altar. In two side rooms are 6 statues of Pratyekabuddha, wearing various expressions on their face. Gracefully shaped with high techniques, the colored sculptures in this hall are elaborate works of the Song Dynasty and regarded as the representative works of this period along with statues of Liao Dynasty kept in the Huayan Temple in Datong and statues of the Song Dynasty kept in the Jin Temple in Taiyuan.