Most of what is known have been from studying the stele at the temple and a local historical account written in 1875 called the Laiyuanxian Zhi.

The octagonal pillar at the temple, the oldest of the current structures at the Wenshu Hall, dates to 966 of the Liao dynasty.

[2] The temple's construction was funded by a patron called Li Yuanchao, who helped found the Later Tang.

The late discovery date is explained by Laiyuan's extreme isolation in the mountains of Western Hebei province.

Each bay on the front façade contains four door panels, and the hall is built upon a large yuetai.