The Xingjiao Temple is located in Xian. When the famous traveller monk, Xuanzhuang, died in the first year of the Linde era of the Tang dynasty (664), his remains were interred in the eastern part of Xian. In the second year of the Zhongzhang era (669), Xuanzhuang's remains were moved to Xiaoling Yuan, and the Xingjiao Temple was erected around this site. The stupa for Xuanzhuang's remains had a plaque with its name, Xingjiao, written by the Tang Emperor Suzong (r.756-761). The Xingjiao Temple had been an important Buddhist site throughout the dynasties because of the Xuanzhuang stupa, but its library also contained many important sutras. The temple had been rebuilt several times after having fallen into disrepair, and in 1983 it was named an Important Temple of China.

The Four Guardian Kings, or Devarajas, are important deities in the Buddhist pantheon who are known as the protectors of the Buddhist Law. Iconographically, these figures are invariably portrayed with ferocious expressions and standing in a powerful stance. They each represent a celestial king believed to guard the four cardinal points, and their sculptural forms are usually found placed at four corners of the Buddhist altar. Three of these figures are vassals of the fourth, and is known as Vaisravana - Guardian King of the North - who is normally portrayed holding a stupa. The three vassals are: Dhrtarastra, Guardian King of the East, Virudhaka, who governs the south; and Virupaksa, of the west.