Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple

Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple

Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Commonly known as “Laoye Temple,” Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple is located in the town center of Tianzhuangtai and was originally a Buddhist temple built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, boasting a history of over 200 years.

The temple was destroyed in 1958 and repurposed as a private middle school for the town. In 1993, Master Shi Song led the reconstruction effort. After expansions in 1998 and further renovations in 2006, a complete ancient architectural complex was formed.

In 2002, the temple was listed as a cultural heritage site under the protection of Dawei County; in 2004, it was approved as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Panjin Municipal People's Government; and in 2011, it was successfully designated as a national 2A-level tourist attraction.

The temple features a well-planned layout and distinctive scenic highlights. With majestic halls, solemn and beautiful scenery, exquisitely built palaces, shaded trees, exquisite stelae, an elegant ancient ambiance, and legends such as “The Clay Horse Eating Wheat” and “The Iron Saw of the Opera Stage” that have been passed down through generations, it attracts numerous visitors and worshippers.

Entering through the mountain gate, you will find, in sequence, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Guan Sheng Emperor, and the Mahavira Hall, with the Horse Halls on both sides, followed by the Hall of the God of Wealth, the Hall of Ksitigarbha, the Hall of the Medicine Buddha, the Hall of the Three Saints, and the 0 Hall.

The Hall of Heavenly Kings primarily enshrines the revered Maitreya Buddha, with the 0 Skanda (Wei Tuo) Bodhisattva behind, and the Four Heavenly Kings on either side, representing favorable weather, peace, and prosperity.

The Hall of Guan Sheng Emperor mainly enshrines Lord Guan, with Guan Ping on the left and Zhou Cang in military attire standing on the right. Guan Yu, known for his loyalty and righteousness, was honored by successive dynasties as the “Loyal, Righteous, and Martial Saint Guan Sheng Emperor,” and is revered alongside Confucius as one of the “Two Sages of Literature and Martial Valor.”

The Mahavira Hall houses the Three Sage Buddhas, primarily enshrining the Present Buddha Shakyamuni, with Guanyin Bodhisattva on the left and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the right, and the Eighteen Arhats depicted on both sides.

It is said that during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, Wang Erlie, known as the “Number One Talent of the Guandong Region,” once stayed here briefly and inscribed a horizontal plaque for the temple that read “Transforming Through the Seasons.” Liu Chuntao, one of the “Three Talents of Liaodong,” also left behind the inscription “Since Ancient Times, One of a Kind,” which was carved onto a horizontal plaque.

The temple still preserves precious historical relics, including a small stone lion from the original Guan Di Temple dating back to the Qianlong era, the head of a nine-column stele from the former Chaoyang Palace, and an ancient temple wall from the Qianlong period—all invaluable artifacts.

The annual Guan Di Temple Fair is held on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, commonly referred to as “Laoye Temple Fair.” Legend has it that this is the day when Lord Guan sharpens his sword. There is a saying among the people: “No drought lasts beyond the 13th of May.” No matter how long the drought has lasted, the weather on this day is either overcast or rainy—this has proven true time and again.

The Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple Fair is renowned across the three northeastern provinces. Each fair is extraordinarily grand, more festive and lively than even traditional holidays, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all walks of life. Inside the temple, incense smoke curls upward, bells and chimes ring harmoniously, and devout worshippers bow and pray silently. Outside, the streets are bustling with traffic, filled with the sounds of a lively crowd, and packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists.

Today, the Tianzhuangtai Guan Di Temple Fair has become an important highlight of Panjin’s tourism activities. Alongside events like the “Red Beach Viewing Festival” and the “River Crab Festival,” it has emerged as a branded tourism project for the city.

Guan Yu (162?–220), of Han ethnicity, was born during the Yanxi era of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. His courtesy name was Yunchang, originally Changsheng, and he was a native of Xieliang in Hedong (present-day Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province). A famous general of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, he served as a Front General and was granted the title of Marquis of Hanshou. He was a military strategist. After his death, he was widely venerated by the people and honored by successive imperial courts, eventually being worshipped as Guan Sheng Emperor. In Buddhism, he is known as Sangharama Bodhisattva and respectfully called “Guan Gong.” Later rulers revered him as the “Martial Saint,” placing him on par with Confucius, the “Literary Saint.”

Following Liu Bei

Guan Yu’s original courtesy name was Changsheng, later changed to Yunchang. In his early years, after getting into trouble, he fled his hometown to Youzhou... More detailed information about Guan Yu ++