Ancient Architectural Complex of Qianshan

Ancient Architectural Complex of Qianshan

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Qianshan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Period: Ming to Qing Dynasties

Location: Qianshan District, Anshan, Liaoning

Mainly includes the five major Buddhist monasteries in the Qianshan Scenic Area and ancient temple architectural complexes such as Wuliangguan from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Da’an Temple, Longquan Temple, Zhonghui Temple, Zuyue Temple, and Xiangyan Temple are known as the Five Great Monasteries of Qianshan, most of whose structures were built during the Ming and Qing periods.

Da’an Temple is esteemed as the foremost of the five temples for its grand and vast architectural scale. The founding date of Longquan Temple cannot be verified, but according to extant inscriptions within the temple, the Rear Mountain Buddha Hall was built in the 37th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1558 AD), and the East Hermitage was built in the 25th year of the Wanli reign (1597 AD). Most of the existing structures were reconstructed or expanded during the Qing Dynasty. Xiangyan Temple is one of the earliest temples established in Qianshan. Inside the temple is a stele from the second year of the Yuantian era of the Yuan Dynasty (1313), the “Stele Inscription of Monk Xue’an’s Golden Pagoda,” which is the oldest surviving ancient stele in Qianshan. Zhonghui Temple earned its name because it is situated centrally among the five temples, with Zuyue Temple and Longquan Temple to the north, and Da’an Temple and Xiangyan Temple to the south, and because monks from all five temples often gathered here, hence the name “Zhonghui” (Central Gathering) Temple.

In front of Zuyue Temple are two stone pagodas dating back to the Jin and Yuan periods. Inside the temple are two large jars that are relics from the Ming Dynasty. On the stone cliff at the front of the temple is carved: “Solely Guardian of All Mountains,” inscribed in the third year of the Longqing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1569) by an imperial inspector on tour in Liaodong, along with four smaller vertical characters “Han Ze Xuan Qi.” Wuliangguan is the earliest Taoist temple built in the Qianshan Scenic Area. Its grand architectural scale and the abundance of beautiful scenery make it the foremost among Qianshan’s temples. According to the “Liaoyang County Annals,” Wuliangguan was first built in the sixth year of the Kangxi reign (1661 AD). The ancient buildings of Qianshan are mostly built along the contours of the mountains, with undulating heights and rigorous structures. They serve not only as traditional sites for religious activities but also embody the architectural characteristics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units