Reclining Deer Mountain Stone Temple

Reclining Deer Mountain Stone Temple

The Reclining Deer Mountain Stone Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Reclining Deer Mountain in Anshan is located in Songshuyang Village, Yangjiabao Township, 24 kilometers southeast of Xiuyan County, Anshan.

The Stone Temple, originally named "Xiaosheng Temple" and commonly known as "Laogu Temple," is the only large-scale ancient stone-constructed temple still existing in the province. It was listed as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit in December 1988.

Reclining Deer Mountain boasts steep terrain, peculiar peaks and rocks, and dense forests and lush grass, offering enchanting scenery. The Stone Temple is nestled against the mountain and beside a ravine, situated on a flat area at the foot of the mountain. The main hall of the temple has three bays, standing 5.4 meters high, 5 meters wide, and about 9 meters long. Its roof is covered with 36 exquisitely crafted giant stone tiles. With the exception of wooden doors and windows, the entire structure—including beams, pillars, tiles, eaves, and the roof ridge—is built from blue-white stone materials, meticulously carved and tightly fitted, forming a unified whole. Inside the temple are five stone Buddha statues, and in front of the temple stands a stone bell tower. The temple courtyard is enclosed by stone walls on all sides. The entire stone temple complex can be described as having "stone temple buildings, stone Buddha statues, a stone bell tower, and stone walls." From a distance, the temple appears to float amidst ethereal clouds and mist, leaving visitors in awe.

To the west of the temple lies a forest of steles, with 50 erected stone tablets featuring calligraphy in various styles including regular script, cursive script, clerical script, and seal script. These steles date from the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era to the Republican period, with the majority originating from the Qing Dynasty. The stone tablets are adorned with exquisite patterns and finely detailed carvings, representing a collection of outstanding stone carving artworks.

Nestled within a backdrop of green mountains and often shrouded in mist, the Reclining Deer Mountain Stone Temple seems like a paradise on earth. Nearby attractions include Ox Back Ridge and Boat Rock. During spring and autumn, the site attracts a continuous stream of visitors, making it a popular tourist destination.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Liaoning Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units