Wolu Mountain Xiaosheng Temple Scenic Area

Wolu Mountain Xiaosheng Temple Scenic Area

The Wolu Mountain Xiaosheng Temple Scenic Area is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Wolu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Songshu Village, Yangjiapuzi Town, 26 kilometers south of Xiuyan County. It is renowned for its elegant peaks, unique temples, and beautiful scenery. Within the mountain lies a bluestone ridge about 100 meters long, shaped like the back of a reclining deer. Legend has it that in ancient times, a Taoist priest riding a black deer lived in the mountain and after his death, transformed into the stone ridge, hence the name Wolu Mountain. The mountain features steep and picturesque landscapes, with scenic spots scattered throughout.

Stone Ancient Temple — Xiaosheng Temple

Xiaosheng Temple is situated at the foot of Wolu Mountain. Due to its long history, it is referred to by locals as the "Old Ancient Temple." It is currently the only well-preserved stone ancient temple existing in Liaoning Province.

Originally, Xiaosheng Temple was a thatched cottage-style ancient temple with three rooms, built during the Tang Dynasty. In 1981, the Liaoning Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau allocated funds for a comprehensive renovation, which included constructing three new rooms on the eastern corridor, building an antique-style mountain gate, and erecting a 60.4-meter-long flower wall. Later, three additional rooms were added on the western side. This massive temple is entirely built from stone. The main hall is 9.15 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 5.4 meters high. Except for the doors and windows, the walls, pillars, beams, roof, ridges, and ornaments are all carved from stone and assembled using mortise-and-tenon joints. The temple’s east and west gables are made up of 61 slabs of stone, the rear wall consists of 65 slabs, and the front wall is built from 30 slabs. Remarkably, the temple’s ridge beam can predict weather conditions—showing signs of “slight moisture before light rain, heavier moisture before heavy rain, and no moisture when no rain is coming.” The reason behind this phenomenon remains unexplained to this day. Inside the stone temple are five Buddha statues, all carved from stone.

Forest of Steles

To the right of the stone ancient temple lies a Forest of Steles, featuring over 50 temple and tomb steles dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republican era. It serves as a testament to the history of Xiuyan.

Pine Tree Sheep

Pine Tree Sheep is the main peak of Wolu Mountain, standing at an elevation of 519 meters, standing alone amidst surrounding peaks. From a distance, the stone cliffs and ancient pines at the summit form a shape resembling a goat, hence the name Pine Tree Sheep. Locally, it is phonetically similar to “Pine Tree Sprout,” from which the place name is derived.

Stone Eaves Waterfall View

About 100 meters from the summit, a huge rock juts out from the cliff, resembling a house eave. Beneath the eave lies a flat stone surface of about 400 square meters, which can accommodate a hundred people. In summer, stream water flows onto the stone eave, forming a waterfall over 20 meters wide that cascades down to the ground. Over time, the rock surface has been eroded into wavy patterns arranged in an orderly fashion, creating a uniquely striking sight.

Lie on the Rock and Listen to the Pines

Not far from the Stone Eaves Waterfall View is a cliff where a huge rock stands tall, over ten feet high, with a flat top where one can lie down. Surrounded by lush green pines in various shapes and poses, it offers a unique and tranquil experience. At dusk, lying on the rock while enjoying the gentle breeze and rustling pine waves is especially delightful.