Mount Yiwulü – Tianxian Temple Scenic Area

Mount Yiwulü – Tianxian Temple Scenic Area

The Tianxian Temple Scenic Area is located in Dashizhen, Beizhen City, Jinzhou, in the western part of Liaoning Province, on the eastern foothills of Mount Yiwulü. Tianxian Temple is ranked among the Four Great Temples of the Northeast and is one of the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Mount Yiwulü. It enjoys flourishing incense offerings and widespread fame both within and beyond the region. The temple is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Courts. The Upper Court houses the Hall of the Three Ladies of Heaven, a small wooden-frame structure with three rooms, covered with grey tiles and built with blue bricks in a flush-gable style. Inside, there are stone-carved statues of the Three Ladies of Heaven, featuring smooth carving lines and a solemn yet benevolent expression, which is why it is called Tianxian Temple.

The Lower Court has a main hall with three rooms and six side rooms on the east and west sides, serving as Taoist guest rooms. The main hall is a brick-and-tile building, while the side rooms are tile-and-stone bungalows. The Middle Court can be reached by taking the mountain path northward through a side door on the west side of the main hall in the Lower Court. Also known as the Waist Court, it features three temple halls, also constructed with bricks and tiles. Inside are statues of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy, the Divine Treasure Heavenly Worthy, and the Moral Heavenly Worthy. It forms an independent courtyard that serves as a connecting space between the Upper and Lower Courts. The Upper Court is accessed by a winding path from the Middle Court and includes three halls, similarly built with tiled roofs and wooden frames in a flush-gable style. In the courtyard stands a thousand-year-old ancient pine tree, lush and leafy, which covers the entire courtyard and is visible from afar, earning the praise of “Guardian Pine of the Temple.” The temple was renovated during the Ming Dynasty and belongs to the Huashan Sect. On the pine-covered hillside to the east, there are more than ten stupa tombs, serving as burial sites for the successive abbots of the temple. The statues in the Upper Court have been damaged, but the halls and murals remain. Three couplets in front of the halls are still intact. The central couplet reads: “Heaven and man are one; cultivating human virtue is the path to immortality; immortals and buddhas share a common origin; only with a celestial heart can one have a buddha’s heart.” One of the side couplets reads: “The carvings are exquisitely detailed, rivaling the golden halls of the Jade Pool; the craftsmanship is even more refined—why seek the jade palaces of the Milky Way?” The other side couplet reads: “The divine shears subdue the mighty lion; its valor echoes through the universe to this day; the miraculous formation at Qishan unfolds; its spirits have inspired the world since ancient times.” Most of the inscriptions have been damaged, though a few characters are still legible.

From the Waist Court, heading northwest and trekking along a winding mountain path through forests and valleys, you can climb to Wanghai Rock, the northernmost peak of Mount Yiwulü, which stands at an elevation of 611.87 meters. Standing at the summit, all the surrounding mountains lie beneath your feet, and looking up to the sky, you can gaze southward toward the Bohai Sea, hence the name “Northern Peak Overlooking the Sea.” Up close, you can enjoy the nearby peaks, rivers, orchards, and fields—a refreshing and delightful sight.

The Tianxian Temple Scenic Area boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, with picturesque scenery. It blends historical culture, ethnic religion, pastoral courtyards, and natural landscapes, making it one of the best destinations for exploring the pristine natural beauty of northern China.

Dashizhen: Originally part of Zheng’an Commune, it was established as Dashishi Commune in 1961, became a township in 1983, was renamed Dashiman Manchu Ethnic Township in 1985, reverted to Dashishi Township in 1990, and was upgraded to a town in 1995. Located on the northern edge of the city, it is 23 kilometers from the municipal government, covering an area of 117 square kilometers with a population of 13,000, including 9,000 Manchu people. The town is accessible by road. It administers 13 village committees: Dashishi No. 1, Dashishi No. 2, Dashishi No. 3, Donggou, Guodafā, Beichentun, Bianjia, Gaolin, Miaogou, Huashan, Yaogou, and Xiaolingzi. Local enterprises include chemical and agricultural tool repair factories. The main agricultural products are sorghum and corn... More details about Dashizhen++