Tieling Longshou Mountain

Tieling Longshou Mountain

Tieling Longshou Mountain is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site protected by Liaoning Province.

Longshou Mountain is located two li east of Tieling city. It earned its name because it rushes in from the southeast and suddenly rises near the Chai River, resembling the head of a giant dragon — hence the name "Dragon Head Mountain." It is a famous scenic area in Tieling.

Every May, the hills and valleys are covered with brightly colored roses, their intoxicating fragrance carried by the wind. The spring scenery here is beautiful, but the autumn views are even more elegant. The cool autumn wind turns the maple leaves on the mountains red, and visitors flock through the dense woods. "Autumn Views at Longshou" is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of the Chai River.

The ancient Ciqing Temple sits atop the northern peak of Longshou Mountain. Originally named Xiufeng Temple or Shuichao Temple, it is also known as Sanqing Guan. The temple complex is a classic quadrangle-style courtyard featuring a main hall, east and west side halls, a scripture depository, and the Zuigong Tower. In front of the courtyard are two stele pavilions: Banqiang and Suyun. The main hall is three bays wide and two bays deep, with corridors under the eaves and vibrant painted beams. Inside, it houses three Buddha statues including Sakyamuni, along with clay sculptures of the Eight Heavenly Kings.

The Zuigong Tower was originally the mountain gate but was rebuilt as a two-story wooden building with a flush gable roof in 1921. The first floor serves as the passage to the temple, while the second floor was once a gathering place for literati to enjoy tea and compose poetry. It is now a VIP lounge, featuring several calligraphy and paintings inscribed by notable figures about Longshou Mountain.

The Xiufeng Temple Pagoda is located about 100 meters south of Ciqing Temple. It is an octagonal, nine-tiered, solid brick pagoda with dense eaves, also built during the Ming Hongzhi era and renovated in 1591. The pagoda body features brick carvings of Buddha statues and niches. To the north of the Xiufeng Temple Pagoda is the Taoran Pavilion, to the south is the Dicui Pavilion, and further south of Dicui stands the Kuixing Tower. To the east of the Xiufeng Temple Pagoda lies a small stone pavilion containing a stone stele that records the history of the pagoda’s renovation. Ciqing Temple was designated as a cultural heritage site protected by Liaoning Province in 1988.