Lijia Fort Biyun Temple

Lijia Fort Biyun Temple

Lijia Fort Biyun Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Jiukoukou Biyun Temple

Located on the mountainside of Laoniushan at the southern end of the water-built Jiukoukou Great Wall in Suizhong, Liaoning Province, stands the majestic and soaring Biyun Temple. In summer, the temple exudes a unique charm and style—its beauty is bold, magnificent, and solemn. Surrounded by lush green trees with full, vibrant canopies, everywhere you look feels alive with vitality, verdant and rich in poetic charm, with white clouds lingering and an ethereal atmosphere wafting through.

The total construction area of Biyun Temple is 14,300 square meters. The temple complex includes multiple halls such as the Heavenly King Hall, Kṣitigarbha Hall, Patriarch Hall, and Sangharama Hall. The splendid and harmonious layout further enhances its auspicious and serene ambiance. Just being there allows you to experience the profound depth and long-standing heritage of Chinese culture.

The temple complex is built along the mountain slope from the bottom up. The resplendent halls rise layer by layer, while the elegant and refined scenery unfolds step by step. The courtyards exhibit a strong sense of artistry, forming a uniquely captivating layout that leaves a deep impression at every turn.

It was first built in the third year of the Hongwu era (1370 AD). The name “Biyun Temple” was inscribed personally by Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. The site was chosen by the military strategist Liu Bowen, and the founding hero Xu Da oversaw its construction by imperial decree. The monk Puxian served as the abbot. After the consecration of the Buddha statues, the temple held an unprecedented grand ceremony of transmitting the precepts with seven ordinations, and at one point, it housed as many as fifty resident monks.

A sacred place that can purify the soul—every word here is imbued with holiness. Our distant devotion begins to draw closer, and long-brewed worldly desires and temptations start to waver. A heartfelt reverence wells up from the depths of our souls, moving us to tears. Pushing open the red doors and stepping over the thresholds feels like entering another world, where both body and mind are completely enveloped by solemnity and sanctity. Every visitor can’t help but tread lightly and wear a solemn expression, afraid to disturb this pure land or shatter its refined silence.

In the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen era (1644 AD), during the fierce Battle of Jiujiangkou, the land was shattered, the times were turbulent, and chaos reigned. Biyun Temple suffered severe damage. After the battle, Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan who emerged victorious, funded the temple’s restoration under the supervision of the monk Yulin. Today, the temple and its Buddha statues radiate a light believed to be possessed only by the divine. This light penetrates the heart, compelling one to bow down, repent silently, and pray... It is said that Chen Yuanyuan often came here to burn incense, quietly pouring out her untold sorrows or perhaps finding the beginning of her later connection with Buddhism. This thousand-year-old temple, serene and quiet, once witnessed the passing of the peerless beauty, now long gone. Only the lingering chants of Buddhist sutras echo on...

Since the time of Qin Shi Huang building the wall to defend against enemies, history has witnessed countless battles here—Wu Sangui’s bloody fight against Li Zicheng, Yuan Chonghuan versus Dorgon, the Zhili-Fengtian War during the Republic of China era, and the Northern Expedition all took place in this very place, all observed by Biyun Temple. In 1723, Emperor Yongzheng visited the area during his eastern tour and personally inscribed the four characters “大雄宝殿” (Mahavira Hall). Stepping into the ancient and mysterious main hall, the gilded plaques, wooden lattice windows, thick beams, and sturdy pillars all showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional Chinese architecture. The courtyard’s ancient green trees and rustling winds carry the essence of Chinese spirit, bringing boundless peace and tranquility. Gazing up at the towering Buddha statues, a pilgrim’s heart yearns to cleanse the dust from the soul. With a pure heart, listen to the wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the Thousand Buddha Pagoda, bringing a sense of ease. For all ordinary aspects of life, we choose to cherish them. Deep within the wandering soul, there is always a touch of life’s emotion.

It’s not because we lack something that we feel sorrow, but because our hearts carry too many desires that we suffer.

This ancient temple has been carved by time, its solemnity unchanged by the eras, radiating warm compassion from the inside out. Biyun Temple is an ancient temple filled with legends and history. It has weathered many storms, has been destroyed several times by war, and has been restored just as many times. Xu Da sought refuge here after a defeat, received guidance from the abbot, and was blessed by the bodhisattvas, which helped him turn misfortune into fortune and achieve victory. To repay the temple, Emperor Taizu invested heavily in its renovation. Later, Wu Sangui prayed here three times seeking victory. To show his gratitude, when he served as the regional commander of Jiliao, he mobilized a large army and spent enormous sums of silver to renovate the temple a second time, bringing Biyun Temple back to its former glory in the north. All of this speaks to the temple’s spiritual power and fame. For thousands of years, worshippers and devotees have come in an endless stream. Worshipped for millennia, the ancient temple has calmly witnessed the rise and fall of generations, steadfastly preserving the memories of each era, leaving humanity with endless musings and memories.

Visiting here not only purifies the heart but also allows you to experience the magnificence of the Jiukoukou water-built Great Wall. Come and feel the transcendent ancient temple—a magnificent and sacred pilgrimage site.