Xingtai Qingquan Temple

Xingtai Qingquan Temple

Xingtai Qingquan Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Qingquan Chan Temple (also known as Wugu City) is located in Putaogou Village, Xingtai Town, Pulandian City, Dalian. Historical records indicate that Qingquan Temple was first built in the 21st year of the Zhenguan era (648–649 AD), making it over 1,300 years old. In March of the 21st year of Zhenguan (647 AD), Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, decided on the route for another eastern campaign, appointing Li Jing as the Grand General of the Liaodong Route Expeditionary Force, leading troops from the Yingzhou (Chaoyang region) military governor to advance along the "Emperor’s Personal Campaign" route back toward southern Liaoning. He also appointed Niu Jinda, the Left Martial Guard Grand General, as the Grand General of the Qingqiu Route Expeditionary Force, commanding forces that crossed the sea from Laizhou (Yexian County, Shandong) to directly attack southern Liaoning.

Speaking of Niu Jinda, he led his forces across the sea from Laizhou and landed at Shizi Kou (Lushunkou), engaging in fierce battles at Heifeng Guan (Nanguanling), fighting through the strategic Yulin Pass (Jinzhou), passing through Bolanpu (Pulandian), and advancing northward. The main force passed through Dayingzi (within Zhuanghe), charging straight toward Longyuan (Fengcheng County), and by July, they reached Shicheng (northeast of Fengcheng County), where they killed thousands of enemies before retreating. In July, the climate in southern Liaoning was pleasant—so why did Commander Niu Jinda decide to withdraw? One key reason was the persistent drought in the region, sometimes even experiencing “rain of soil” (dust storms), making continued warfare unfavorable. Moreover, Niu Jinda, having “marched from Yulin” (at the time, areas such as Pulandian and Pikou were under Yulin jurisdiction), found his troops “short of water, exhausted, and the horses weary.” He had to dispatch “scouting cavalry” ahead to “search for water.” One scout reported discovering a spring within an “ancient fortress surrounded by mountains on all sides.” Niu Jinda rode swiftly to inspect it and indeed found “a hidden spring amidst thick grass,” which “flowed abundantly, sweet and thirst-quenching.” Niu Jinda dismounted and bowed in gratitude, “giving thanks to heaven.” He set up camp there and held a ritual beside the spring, “building an earthen altar to offer prayers.” Based on Niu Jinda’s marching route and the timeline, this “mountain fortress surrounded by hills” is believed to be today’s Weiba Mountain Fortress.

Qingquan Temple is situated in Weiba Mountain within Putaogou, Xingtai Town, Pulandian City. It follows the mountain’s contour, rising majestically in tiers. It stretches 279 meters from east to west and 129 meters from north to south. Also called Wugu City Temple, Wugu City is built with cone-shaped, cross-shaped granite blocks, with existing walls standing 2–9 meters high. Though over a thousand years old, the city remains largely intact. Historical inscriptions claim it was constructed during the “Eastern Han Guangwu Restoration,” dating back more than 1,800 years.

Qingquan Temple consists of four sections: the first includes the mountain gate tower and a white marble poetry screen; the second houses the Buddha Hall, Ersheng Hall, Medicine King Hall, Dragon King Hall, bell tower, drum tower, and stone tablets; the third features the Jade Emperor Pavilion and Laojun Hall; and the fourth is the Golden Mother Hall. Covering an area of 4,500 square meters with a construction area of 9,800 square meters, the temple complex boasts an elegant and unique architectural style, blending flush-gable and hip-and-gable roof designs. Although it is a Buddhist temple, it uniquely integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, earning the title “The Foremost Temple of Southern Liaoning.”

One theory suggests that the inscription “Temple Built by the Tang Emperor” refers to its construction during Emperor Taizong’s Zhenguan era.

During Emperor Taizong’s eastern campaign, General Niu Jinda built the temple here. Spanning the Five Dynasties, Northern and Southern Dynasties, Liao, and Jin dynasties, it was not until the 35th year of the Ming Wanli era (648–1067) that Wugu renovated it. With nearly a thousand years of history, no historical records or inscriptions have been found to confirm its early years. Based on current inscriptions and accounts from the surviving Buddhist nun Shixiu Zhen, it is estimated that from the temple’s founding in 648 AD to the present, there have been 32 generations of senior monks and nuns. From the 49th year of the Kangxi reign (1710) to the 5th year of the Qianlong reign (1740), the abbot monk Chongquan, also known by his Taoist name Guangming (originally surnamed Yu, from Haiyang, Shandong), devoted over 30 years to restoring the temple, passing away at the age of 70 (1671–1740).

After Guangming’s passing, his senior disciple Xianfa “specially carved into the mountain” behind the Buddha Hall in 1759 to build the Western Queen Mother Golden Mother Hall. From 1841 (the 21st year of the Daoguang reign) to 1864 (the 3rd year of the Tongzhi reign), Abbot Shaozhen expanded the temple by adding the Medicine King Hall and five meditation rooms. Taoist lay practitioners Gong Xiangnan (from Xinglongbao, Tangjiafang Town, Pulandian City) and Zou Yansong (from Bajiazi, Pikou Town, Pulandian City) began construction in 1927 (the 16th year of the Republic of China), spending over a decade to add the Jade Emperor Pavilion, Laojun Hall, mountain gate walls, bells and drums, golden cauldron jade screens, sky bridge flagpoles, and security fire pools. Later, leadership passed through Abbots Zhaoru, Nun Si’en, and Monk Sizhi.

Buddhist nun Shixiu Zhen (maiden name Zhao, born in 1929 in Zhaojia Village, Zanzihe, Pulandian City) devoted herself to Buddhism at the age of 12 and left home at 23 to come to Qingquan Temple. She has served as the abbess since 1955.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province