Pulandian Guan Di Temple

Pulandian Guan Di Temple

Pulandian Guan Di Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Guan Di Temple is located within Nanshan Park in Pulandian City and was first built during the Qing Dynasty. Unlike other ancient temples, it does not face south but instead looks north, perched high on Nanshan Mountain, overlooking the entire urban area of Pulandian. The original architectural layout was very simple, consisting of only a main hall that was three bays wide and one bay deep, featuring a flush-gable roof in a style that is quite rustic and plain.

The temple is called Guan Di Temple because it enshrines Guan Yu and belongs to Taoist temples. The temple was repaired during the Republic of China period, later suffered damage, was rebuilt in 1992, and was designated as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit in 1993. The 17th day of the ninth lunar month is the “Incense Burning Day.”

The current temple has three main halls: the central one is the main hall, the right one is the Jade Emperor Hall, and the left one is the Three Saints Hall. On the side, there are also statues such as that of Guanyin Bodhisattva and Maitreya Buddha. Next to the mountain gate, there is also a plaque inscribed with “Dalian Pulandian City Buddhist Cultural Exchange Association,” adding Buddhist elements to the temple.

In the center of the main hall is enshrined Guan Yu, with the God of Wealth and the God of Fire on either side, as well as statues of loyal generals such as Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Zhao Lei, and Wang Fu, all vivid and moving. The Jade Emperor Hall enshrines the Jade Emperor, Laozi, and the Queen Mother of the West, as well as the Dragon King, the Medicine King, the God of Literature, and the Goddess of Childbirth. The Three Saints Hall enshrines the Three Saints of the West.

The couplets at the mountain gate and the main hall are quite interesting. The couplet at the mountain gate reads: “Brother Xuande, Brother Yide, together they fought Mengde; Mentor Wolong, Friend Zilong, together they protected the True Dragon.” The couplet in the main hall reads: “Brother Xuande, Brother Yide — virtuous brothers; Mentor Wolong, Friend Zilong — dragon’s mentor and friend.” Both couplets share the same horizontal inscription: “The One Since Ancient Times.” On either side of the statue of Guan Yu in the main hall, there is another couplet: “Holding a candle through the Spring and Autumn Annals, undying loyalty remains through the ages; A divine heart that comprehends heaven and earth, eternal wisdom lives on for millennia.” Above the main hall, there are also three plaques inscribed with “Mighty Guardian of China,” “Noble Righteousness,” and “Wealth Through Virtue.”

There are also several ancient steles in the courtyard, the earliest of which dates back to the Qianlong era, although the inscriptions have become blurred.

Scenic Area Address: Within Nanshan Park, Pulandian City, Dalian, Liaoning Province

Transportation: Take bus No. 106 from Dalian and get off at Nanshan Park Station.