Dalian Qingquan Temple

Dalian Qingquan Temple

Dalian Qingquan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Qingquan Temple is located within Weiba Mountain City in Xingtai Town, Pulandian City, and features Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Situated on a flat area at the mouth of a valley, the temple has a rectangular layout and is one of the larger and better-preserved temples in Dalian. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan era, the temple faces east and is built along the slope of the hill, ascending in three rises and three descents to form six main halls with a total elevation change of 70 meters. It is surrounded by the lush green shade of ancient ginkgo trees.

The temple’s mountain gate features the carved characters “一洞天” (One Grotto Heaven) on its lintel, while its red doors are inscribed with the couplet “明齐日月、星合乾坤” (Bright as the sun and moon, aligned with heaven and earth). A white marble poetry screen forms a grand screen wall. Upon entering the temple, there stands a bronze ancient tripod over one person tall in the center, with incense smoke lingering around. On either side are symmetrically built bell and drum towers. A stone stele from the 21st year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty stands along the side of the courtyard. The two main halls are higher in the middle and lower on the sides, enshrining the Dragon King and the Medicine King respectively. The side halls on the left and right are symmetrically designed with flying eaves in a pavilion style, dedicated to the Jade Emperor and Laozi. Ascending dozens of stone steps between the two pavilions leads to the highest and largest hall in the temple — the Hall of the Goddess of Mercy. Although Qingquan Temple is a Buddhist site, it integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. It also reflects certain differences in religious practices between the ethnic minorities of Northeast China and the Central Plains region. Despite more than a thousand years of vicissitudes and the intermittent connections between the Central Plains and the northern frontier, the historical legacy of ancient Chinese civilization remains unbroken.

The temple is now well-preserved, with some damaged sections gradually being restored. The statues of deities inside are all protected by glass covers, and the murals on the walls depict landscapes with profound artistic conception and vividly portrayed figures. The temple fair held in early April each year attracts large crowds and is celebrated with great festivity.