Shenyang Zhonghua Temple

Shenyang Zhonghua Temple

Shenyang Zhonghua Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Zhonghua Temple scenic area is located by the Lagu River in Zhonghua Temple Village, Wangbin Township, Dongling District, Shenyang City, and Liushan Village, Lagu Township, Fushun County, spanning both Shenyang and Fushun cities. It is approximately 20 kilometers from downtown Fushun. The temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty, boasting a history of over a thousand years. Originally named Lingshan Temple.

Zhonghua Temple was first built in the flourishing Tang Dynasty, with a history of over a thousand years. Legend has it that Wei Zheng, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, once observed the stars at night and noticed the dragon vein of the Ling Mountain Range in the eastern land. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, fearing it might threaten the Tang Dynasty’s rule, ordered the construction of the renowned Lingshan Temple. The dragon was subdued, but two of its sons managed to escape. With the Chinese characters "Zhong Hua" (中华) on their heads, they transformed into python immortals appearing at Lingshan—one to guard the subdued dragon king and the other to protect the local people, praying for favorable weather and peace.

During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi, who returned to his hometown to worship ancestors, heard the story of the Tang-era Lingshan Temple subduing the dragon. He personally visited Lingshan and made a wish for the unification of the nation and an era of peace and prosperity. After achieving his goals of reclaiming Taiwan and suppressing the Three Feudatories Rebellion, Emperor Kangxi returned to the temple to fulfill his vow. In gratitude for the help of the two pythons, he expanded Lingshan Temple and renamed it Zhonghua Temple.

Unfortunately, this historically significant and famous Buddhist temple was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, leaving the ancient site in ruins and silent for decades. Zhonghua Temple was rebuilt in 2000. The reconstructed temple was designed by the renowned Tongji University, covering an area of 1,800 mu. The entire complex adopts the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, integrating Buddhism and Taoism, and features a grand and magnificent presence.

The current Zhonghua Temple Scenic Area consists of Zhonghua Temple, Wanshou Palace, the Chanting Hall, the Scripture Lecture Hall, the High Monks’ Pagoda Courtyard, the Zhonghua Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, as well as natural wonders such as the miraculous Guanyin Cave and the Python Immortal Cave.

As one of the centers of Northeastern Buddhist culture, Zhonghua Temple houses seven major Buddhist sacred halls: the Mahavira Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Manjusri Hall, the Samantabhadra Hall, and the Bell and Drum Tower. The murals inside the halls are richly colored, the statues are exquisitely lifelike, and legendary tales seem to leap out without needing textual explanation.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda is one of the main structures of Zhonghua Temple. The pagoda stands 38 meters tall and has five levels. Inside, it enshrines five gilded Buddha statues representing the east, west, south, north, and center. Upon its completion, the hall became one of the largest places for practice and worship in the Northeast.

Scenic area address: Zhonghua Temple Village, Wangbin Township, Dongling District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province

Transportation: Buses departing at 07:30 AM from Nanta Long-Distance Bus Station can take you there.