Shenyang East Pagoda Yongguang Temple

Shenyang East Pagoda Yongguang Temple

Shenyang East Pagoda Yongguang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yongguang Temple on the East Pagoda was built in the second month of spring in the eighth year of the Chongde reign during the Qing Dynasty (1643 AD) and completed in the second month of summer in the second year of the Shunzhi reign (1645 AD). It was one of the four pagodas surrounding the old city of Shengjing to the east, west, south, and north. According to an inscription in the temple: “The eastern one, illuminating wisdom like a bright lamp, is named Yongguang Temple; the southern one, bringing peace to the people, is named Guangci Temple; the western one, praying devoutly for the emperor’s longevity, is named Yanshou Temple; the northern one, spreading the true dharma, is named 0 Temple.” The four pagoda temples symbolize the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the nation with their might, protect the country and its people, ensure “no disasters befall the nation,” and bring “all five blessings together.”

Emperor Qianlong once inscribed plaques for the four temples, which were hung in their main halls. Yongguang Temple was inscribed with “Benevolence Nurtures All Spirits,” Yanshou Temple with “Auspicious Light of Golden Millet,” Guangci Temple with “Vast Mind Reaching the Other Shore,” and 0 Temple with “Golden Mirror Encircling the Garden.”

Dongta Park covers a large area, bordered by Dongta Street to the east, the South Canal to the west, and Chang’an Road to the south, while its northern side is occupied by factories and restaurants. The East Pagoda stands quietly in the northeast corner of the park. On the southern side of the park, near the canal, there is a pavilion-like structure. In the northwest and north-northwest corners of the park, there are two small buildings, each housing a stone stele. The rest of the park is covered with trees, with winding paths in between.

The East Pagoda was originally named Huguo Yongguang Temple and housed a lama pagoda and other structures. According to the construction system of the time, the four pagodas and temples were of the same scale, differing only in the deities enshrined. However, today only the white pagoda remains at the East Pagoda site—the rest is gone. Therefore, the current area is called “Dongta Park” rather than Huguo Yongguang Temple, possibly for this reason. However, based on some current rumors, there may be a possibility of reconstructing Yongguang Temple.

Scenic Area Address: Dongta Street, Dadong District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province

Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 (toward Quanyun Road) in downtown Shenyang, get off at Qingnian Dajie Station; or take Metro Line 1 (toward Liming Square), get off at Liming Guangchang Station (Exit A). Alternatively, you can take bus routes such as 243, 130, or 214 in downtown Shenyang to reach the site.