Nantong Guangjiao Temple Scenic Area

Nantong Guangjiao Temple Scenic Area

Nantong Guangjiao Temple Scenic Area is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guangjiao Temple was built in the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty (669 AD), making it an ancient temple with over 1,300 years of history. According to the *Tongzhou Annals*, “In the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty, the Great Buddha’s Hall, various pavilions, and the abbot’s quarters were constructed here.” The mountain was surrounded by vast waters, so boats were used to cross, and the site was originally called Cihang Monastery, later renamed Guangjiao Temple. The founding patriarch enshrined at Wolf Mountain is Monk Shangjia, also known as the Great Sage of Wolf Mountain. Legend has it that at the time, Wolf Mountain was occupied by a white wolf spirit. The Great Sage Monk Shangjia battled the spirit using his Buddhist powers, covering the entire mountain with his kasaya robe to subdue the evil wolf. The white wolf had no choice but to relinquish the mountain. From then on, incense offerings flourished here, making it a Buddhist sacred land. Shangjia was a renowned high monk of the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, he traveled to Chang’an and Luoyang, treating illnesses and gaining widespread fame. When he traveled south through the Jianghuai region, he cured diseases and managed waterworks, earning the praise of the people. Emperor Zhongzong of Tang honored him as National Preceptor. Later generations refer to him as the “Great Sage Bodhisattva.”

The temple complex of Guangjiao Temple is spread across Wolf Mountain, divided into upper and lower sections. The lower section includes structures such as the Great Buddha’s Hall, the Scripture Repository Hall, the Hall of Great Mercy, the Vajra Hall, the Scripture Tower, the Scripture-Drying Tower, the Pillow Mountain Tower, the abbot’s quarters, and monks’ dormitories. At the mountaintop lies the main architectural ensemble of Guangjiao Temple, featuring the Mountain Gate, the Cuijing Tower, the Yuantong Treasure Hall, the Great Sage Hall, as well as the Sunflower and Bamboo Mountain House, the Three Immortals Shrine, and the Zhiyun Pagoda. Surrounding Guangjiao Temple are also cultural sites such as the tomb of Luo Binwang, a Tang Dynasty literary figure, the River-Viewing Pavilion, the Imperial Stele Pavilion, the Pingwo Stele Pavilion, and the tomb of Bai Yayu, a revolutionary from the late Qing Dynasty. Natural attractions include the Twin-Eye Rock, Pigeon Rock, Leiluo Rock, Cold Jade Spring, Famous Plate Awakening Rock, Immortal Cave, Pure Wisdom Spring, Inscription Slope, Lion Rock, Dripping Pearl Rock, and Sea Moon Rock.