Qiyu Temple in Qidong

Qiyu Temple in Qidong

Qiyu Temple in Qidong is a cultural tourism attraction.

To pray for good fortune, you can visit Qiyu Temple, known as the “First Temple to See the Sunrise in the East,” the “First Temple at the Confluence of Three Waters,” and the “First Temple to Stand at the Dragon’s Head.” Here, you can enjoy the blessings of all rivers flowing into the sea and the spiritual energy of radiant sunlight.

● First Temple to See the Sunrise

Qiyu Temple is located in Yinhuang Town, within the jurisdiction of Qidong City, Jiangsu Province. Geographically, Qiyu Temple lies at the farthest eastern point of Yinhuang Town, which itself is at the easternmost edge of Qidong City. Qidong City is situated at the easternmost part of Jiangsu Province, and Jiangsu Province is located at the easternmost part of China. Due to this unique geographical position, the sunrise can be seen here during the Yin hour (Beijing Time: 3:00–5:00 AM), about an hour earlier than in other places. As a result, the town is named “Yinhuang” (meaning “Yin Hour Yang”). Qiyu Temple thus becomes the earliest place in Jiangsu to witness the sunrise, making it the first temple in the country to bathe in the morning light of the east, earning the reputation of the “First Temple to See the Sunrise in the East.”

● First Temple at the Confluence of Three Waters

The mighty Yangtze River, revered as the “Mother River” by the Chinese people, surges toward the sea and finally meets the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea in Qidong. Here, the vast East China Sea also converges with the majestic Yellow Sea. Qiyu Temple is built at the spot where the Yangtze River flows into the sea and where these three waters meet. Right in front of the temple, you can witness the unparalleled natural wonder of the “convergence of two seas and one river—the three waters.” This unique geographical location makes Qiyu Temple the only temple in China located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, and even the only temple in the world situated at the meeting point of two oceans and one major river.

● First Temple to Stand at the Dragon’s Head

Qidong City, where Qiyu Temple is located, lies at the easternmost tip of the Yangtze River Delta, at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It is surrounded by the Yangtze River to the south, faces the vast Yellow Sea to the north, and borders the expansive East China Sea to the east, forming a unique geographical pattern of being surrounded by water on three sides. Its peninsula-like terrain makes Qidong resemble a mighty dragon charging bravely into the sea, and Qiyu Temple is situated right at the dragon’s head. Thus, it becomes a temple that “stands at the dragon’s head,” enjoying the feng shui of abundant natural beauty and exceptional human talent.

Offshore Engineering & Shipbuilding Industrial Park (Yinhuang Town): The town covers a total area of 7,600 hectares, including 3,101.87 hectares of arable land and 4,498.13 hectares of tidal flats. It has a total population of 37,800 and administers 15 administrative villages and 1 neighborhood committee. In 2004, the town achieved a GDP of 700 million yuan, fiscal revenue of 31 million yuan, and an average rural per capita income of 4,850 yuan.

In 2004, the town achieved a total industrial output value of 1.053 billion yuan, sales revenue of 1.008 billion yuan, profits of 58.75 million yuan, and technical renovation investment of 141 million yuan.

… Offshore Engineering & Shipbuilding Industrial Park (Yinhuang Town) detailed information++