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 a history of over 1,300 years. According to the *Tongzhou Annals*: “In the second year of Zongzhang, the Great Buddha’s Hall, pavilions, and abbot’s quarters were constructed on the mountain, which was surrounded by vast waters at the time. Boats were used to ferry people across, and the site was called Cihang Monastery before being renamed Guangjiao Temple.” The founding patriarch enshrined on Langshan Mountain is Monk Sengjia, also known as the Great Sage of Langshan. Legend has it that Langshan was once occupied by a white wolf demon. The Bodhisattva Sengjia battled the demon using his kasaya (monk’s robe), which he spread over the entire mountain to subdue the evil wolf. The white wolf had no choice but to relinquish the mountain. Since then, incense offerings flourished here, turning it into a Buddhist sacred land. Sengjia was a renowned high monk of the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he traveled to Chang’an and Luoyang, treating illnesses and gaining great fame. When he journeyed south through the Jianghuai region, he cured diseases and managed waterworks, earning praise from the people. Emperor Zhongzong of Tang honored him as the National Preceptor. Later generations refer to him as the “Great Sage Bodhisattva.”

The temple complex of Guangjiao Temple is spread across Langshan Mountain, divided into upper and lower sections. The lower section includes structures such as the Great Buddha’s Hall, Scripture Wheel Hall, Great Compassion Hall, Vajra Hall, Scripture Depository, Sutra Drying Tower, Pillow Mountain Tower, abbot’s quarters, and monks’ dormitories. The mountaintop houses the main architectural complex of Guangjiao Temple, featuring the Mountain Gate, Cuijing Tower, Yuantong Treasure Hall, Great Sage Hall, as well as the Sunflower and Bamboo Mountain House, Three Immortals Shrine, and Zhiyun Pagoda. Surrounding Guangjiao Temple are other attractions such as the tomb of Luo Binwang, a Tang Dynasty literary figure, Wangjiang Pavilion, Imperial Stele Pavilion, Pingwo Stele Pavilion, and the tomb of Bai Yayu, a revolutionary from the late Qing Dynasty. Notable scenic spots include Twin-Eye Rock, Pigeon Rock, Leiluo Jetty, Cold Jade Spring, Famous Plate Awakening Rock, Immortal’s Cave, Pure Wisdom Spring, Inscribed Slope, Lion Rock, Dripping Pearl Rock, and Sea Moon Rock.