Dongtai Taishan Temple

Dongtai Taishan Temple

Dongtai Taishan Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Taishan Huguo Chan Temple, also known as Taishan Temple, is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism destination. Located in the Xixi Scenic Area of Dongtai City and adjacent to the Haichunxuan Pagoda, it was built during the Jiading era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1208–1224) and has a history of nearly 800 years. The temple measures 199.9 meters from north to south and 194 meters from east to west, covering an area of 38,800 square meters with 99.5 halls. Taishan Temple is known for its “one temple, five shrines” layout. Within the temple are structures such as the Heavenly King Hall, Jade Buddha Pavilion, Mahavira Hall, Dongyue Hall, Bixia Palace, Four Famous Mountains Hall, Buddhist Rhyme Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, and Guanyin Hall. On both sides are five auxiliary shrines dedicated to Guan Yu (later renamed Guan-Yue), Taijun, Hua Tuo, Lu Ban, and Shennong. The arrangement between the various halls and courtyards is rigorous, symmetrical, solemn, and harmonious. Behind the Ksitigarbha Hall lies a small earthen hill known as Tianfei Mountain. The temple also houses numerous cultural relics and historic artifacts, such as Han Dynasty stone-carved Buddha statues, Sui Dynasty broadswords, Tang Dynasty halberds, ancient stone lions, and carved stones from ancient mountain gates.

Following the winding mountain path and climbing the steps, you’ll find a serene and secluded trail. Dense, towering trees line both sides of the road, and every few dozen meters, there is a rectangular cement platform for people to rest and relax. Not far into Taishan Temple, you’ll soon arrive at the Heavenly King Hall. As the first hall of a Buddhist temple, it is named for enshrining the Four Heavenly Kings. Inside sits the smiling Maitreya Bodhisattva, who, according to Buddhist scriptures, is the future Buddha destined to succeed Shakyamuni Buddha. Maitreya is a widely worshipped and popular deity among the Chinese populace. It is said that this Buddha is always compassionate. Behind the Maitreya Bodhisattva stands Skanda, the guardian deity clad in armor and wielding a vajra. On either side are the Four Heavenly Kings—majestic, imposing, and depicted with fierce expressions. The first on the left is Dhritarashtra, the Heavenly King of the East; the second is Virudhaka, the Heavenly King of the South. On the right, the first is Virupaksha, the Heavenly King of the West, and the second is Vaishravana, the Heavenly King of the North, commonly referred to as the Four Great Heavenly Kings. They symbolize the blessings of favorable weather, peace, and abundant harvests. Moving forward, on the left side of the path is the statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, while on the right is the Guanyin Cave, above which stands a spacious pavilion.

Straight ahead lies the grand Mahavira Hall. Climbing to the mountaintop and looking into the distance, the view is incredibly vast and spectacular. Watching the sunrise, sea of clouds, and sunset glow is thrilling, with the beautiful scenery of Xuzhou spread out before your eyes, filling you with a sense of refreshment and inspiration—a feeling akin to “reaching the summit and overlooking all the other peaks.” The Mahavira Hall of Taishan Temple is said to be the largest of its kind in the Xuzhou region. It is reported that the grand structure can be seen from up to 10 kilometers away. The renovated Mahavira Hall cost over 5 million yuan, all self-raised by the temple, and is more than 20 times larger than the previous one. The main hall of the Mahavira Hall is 25 meters long, 20 meters wide, 19 meters high, and covers an area of over 500 square meters.

The completion of the Mahavira Hall gives the entire Taishan Temple a depth of 300 meters and a width of 100 meters, forming three courtyards along the mountain slope. From front to back, they are the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Bixia Yuanjun Hall.

At the very top of Taishan Temple is the renowned Bixia Yuanjun Hall (also commonly called the Goddess of Mount Tai Hall by the public), with sizable auxiliary halls on both sides. In front of the Goddess of Mount Tai Hall is an incense burner, perpetually shrouded in smoke. Year-round, devout men and women come here to offer incense and pay their respects, never ceasing in their numbers.