Tang Dynasty Clerical Script and Song Dynasty Seal Script Cliff Inscriptions at Yulin Temple

Tang Dynasty Clerical Script and Song Dynasty Seal Script Cliff Inscriptions at Yulin Temple

Tang Dynasty Clerical Script and Song Dynasty Seal Script Cliff Inscriptions at Yulin Temple

Not far west of the Huaguo Mountain entrance, there was originally the Yulin Temple built during the Kaihuang era (581–606 AD) of the Sui Dynasty. More than 1,400 years later, its ruins can still be pointed out, thanks entirely to the Tang Dynasty stele on the cliff face titled "Record of the Eastern Cliff of Yulin Temple in Donghai County." The Tang stele is carved on a naturally flat, massive rock slab, with a smooth surface measuring 2 meters in height and 3.8 meters in width. The powerful clerical script exudes a grand and vigorous spirit. Due to the high quality of the stone, the inscription has remained clear and fresh as if newly carved, surviving from the Tang Dynasty to the present—an extremely rare treasure in China.

"Record of the Eastern Cliff of Yulin Temple in Donghai County" is a beautiful travelogue prose piece, narrating how Cui Weiping, the Sima (prefectural administrator) of Haizhou, visited this place while inspecting the coastal defenses. The text depicts the local natural landscape and provides a detailed account of how local official Yuan Nuan developed the Feiquan (Flying Spring) scenic spot. It describes how he personally planned and designed the area, cleared away all weeds, removed dangerous rocks, built embankments to collect rainwater from upstream, and ensured that the waterfall flowed year-round. He also planted flowers and trees that blossomed in different seasons, creating a vibrant, fairy-tale-like setting around the flying spring. This is the first-ever article in the history of Yuntai Mountain to document tourism development.

Opposite the Tang stele is a large cliff engraving from the Song Dynasty, also well-preserved and dating back a thousand years. The inscription is written in the form of three-character poetry, recounting how three friends sailed across the sea, hiked up the mountain, and drank together all day. The poem was composed by Zu Wuzhe, inscribed in small seal script by Su Tangqing, and carved by Wang Gonggong. All three elements represent the high artistic standards of their time, which is why later generations have called it the "Three Perfections Stele."

Source: Party History Research Office of the CPC Lianyungang Municipal Committee