Taiqing Temple

Taiqing Temple

Taiqing Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Taiqing Temple is located at the foot of Jilong Mountain, 20 kilometers east of Jiangyin City, within Xiangyang Village, Huashi Town. To the south lies Huaxi Village in Huashi Town, known as the “No. 1 Village Under Heaven,” and to the north is Xiangyang Resort. Also known as Taiqing Temple, it was first built during the Chiwu era of the Three Kingdoms period (238–250 AD), boasting a history of over 1,700 years. Legend has it that it was built by Lady Wu, the mother of Sun Quan, the King of Wu during the Eastern Wu Dynasty (it is said that Lady Wu built seven temples and eight pagodas in the Jiangnan region, and Taiqing Temple was one of them).

In the third year of the Tiangu era of the Tang Dynasty (906), local residents Dai Sikuai and Lu Dun conspired to invite the monk Xu Lingsi to establish the temple. In the fourth year of the Jingde era of the Song Dynasty (1007), Emperor Zhenzong Zhao Heng bestowed the name “Jingde Monastery.” In the third year of the Tian Sheng era (1025), it was renamed “Taiqing Monastery.” During the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1341–1367), founding monk Zongyuan renamed it “Taiqing Temple.”

In the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368), “Taiqing Temple” was rebuilt. In the 24th year of Hongwu (1391), Emperor Taizu decreed the consolidation of temples nationwide. All 11 temples and monasteries located south of Longsha, from Huashan in the west to Gushan in the east in the southeastern region, were merged into Taiqing Temple. At that time, Li Zhi donated 100 stones of rice to relocate and rebuild the Buddha hall of Taiqing Temple. In the first year of the Chenghua era (1470), the abbot Deshu renovated the halls and corridors. Bian Rong, a local official from the Ministry of Revenue, wrote the “Record of the Reconstruction of Taiqing Temple” and had a stone tablet inscribed with the “Record of the Reconstruction of Taiqing Temple.” The tablet remains preserved in the temple. At its peak, the temple had 5,048 halls and rooms, with the mountain gate located at Taishi Bridge. The monks had to ride horses to open and close the gates. A poem by the Ming scholar Gong Hexun titled “Visiting Taiqing Temple” reads: “Entering the temple, no people are seen, only the sounds of chickens and dogs; stepping into the pine forests, the mountain monks return from the desolate heights.” Over time, it experienced multiple periods of decline and restoration.

In the 36th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, the monk Haoran raised funds to build the main hall; in the 12th year of the Yongzheng era, the Heavenly King Hall was rebuilt; and in the seventh year of the Daoguang era, the monk Daru reconstructed the rear courtyard. By the 10th year of the Xianfeng era (1860), the temple was completely destroyed in war. It underwent cycles of rise and fall, gradually falling into disrepair. In the fourth year of the Tongzhi era (1865), Li Zhouliang donated funds for reconstruction. In the 9th year of the Republic of China (1920), Taiqing Temple donated 18 acres of land to establish Huangshi Primary School. By the 19th year (1929), the temple had over 50 rooms, but all Buddha statues had been destroyed, and it was used as a County Peasant Education Hall. By the 24th year (1935), it had 10 acres of land and 40 rooms. The temple’s income from incense offerings, land, and local donations was used to support local education. In 1937, when the Japanese invaded Jiangyin, Taiqing Temple suffered severe damage—the halls were destroyed, and the abbot Jingyu was killed. The temple was later relocated and reduced in size due to the construction of the Chengqin Highway. Thereafter, it fell into long-term disrepair and continued to deteriorate.

In the early years after liberation, only two monks remained at the temple. The government allocated mountain land for their subsistence, and 21 rooms including the main hall and the Heavenly King Hall still stood. During the Cultural Revolution, all Buddha statues in Taiqing Temple were destroyed, the monks were sent away, and only a few rooms including the main hall and the Heavenly King Hall remained. Buddhist activities ceased.

In 1993, the Jiangyin Municipal People’s Government approved the reconstruction of Taiqing Temple and the resumption of Buddhist activities. Venerable Ming?, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and President of the Shanghai Buddhist Association, personally inscribed the three characters “Taiqing Temple” and composed a couplet for the mountain gate: “Tai Mountain rises a thousand zhang, untouched by a speck of dust, a pure land of Bodhi; the ancient site of purity, where myriad virtues converge in the realm of Prajna.” Today, in this flourishing era, the ancient temple thrives anew—its grand halls, solemn statues, and vibrant Buddhist activities shine alongside the scenery of Huaxi, making Taiqing Temple a renowned tourist destination in the Jiangnan region.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: Chenglu Road, Huashi Town, Jiangyin City, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province

Transit Routes: Take bus routes 202, 203, 205, or 222 within Jiangyin City and get off at the Taiqing Temple stop.

Huashi Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Jiangyin City. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was a local cotton market, once called Huashi. In 1949, it was named Huashu Town; in 1957, Huashu Township was established; in 1958, it became a commune; in 1962, it reverted to Huashu Town; in 1965, it was renamed Huashi Town; in 1984, it became a township; and in 1985, it was re-established as a town. Located in the southeastern part of the city, it is 25 kilometers from downtown Jiangyin and 46 kilometers from downtown Wuxi. Covering an area of 46 square kilometers with a population of 58,000, Chenglu Road runs east-west through the town center, connecting to Hualu Road and Huaxi Road. The Qinqing River flows east-west through the middle of the town. The town governs Huaxi, Xiangyang, Huashi, Huaming… Huashi Town detailed information++