Yan'an Temple in Lishui

Yan'an Temple in Lishui

Yan'an Temple in Lishui is a cultural tourism attraction.

Since ancient times, famous mountains have often been home to treasured temples. The renowned Dajinshan Scenic Area is now bathed in the light of Buddha and filled with the fragrance of incense. After enduring a thousand years of rise and fall, Yan'an Temple has once again shone with Buddhist radiance amidst this picturesque mountain landscape. Facing south and nestled against the northern slope, Yan'an Temple was meticulously sited—backed by a mountain, with water to the east and open land to the southwest. Overlooking from the main peak of Dajinshan, Dongping Lake winds around the mountains with vast, misty waters; to the south, Donglushan Mountain is covered in dense forests and veiled in fog. Beside the temple lies a heavenly pool, where clear blue water reflects the surrounding woods, and black swans and mandarin ducks play in the water. On the shore, a figure resembling Jiang Ziya sits at the fishing platform, listening to the evening drums and morning bells. In the pine forest behind the main hall, there is also a stone sculpture of the twelve zodiac animals, exquisitely crafted.

The temple adopts the hip-and-gable roof architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. The entire complex is built against the mountain, presenting a magnificent view from above and towering majestically when viewed from below. The main hall, three bays wide and facing south, stands upright and imposing, with carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves adorned with mythical creatures on the corners, giving the whole structure a grand and majestic atmosphere. Above the main entrance hangs a plaque inscribed with “Yan’an Temple,” and on either side of the door are gilded couplets. The upper line reads: “The solemn visage of the Buddha spreads boundless compassion and virtue”; the lower line reads: “The pure and resonant Buddhist chants prolong peace and prosperity.” The name “Yan’an,” hidden within the temple’s title, is subtly embedded here.

Entering the main hall’s Buddha chamber, the central shrine enshrines the Medicine Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. To the sides are a Thousand Buddha Pagoda and the Eighteen Arhats, who stand guard valiantly. The beams and curtains feature carvings of dragons playing with pearls and lotus patterns, making the entire chamber delicate and elegant. The eastern side room displays glass cases of blessed ornaments, where devotees can also have their fortunes told and horoscopes read; the western side room serves as a guest area and houses statues of the God of Longevity and the Guardian Deity Skanda. In the square, there are two incense burners, whose eaves are also adorned with copper wind chimes and mythical creatures. Not far away stands a heavy bronze bell said to weigh 5,000 jin—you can reverently strike the bell with the striker to pray for blessings, wealth, longevity, and prosperity.

The sound of the bell is deep and far-reaching, while the wooden fish produces a pure, continuous rhythm, cleansing the heart and mind in an instant. Who would have thought that Yan'an Temple, having risen and fallen many times, would once again burn with incense amidst this spiritually rich mountain and water setting? From its birth in 847 AD to its rebirth in 2011 AD, Yan'an Temple has traversed 1,164 years of vicissitudes and change.