Shihuanshan Taoist Temple in Suzhou

Shihuanshan Taoist Temple in Suzhou

Suzhou’s Tiger Hill, Lingyan Mountain, and Tianping Mountain are world-renowned, but Chenghuanshan, located in Yuexi, Wujiang Economic Development Zone, Suzhou, is not as famous as these three. However, the legends of the Wu Palace, tales of Taoist immortals, the temple architecture, and the religious tourism culture on the mountain have made it widely celebrated, turning it into a notable peak in Suzhou.

It is recorded that Chenghuanshan is an extension of the Wushan Ridge. It became famous during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods when King Fuchai of Wu and Xi Shi once came here to fetch clear spring water to groom and apply makeup. At that time, King Goujian of Yue endured hardship to plot his revenge. To please King Fuchai, he presented the beauty Xi Shi to him. After Xi Shi arrived in the Wu Kingdom, she remained unhappy all day. To cheer her up, King Fuchai often took her and the royal family members hunting in this area for leisure and pleasure. He even planned to build a palace city here, which is how Chenghuanshan got its name. Climbing Chenghuanshan, you can look south to see the thriving and vibrant Wujiang Economic Development Zone; west to gaze at the vast and misty Taihu Lake stretching endlessly; north to view the layered peaks of Shihu Lake, where the mountains and rivers are bright and beautiful; east to watch the sunrise, with lush pines and bamboos enveloped in rising mist — a typical pastoral scenery of the Jiangnan water town. All of this creates a series of beautiful landscapes, embodying the feeling of “having the entire 800-li expanse of Taihu Lake before your eyes and silently counting three thousand years of history in your heart.” Today’s Chenghuanshan features distant views of yellow walls and green tiles, pavilions, towers, and solemn halls stretching continuously over the mountaintop. Occasionally, thin clouds drift by, making the sights appear and disappear intermittently. From time to time, the melodies of Taoist celestial music drift through the mountains. As the saying goes, “The lofty palace rises into the blue clouds, and the celestial music wafts gently everywhere.” It feels as if this place is a pure land on earth, a utopia. The desire to “visit the timeless famous mountain of Wu and Yue and uncover the mysteries of Taoism’s true teachings” naturally arises.

Chenghuanshan is less than 100 meters above sea level. As the saying goes, “A mountain need not be high — with immortals, it will be famous.” The renowned Chenghuanshan Taoist Temple is located on this mountain. According to Taoist Master Xu Jinquan, president of the Wujiang District Taoist Association, Chenghuanshan Taoist Temple was first built during the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty, flourished in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, and was destroyed in the early years of the Republic of China. Over the years, it experienced several rises and falls, undergoing many changes. Chenghuanshan Taoist Temple fluctuated in prominence across the land of Wu and Yue. With the relentless tide of history, this millennium-old temple, weathered by vicissitudes, eventually faded away into the mist and rain with the unstoppable wheel of history.

The Chenghuanshan Taoist Temple enshrines more than 100 Taoist deities, such as the God of Wealth, the Jade Emperor, Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Three Pure Ones, the God of Literature Wenchang, and the Sixty Stars of the Jiazi cycle. The statues are exquisitely crafted by skilled artisans, appearing solemn, ancient, and lifelike. In the Hall of the Jade Emperor, the Star Goddess Doumu and the Sixty Jiazi are enshrined, with highly refined sculptural artistry. Legend has it that when the Celestial Master Taiyi traveled through southern Jiangnan, he saw the hardworking people of Wu and Yue — men plowing fields and women working at home — living in peace and prosperity, with lives as blissful as those of immortals. He thought, why not allow the people to live long and happy lives? So, he petitioned the Jade Emperor, who then commanded the Star Goddess Doumu to lead the Sixty Jiazi to descend upon Chenghuanshan, praying for peace and safety, good fortune, and happiness for all beings every year. Thus, the annual temple fair for “Praying to the God of the Year and Seeking Safety,” held from midnight on New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, has been passed down to this day. Kind-hearted people always hope to pray to their own birth star deity for protection in the new year, wishing for safety and success in all their endeavors.

Transportation Guide

Temple Address: Zhangqiao Village, Chenghuanshan, Yuexi Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Bus Routes: Take bus No. 552, 585, or others within Suzhou City and get off at Zhangqiao Village East Station. Walk north to reach the site.