Tongluo Puci Temple

Tongluo Puci Temple

Tongluo Puci Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Puci Temple is located at the western end of the ancient Tongluo district in Taoyuan Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City. Originally named Shuibei Temple (?), it was first built in the early years of the Jianyan era of the Song Dynasty (1127), established by Monk Zhiqin. It was rebuilt in the 23rd year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1595) by Monk Zhiyuan, and reconstructed again in the 4th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1739) by Monk Tiancheng Faji. Having endured the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the temple has a history of 880 years. However, due to generations of warfare and conflicts, it was eventually destroyed in the turmoil of war.

Puci Temple mainly consists of the Mahavira Hall, the Fenyang King Hall, as well as the Heavenly King Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, side halls, bell and drum towers, the mountain gate, and the terrace. The total construction area of the restoration and reconstruction project of Puci Temple is nearly 2,000 square meters.

The Fenyang King Temple was originally the family temple of the Guo clan, but over time, it came to be regarded by local people as a protective deity and was worshipped with great reverence. On the birthdays of the Fenyang King and the various generals under his command, villagers would always offer theatrical performances in celebration, with dozens of plays performed each year. The presence of the Fenyang King Temple led the local area to be called the Fenyang Region, which was further divided into the Fenyang Grand Society, the Fenyang Ancestral Society, and the Fenyang Eastern Society, collectively known as the Three Fenyang Societies. Many local features were named after Fenyang, such as Fenyang Stream, Fenyang Pavilion, Fenyang Well, Fenyang Bridge, Fenyang Park, Fenyang Market, Fenyang New Village, Fenyang Distillery, and Fenyang Daily Goods Store. Even overseas residents from Changle in the United States established a Fenyang Guild Hall. The Fenyang King became a bond connecting Changle people both at home and abroad.

Temples dedicated to Guo Ziyi, the Fenyang King, are mostly found in northern China. Therefore, the ancient structure — the Fenyang King Temple — located at the western end of the ancient Tongluo district in Taoyuan Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, stands out as quite rare in the Jiangnan region. This temple was first built in the 7th year of the Qiandao era of the Song Dynasty (1171), and rebuilt in the 10th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1671), boasting a history of over 830 years. The existing rear hall has five bays, along with two side rooms. The rear hall houses polychrome painted statues, and the site is designated as a cultural relic control unit of Wujiang City.