Weimo Temple

Weimo Temple

Weimo Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou City.

Weimo Temple

Located at the foot of Ruomao Peak in the central part of Yushan Mountain. It was first built in the first year of the Longxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1163), originally named Shiwu Weimo Nunnery. In the fourth year of the Xuande era (1429), the monk Tanfu constructed the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings and built a stone path, renaming it “Weimo Temple.” During the Wanli era, the monk Facheng built the Jinsu Hall, Buer Gate, and the Abbot’s Meditation Hall. At that time, it was as renowned as Xingfu and Sanfeng temples. It later fell into disrepair. During the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, local residents such as Lu Ruisheng and Qu Chenglin donated funds to build the Mahavira Hall, various halls, pavilions, monks’ quarters, storehouses, the mountain gate, and corridors. They also constructed pavilions, terraces, pools, and gardens behind the temple. The mountain gate bears a couplet written and inscribed by Zeng Huai: “A grand view where river meets sea; a splendid structure remnants of the Song and Liang.” The temple sits atop the mountain, with a southern view of Shanghu Lake, and from the “Sea-Viewing Tower,” one can gaze northward at the Yangtze River—offering exceptionally beautiful scenery. During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, the monk Yixu raised funds to rebuild the temple, and descendants of the Qu family also contributed to the restoration of the Sea-Viewing Tower. Around the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the temple fell into ruin due to long-term neglect and was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In 1983, it was rebuilt and renamed Weimo Mountain Villa. It was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Changshu City in November 1982.