Dashishan Yunquan Temple

Dashishan Yunquan Temple

Dashishan Yunquan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yunquan Temple is located in the valley of Dashishan Mountain in Shushan Village, Tong’an Town, Suzhou High-Tech District. It was first built during the Song Dynasty by Zen Master Zhenhu, who entered Dashishan and established the temple, originally naming it Yunquan Hermitage. Later, during the Yuan Dynasty’s Dade era, it flourished under the efforts of eminent monk Jueming, becoming one of the ten major temples in the Yangshan area of Suzhou.

The temple and hermitage enhance the beautiful scenery: two springs—Yun and Quan—cascade down from the rocks into a small pool, while another hidden spring feeds Wanghu Pool. During the late Qing Dynasty’s Taiping Rebellion, the temple and hermitage were completely burned down. Though soon rebuilt, they later suffered devastation by Japanese invaders. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, local residents spontaneously reconstructed the site. From then on, it was renamed Yunquan Temple. Unfortunately, it was destroyed once again during the Cultural Revolution.

Yunquan Temple, along with Baishi Pavilion, Moso Stone Steps, Zhao Yin Bridge, Immortal Bridge, Yiwan Screen, Yu Chen Stream, Green Pine Residence, Bayberry Ridge, Kuan Yun Pavilion, Ningxia Tower, Stone Well, Stone Dragon, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Sunset Rock, Guanyin Pavilion, and Jianhu Peak, forms the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Dashishan. The beauty of Yunquan Temple and Dashishan has attracted many literati and poets to visit and compose verses. Wu Kuan, a high-ranking official of the Ming Dynasty from Suzhou, left behind the following description: “Following the path inward, you enter lush, secluded woods where you might lose your way, but as you go deeper, you come upon a terrace where you can rest briefly. Looking up at the pavilions and towers, their beauty is beyond depiction. Climbing further, you reach them. There are tall pines and elegant bamboos lining the Stone Gate, and Buddhist halls, pavilions, and towers all ingeniously built on the rocks. Before you lies a deep ravine, dense with pines and bamboos, while the distant peaks of Taihu Lake stretch into view.” This passage vividly captures the rocky springs, temple scenes, mountain paths, bamboo forests, stone terraces, and the verdant beauty of the distant peaks.

To align with the overall planning of Shushan Ecological Park, the new Yunquan Temple integrates Buddhist culture, spring water culture, and poetry & couplet culture into its architectural complex and spatial environment, blending historical culture with ecological landscapes. The layout is divided into three main functional areas: one zone, one garden, and one society—namely, the Central Worship Zone, the Cultural Ink Garden, and the Dashishan Social Hub, all interconnected organically by corridors. The Central Worship Zone is situated along the central axis of Yunquan Temple and includes six functional sites: the Eco-Bodhi Plaza, the Mountain Gate & Heavenly King Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Main Hall, the Yunquan Pool, and the Scripture Depository. The Dashishan Social Hub, located on both sides of the Main Hall, is dedicated to researching the compatibility and extension between the [Dashishan Couplet] culture and Buddhist culture. The Stone Valley Ink Garden is a gathering place for calligraphy culture, mainly consisting of Book缘舫 (Book Edge Pavilion), Painting Rhyme Pavilion, Hanmo Pavilion (Ink Splendor Pavilion), Drunken Ink Tower, and Abbot’s Courtyard.