Wenzhou Shuixin Taoist Temple

Wenzhou Shuixin Taoist Temple

Nurtured by heaven and earth, infused with the essence of the sun and moon, the solitary islet is blessed with auspicious mists and a land of fortune. Shuixin Taoist Temple (Shuixin Hall) is located on Shuixin Islet in the middle of the crisscrossing river at the southern end of Hengdu, in the southern suburbs of Lucheng District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The temple has weathered many vicissitudes. In 1990, the Wenzhou Taoist Association applied for and received approval from the State Council to establish Shuixin Taoist Temple.

Surrounded by water on all sides, Hengdu Shuixin Islet shimmers with ripples, enveloped in misty waves and rosy clouds, exuding a unique charm. To the east lies Daqiu Mountain, and to the south, Daluoshan Mountain can be glimpsed, blending mountain and water in a picturesque scene.

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Emperor Ming appointed Guo Pu as the governor of Yongjia (Wenzhou), where he built Bailu City and developed water conservancy projects to benefit the people. When Guo Pu personally inspected Shuixin Islet, he composed a poem: “The small islet in the heart of the water resembles the river’s center; / Its landscape, naturally formed, has graced the ages with beauty. / To the north it stands by the Ou River under starry skies; / To the south it faces Luofeng Peak bathed in purple haze.” A Southern Song celebrity wrote: “Green hills encircle the ancient islet, / Autumn waters reflect towers and terraces. / Bright moon enhances the scenic splendor, / While a gentle breeze welcomes visitors.” In the Ming Dynasty during the Jiajing era, Grand Secretary Zhang Jingfu visited Shuixin Islet and penned a seven-character quatrain: “An ancient temple in a grand hall amid water and sky, / Misty rains veil the spring city in tender hue. / Its wondrous beauty rivals that of Penglai Realm, / With rosy clouds shining in resplendent glory.” Throughout the dynasties, poets and artists have visited and praised this place in countless verses.

In early 1992, with strong support from higher authorities and the Wenzhou Taoist Association, and through the joint efforts of the Shuixin Taoist Temple management team, numerous devotees and overseas Chinese generously contributed funds. Following the architectural style of the Taoist Penglai fairyland, the temple was rebuilt.

After years of effort, a garden-style Taoist temple now stands before the public:

The Pingshui King Hall features three sections and one platform, flanked by corridors and side chambers, adorned with carved dragons and painted beams, with upturned eaves. The Yuantong Hall exudes serenity and solemnity, with an antique charm. The Hexin Pavilion is elegant and uniquely designed, with refreshing breezes and misty waves creating a distinctive atmosphere. The Yuanping Bridge is a small bridge lying gracefully over the water, connecting the north and south. It is extendable and combines modern technology with classical architecture, offering a uniquely tranquil charm. The Gate of Myriad Wonders stands like a natural barrier on the Yuanping Bridge, guarded by twin lions, majestic and imposing. The release pond is alive with fish playing in the water, featuring curved bridges, stone corridors, and an ancient pavilion that soothe the heart and captivate the soul. The Qiongxian Tower is a three-story structure built in the style of the Song Dynasty, dignified, majestic, and spectacular, resembling a celestial palace of jade and pearls—an earthly paradise. Coupled with red walls, blue tiles, pavilions, terraces, lush green grass, and clusters of flowers, it showcases the beauty of Jiangnan’s water towns and the unique cultural elegance of Ou Yue.

Today, Shuixin Taoist Temple covers an area of 4,260 square meters, surrounded by the new municipal government building, the Science and Technology Museum, and Xiushan Park. Ancient Taoist culture and modern technological civilization complement and blend seamlessly.