Shunwang Temple

Shunwang Temple

Shunwang Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The renowned Shunwang Temple in eastern Zhejiang is located on Shunwang Mountain on the northern bank of the Xiaoshun River in Jijiang Town, Shaoxing County, approximately 43 kilometers from downtown Shaoxing. As recorded in *Records of the Grand Historian*: “Shun was a native of Shangyu. Thirty li from Shangyu lies Yaoqiu, the place where Shun was born.” Shangyu is a neighboring county of Shaoxing. Legend has it that Emperor Shun once toiled and rested here, which is why there are many related place names in the area, such as Shunwang Mountain and Xiaoshun River. Therefore, it is no surprise that a temple was built here to commemorate this ancient sage king.

The exact date of the temple’s initial construction is difficult to determine. The *Jiatai Huizhou Annals* from the Southern Song Dynasty states: “The Shun Temple is located 100 li southeast of the county.” *Tales of Wonders* says: “On Kuaiji Mountain there is an inspection platform of Emperor Shun, below which stands the Temple for Viewing the Mausoleum.” It is evident that as early as the Liang Dynasty of the Six Dynasties period, there was already a shrine dedicated to Shun. The current Shunwang Temple was rebuilt during the Xianfeng era (1851–1861) of the Qing Dynasty and renovated in the first year of the Tongzhi era (1862). Perched atop the mountain, the temple overlooks the Shun River (now known as the Shuangjiang Stream) in front and faces the open wilderness behind, making it a picturesque spot nestled among streams and mountains.

Classification

National 3A-Level Tourist Attraction

Opening Hours

7:00–18:00

Location

Shunwang Mountain, Liangxi Village, Wangtan Town, Shangyu City, Zhejiang Province

Ticket Price

10 RMB

Phone

0575-85788102

Address: Changle Village, Wangtan Town, Keqiao District

Wangtan Town: Wangtan Town is a mountainous town in the southern part of Shaoxing County, situated at the source of the Xiaoshun River Reservoir and deep within the Kuaiji Mountain range, about 50 kilometers from the county seat of Keqiao. It borders Shangyu City to the east, Jidong Town to the west, Shengzhou City to the south, and Pingshui Town to the north. The town covers an area of 137.9 square kilometers, governs 24 administrative villages and one neighborhood committee, and has a population of 36,000. In 2004, the town achieved a GDP of 370 million RMB, fiscal revenue of 19.663 million RMB, and an average rural income of 6,520 RMB, reflecting year-on-year growth of 10%, 23%, and 8%, respectively. That year, the town produced significant yields of green plums, tea, bamboo shoots, and Danjiajia... More details about Wangtan Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level