Xiaoshan Bailong Temple

Xiaoshan Bailong Temple

Xiaoshan Bailong Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Hangzhou City.

On Hangwu Mountain stands Bailong Temple, facing south with its back to the north. The three-courtyard shrine complex was built during the Xining era (1068–1077) of the Northern Song Dynasty. Through centuries of vicissitudes, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. The surviving rear hall is a Ming Dynasty structure, with the last renovation taking place in the 11th year of the Daoguang reign (1831) during the Qing Dynasty. The main hall houses the "Hidden Dragon Pool" (also known as Dragon Well or Hidden Spring), a natural spring that remains clear and never dries up—a remarkable sight.

Behind the temple lies Bailong Pool, whose water level remains stable regardless of drought or flood. Devotees visiting the temple often use divination sticks and books to pray for children, academic success, marriage, wealth, health, longevity, or disaster relief. Pilgrims say the temple’s divinations can predict fortune or misfortune with remarkable accuracy. Today, the "Hangwu Buddhist Chanting" at Bailong Temple is listed among the "Top Ten Scenic Spots of Xiaoshan," alongside "Xianghu Lake Reflections."

For a moment of serenity, head to Bailong Temple on Hangwu Mountain. When monks chant scriptures, sit cross-legged with the congregation, letting go of worldly distractions to listen intently—seeking inner peace. Though the Sanskrit chants hold no astonishing verses, they encompass profound life philosophies, teaching compassion and detachment to reach a state of selflessness. Through mental tranquility and purification, one enters a vast spiritual realm, discovering their true self. The chants resonate like the ocean; when the mind embraces a world, that world becomes more profoundly felt as one of happiness and bliss.

History

Hangwu Bailong Temple in Hangzhou was first built during the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, boasting over 900 years of history. Legend says Master Longguang wandered the mountain, spotted a white dragon on the ridge, and built a hut there. Later, he constructed the temple, enshrining the Goddess of Mercy and the white dragon, hence the name Bailong Temple. The temple has endured many changes, being destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly. During the Cultural Revolution, the east and west side halls were largely destroyed, leaving only the front, middle, and rear halls. Upon entering the main gate is the Heavenly King Hall, bearing the plaque "Dragon Palace in the Sea" and the inscription "Rebuilt in the 11th Year of Xianfeng Reign" on the beams. Passing through the courtyard leads to the Middle Hall, rebuilt in the 54th year of the Qianlong reign (1789). In the northwest corner of the hall lies the "Dragon Pool," a perennial water source used for temple consumption. The east wall contains inscribed stelae, including "Records of Bailong Temple Reconstruction" and "Together Ascending Virtue," documenting the temple’s history, renovations, and properties. Other Qing Dynasty plaques include "A Drop of Willow Branch" and "Virtue Heavier Than Pearl Forest." The rear hall is one of the few surviving Ming Dynasty structures in Xiaoshan.

Location

Bailong Temple is situated atop Hangwu Mountain in Dong’en Village, Guali Town, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou. Originally built during the Xining era (1066–1070) of the Northern Song Dynasty, legend says Master Longguang built a hut here after spotting a white dragon on the ridge. In the 3rd year of the Shaoxing reign (1133) during the Southern Song Dynasty, funds were raised to construct the temple, enshrining the Goddess of Mercy and the white dragon, thus naming it "Bailong Temple." Early in the Jiading era, renovations followed, and the site once served as the retreat of scholar Shen Beihai before becoming a Zen monastery. In the early Qing Dynasty, poet Shan Longzhou referred to it as the "Dragon King Temple," which was later renovated during the Daoguang reign. Between 1931 and 1941, the main hall underwent repairs. The temple comprises front, middle, and rear halls, along with auxiliary structures like the Longevity Hall, Six Harmonies Hall, Ordination Hall, Scripture Hall, Meditation Hall, Guest Hall, Dining Hall, and Hundred Sons Hall—totaling over 40 rooms. The surviving front, middle, and rear halls face south. The rear hall, with three bays, is a late Ming or early Qing structure, measuring 11 meters in width and 9.14 meters in depth, with a flush-gable roof. The central bay features a five-rafter beam and double-step corridor, with curved eave pillars and stone-paved floors. The middle and front halls were renovated during the Daoguang and Xianfeng reigns of the Qing Dynasty. The east wall bears the "Bailong Temple Reconstruction Stele," documenting the temple’s history. Behind the Buddha pedestal in the Mahavira Hall lies the Dragon Pool (also called Bailong Well), where spring water flows continuously from rock crevices. Yuan Dynasty poet Sadula wrote in "Climbing Hangwu Mountain": "The dragon pool immerses white clouds." Qing Dynasty’s Shen Chenglie composed the couplet: "Lotus rain fills the Dragon Pool, making this mountain a fragrant sea; celestial clouds descend from Vulture Peak, revealing this valley as a compassionate ferry." This temple is one of the oldest and most intact in the city’s eastern region. In May 1983, it was designated a cultural heritage site by Xiaoshan County Government.

Between 1985 and 1990, over 600,000 yuan was invested in renovating Bailong Temple. The temple now features newly paved, wide cement steps at the entrance, with the front, middle, and rear halls along the central axis adorned with intricately carved doors and windows restored to their original designs. Clear inscriptions on the stone pillars gleam, while the east and west side halls and auxiliary facilities have been upgraded, creating a majestic temple in eastern Xiaoshan.

Near Bailong Temple, rolling peaks and lush trees form a scenic natural area.

The thousand-year-old Bailong Chan Temple sits atop the 300-meter-high main peak of Hangwu Mountain. Over 1,300 stone steps lead up from the mountain’s eastern foothills, and the temple now belongs to the forested area of Dong’en Village.

Architectural Structure

The temple gate is a reverse-stage tower—originally a stage for performances held on the 1st day of the third lunar month to celebrate the "White Dragon Emperor’s" birthday (with shows moving outside the temple on the 2nd and 3rd days). The courtyard before the stage is a square pond symbolizing the Dragon Pool. Opposite the stage stands the White Dragon Hall, housing sandalwood carvings of the White Dragon Emperor and Lady Ruan. The two pillars supporting the hall and the central chamber feature three dragons each, while inscribed stelae, celebrity calligraphy, water regulations, and merit steles adorn the walls.

In front of the White Dragon Hall, architects ingeniously channeled clear spring water through the temple and kitchen, embodying the myth where the white dragon, seeking to marry Lady Ruan, alleviated her mother’s worry about her daughter having no one to fetch water after marrying far away. Behind the Dragon Hall lies the "Three Teachings Origin Hall." In the courtyard, amid osmanthus trees, stands a large stone incense burner with lion-head carvings on each leg. The left wall embeds the "Vegetarian Opera Management Stele," recounting the grand performances during the White Dragon’s birthday celebrations. The right wall holds the "Bailong Shrine Merit Stele" erected in the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign (1735) by Yang Tiancheng. The final section is the "Guanyin Hall." Flanking the White Dragon Hall and stage are side halls, which once housed various deities on their lower levels.

Historical Evolution

According to the Ming Dynasty *Huizhou Records*, Bailong Temple is located atop Hangwu Mountain, 40 li southeast of Xiaoshan District. The mountain faces the Qiantang River to the north, offering views of Haining County, and is also called "Wangbu Mountain."

Legend says King Goujian of Yue, preparing to battle Wu, sought a mountain with 100 peaks to build his fortress. Counting the peaks from Hangwu Mountain’s summit, he repeatedly stopped at 99, forgetting to include the one he stood on—leading him to abandon the plan. After defeating Wu, locals renamed the mountain "Wangpa Mountain," a name still used today.

The origins of Bailong Temple vary by account. The *Qianlong Shaoxing Prefecture Records* state: "Bailong Temple sits atop Hangwu Mountain. Built in the 3rd year of the Shaoxing reign (1133), it houses the perennial Bailong Well, hence its name. King Qian Liu of Wuyue once stationed troops here. In the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign (1553), generals Tang Kekuan and Hu Zongxian defeated Japanese pirates here."

The *Yueduo Daily* records: "Bailong Temple was founded in the early Jiading reign (1208) of Emperor Zhaozong as the retreat of scholar Shen Beihai, later converted into a Zen monastery enshrining the Goddess of Mercy. A place of exceptional spirit, it became a revered ancient temple."

The earliest and most credible account comes from the surviving *Bailong Temple Reconstruction Stele* (compiled in the 8th year of the Tongzhi reign, 1869, by Shen Chenglie): "During the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty, Master Longguang wandered the mountain, spotted a white dragon, built a hut, and raised funds to construct the temple, enshrining the Goddess of Mercy and the white dragon—thus naming it Bailong Temple." The Xining era refers to Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song (1068–1077). These records confirm the temple was built during the Xining era.

Around 1980, local government funding spurred afforestation efforts, building an archway and renovating mountain roads. Bailong Temple was refurbished, its entrance steps reconstructed, and four antique-style pavilions added.

In 2005, Bailong Temple invested heavily to construct the fourth hall, the Mahavira Hall. Over half the mountain road was widened with stone slabs, and the government allocated millions to build a vehicular road from the base to the summit, slated for completion by June 2006. Camphor trees line the pedestrian path, attracting hundreds of morning exercisers and steady visitors. The ancient temple, rejuvenated, thrives during peak seasons—Spring Festival and the birthdays of the Goddess of Mercy (19th days of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months)—when thousands ascend to pray, symbolizing prosperity. It is poised to become a new regional tourist attraction.

Dong’en Village: Located at the scenic eastern foot of Hangwu Mountain in Guali Town, Dong’en Village has 812 households and over 2,650 residents. All enjoy grain subsidies, dividend payments, medical coverage, and village welfare.

In 2011, the village generated 540 million yuan in industrial output and 23.89 million yuan in profit. Agriculture focuses on high-efficiency crops—flowers, vegetables, and aquaculture—on fully contracted, intensively managed farmland.

… Dong’en Village detailed information++