Ancient Rock Temple Ruins

Ancient Rock Temple Ruins

The Ancient Rock Temple Ruins are a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

The Ancient Rock Temple Ruins are located in Yansi Town, Huizhou District, dating back to the Tang to Ming dynasties. "During the late Eastern Han and the Two Jin periods, Buddhism was introduced to ancient Huizhou, and one of its earliest activity sites was in Xiaoyan Village. On the southeastern hillside of the village, there is a large rock cave surrounded by steep peaks, jutting rocks, and a gentle spring. The cave resembles an inverted house and served as a place where Buddhist monks practiced asceticism and spiritual refinement." According to Mr. Wu, a researcher of Huizhou culture, this was the site of the ancient rock temple, also known as the Ancient Rock Monastery. The Qianlong edition of the *Yanzhen Zhi Cao* (Draft Annals of Yanzhen) records that on the hillside five li south of the Fengle River, there were over ten rock caves excavated by ancient sages, collectively referred to as the Xiaoyan Temple or Ancient Rock Temple. In the first year of the Dali era (766 AD) during the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, the eminent monk Jing Shan Yun, by imperial decree, gathered scholars and practitioners to establish a monastic complex here, founding the Sacred Trinity site. Countless temples and halls were built in rows and clusters, housing up to 500 monks at one time. Since the temples were constructed in front of rocky caves, the court bestowed upon the site the name “Rock Temple.” Officials from the Huangshan Cultural Relics Management Department stated that this site is rich in cultural remains and will provide valuable material for further research into the religious beliefs and lifestyles of people during that period.

The Ancient Rock Temple Ruins have been designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

Yansi Town: Located in the eastern part of Huizhou District, Huangshan City, at 118°14′ east longitude and 29°14′ north latitude, Yansi Town is known as the “Southern Gateway to Huangshan.” The town government seat, also named Yansi, serves as the location of the Huizhou District Committee and District Government of Huangshan City, as well as the central urban area of the district. It functions as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Huizhou District. Additionally, it is an important industrial base, vegetable production base, and goods distribution center in the Huangshan City plan, approved by the provincial government.

Yansi Town has a long history of administrative establishment. Historical records indicate that the town got its name from a temple located on a mountain rock in front of the ancient village. By the year 766... More details about Yansi Town ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Huangshan City