Upper Guanyin Peak Temple

Upper Guanyin Peak Temple

Originally named Yuantong Nunnery, it is a key provincial temple. This Qing Dynasty–era temple is built on a rock formation at an altitude of 1,100 meters. With its three-story structure in a traditional residential style, fronting an ancient path and backed by a cliff, flanked by sheer drops on both the east and west sides, its ingenious design and masterful architecture leave visitors amazed. In front of the temple, there is an inscribed stone tablet that recounts the story of Mr. Wu from Shandong, who was moved by the Bodhisattva to renovate the temple. This is a true story that took place after Jiuhua Mountain was opened to the public, and visitors are welcome to take a look. The temple’s abbot, Venerable Hongcheng, became a monk in childhood and has been devoted to Buddhism. After more than ten years of hard work, he saved several million yuan to renovate the temple. He wears monastic robes all year round and moves up and down the mountain swiftly. Many say he possesses unique meditation skills and exceptional martial arts abilities, believed to be blessed by the spirit of the “Goddess of Mercy.” He often travels to cities such as Nanjing, and his stories have become local legends on Jiuhua Mountain.

Beside the hall stands a steep rock that strikingly resembles the female form of Guanyin, commonly known as “Guanyin Peak.” Legend has it that when Master Jianzhen was meditating and chanting scriptures at the Scripture-Worshipping Platform, the Goddess of Mercy traveled from afar to visit him. When the two met, they delved deeply into Buddhist teachings. Amid their harmonious encounter, the Goddess, captivated by the beauty of Jiuhua Mountain, before departing, gently touched a rock, which then transformed into the image of the Goddess of Mercy in female form as a symbol of enlightenment. The “Stone Guanyin” features a round face, slightly raised chest, meticulously detailed garments and headpiece, flowing ribbons, and appears to be facing northeast—as if patrolling the human world to save the suffering. There is a cliffside verse praising its miraculous craftsmanship: “This stone is not Buddha, yet Buddha is formed from the stone. This Buddha is not stone, yet the stone is imbued with Buddha’s spirit. Stone or Buddha—what is real, what is false?”