Suzhou Xiantong Temple

Suzhou Xiantong Temple

Suzhou Xiantong Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Xiantong Temple is located in the valley between Longshan and Hushan peaks of Xiangshan Mountain. Commonly known as Xiangshan Temple, it is also called Xianji Wang Temple. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and shaded by lush forests, the area enjoys a tranquil and beautiful environment.

From the watchtower at the temple’s mountain gate, one can overlook the entire urban area. According to a stele from the eighth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, in the fifth year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty, an imperial edict ordered feudal lords to record the mountains and rivers within their territories. Guo Qing, a native of Pei County, built the temple and inscribed: “Majestic Xiangshan, towering and profound, aligned with the celestial Heart and Room constellations, connecting with heavenly spirits, summoning clouds and rain, enriching crops.” It was rebuilt in the first year of the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty. In the 24th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, Anhui Governor Gao Jin petitioned for imperial funds to renovate the shrine. Further renovations were carried out during the Republican era.

The temple still houses 22 stone inscriptions from temples of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Among them, the most eye-catching are the imperial calligraphy replica stele of Emperor Qianlong inscribed with “Benefiting Our Southern People” and the stele by Gao Jin inscribed with “Seepage Water Cliff.” The architectural complex of Xiantong Temple is grand in scale and features a spacious layout. There are four courtyards with ancient cypresses and ginkgo trees towering above. The site includes 52 rooms: a three-room mountain gate watchtower, a three-room treasure vault, 14 corridors, seven side rooms on each east and west side, five main hall rooms, three rear hall rooms, one stage, one hexagonal pavilion, and a newly built stele corridor.

The existing structures follow Qing Dynasty architectural styles. Except for the glass-tiled roofs of the mountain gate watchtower, the main hall, and the hexagonal pavilion, the other buildings all have traditional grey-tiled, double-sloped roofs. During the Huaihai Campaign, Deputy Commander Su Yu once held meetings here to plan military strategies and formulate the “14th Order of the East China Field Army.”

In 1973, the local government funded the renovation of Xiantong Temple; in 1976, it was repurposed as the site of the Suzhou City Museum. Between 1980 and 1985, funding was allocated for further repairs. In May 1985, the Anhui Provincial People’s Government designated it as a key cultural relic protection unit. From 2003 to September 2004, another expansion project was completed. The newly built Mahavira Hall covers a construction area of 999 square meters, integrating design elements from both northern and southern ancient temples. It boasts a grand and solemn presence with a distinctive contemporary style. This not only establishes the temple as a major Buddhist sanctuary in the border region of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui, but also makes it an important cultural landmark in Suzhou.