Huilong Temple

Huilong Temple

Huilong Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Huaibei City.

Legend has it that Huilong Temple was first built in the late Tang Dynasty. It was restored in the first year of the Longqing era (1567) during the reign of Emperor Muzong of the Ming Dynasty, and was originally named Longquan Temple. It got its current name from the ancient Huilong Cave (commonly known as “- Cave”) within the temple grounds. In the 18th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1679), it was renamed Huilong Temple. At that time, the temple owned over a thousand acres of land and had more than 30 halls and pavilions. Legend has it that the - here could relieve people’s suffering, and the Goddess of Mercy granting children was always efficacious. Moreover, with the Dharma transmission from eminent monks throughout history, the incense here has remained unbroken for centuries. The traditional incense fair of the temple is held on the 19th day of the second lunar month every year. During that time, merchants gathered in large numbers, stalls were everywhere, and the fair attracted tens of thousands of visitors. During the Cultural Revolution, Huilong Temple was damaged and fell into disrepair. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the temple came back to life—first the Guanyin Hall was renovated, then the mountain path leading to the temple, Longquan Cave, monks’ quarters, and other facilities were constructed, and the Mahavira Hall was newly built, allowing this thousand-year-old temple to greet visitors from all directions with a brand-new look.

Upon entering the temple gate and climbing 99 stone steps, you will see a golden plaque inscribed with “Huilong Chan Temple” hanging above the hall door. The newly built Kṣitigarbha Hall in the meditation courtyard is resplendent and magnificent, as grand and spectacular as the Kṣitigarbha Hall in Jiuhua Mountain, and is a rare sight among Buddhist temples in the vast region of Huaibei.

About 10 meters southeast of the Kṣitigarbha Hall, there is an ancient cave in the rock wall. The entrance faces northwest, and the interior of the cave is uneven, winding, gradually narrowing from wide, extending hundreds of meters toward the mountaintop in the southeast. It is said to have nine twists and eighteen turns. The cave remains cool in winter and warm in summer. Legend has it that Mao Sui of the Warring States Period, after successfully recommending himself, lived in seclusion here to refine elixirs. Hence, this cave is also called - Cave.

The entrance of the ancient cave is tall enough for a person to enter. A few meters inside, on the right side of the path, there is a dripping spring called Huilong Spring, where water seeps through a crack in the rock and drips continuously into a pool all year round, providing enough drinking water for dozens of people. Going further inside, you can see a rock protruding from the cliff, shaped like a wooden fish, which makes a sound like a chime when struck. A few meters further ahead, there are also wonders such as a stone bed, stone pillow, and stone drum.

Entering the second gate, you will find the Guanyin Pavilion, inside which are statues of the Goddess of Mercy and the Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva. Devotees often come here to worship and pray for the Goddess of Mercy to grant them children. Exiting the Guanyin Pavilion, walking across fragrant grass and wildflowers, and passing through ancient woods, you will climb to the mountaintop, where to the northeast you can see the undulating peaks of Dragon Spine Mountain, to the west the Zha River winding like a ribbon, and a panoramic view of fields and villages.

Nestled in a mountain hollow, Huilong Temple is surrounded by flowers and trees, peaceful and serene. It is cool and refreshing in summer, with exceptionally fresh air. This tranquil haven is a perfect destination for people in today’s bustling cities to relax and sightsee.