Youyan Temple

Youyan Temple

Youyan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Youyan Temple is located at the foot of Leifeng Mountain, five li north of Heting Town, approximately three kilometers from the town center. It was originally built in the fifth year of the Tianfu era (946 AD) during the Later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period by the monk Fabao from Youzhou. In the nineteenth year of the Zhiyuan era (1359 AD) of the Yuan Dynasty, it was destroyed in war. It was rebuilt in the twenty-third year (1363 AD) by the monk Youhai, and again in the eleventh year of the Hongwu era (1378 AD) of the Ming Dynasty. The current structures were built in the thirty-third year of the Qianlong era (1768 AD) by the monk Yuanji. The temple gate is inscribed with: “On the cliff’s edge, all is serene; clouds peer at forms and colors; the mountain gate lamp never extinguished, moonlight illuminates the Zen mind.” The Mahavira Hall features couplets by historical figures, such as: “The moon above brings quiet to literary grace (Zhang Yue)” and “With half a verse in heart, all worldly ties vanish (Lang Shiyuan).”

The temple originally had two stone pagodas, but only one remains today. Built in the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty (1080 AD), it collapsed in the sixth year of the Qingyuan era (1200 AD) and was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Jiatai era (1206 AD). The pagoda stands approximately 13 meters tall, with an octagonal nine-story structure and a base circumference of 16 meters. At the top sits a small nine-tiered stone steeple. Each story features eight relief carvings of seated Buddhas, while the Sumeru pedestal has carved strongmen at each corner. The waist-level arched niches depict lions in lively reliefs. It is a masterpiece reflecting the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient laborers. In 1991, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

The stone pagoda in Youyan Temple, built in the first year of the Northern Song Dynasty, stands 13 meters tall and is one of the oldest and best-preserved stone pagodas in our province.

Heting Town: Located in the eastern part of Gutian, Fujian Province, Heting Town borders Jiaocheng District of Ningde, as well as Pingnan, Minhou, and Luoyuan counties. The town has 23 administrative villages, 105 natural villages, covers an area of 220 square kilometers, and has a population of 38,400. It serves as the commercial trade hub and economic-cultural center of eastern Gutian, often referred to as the “Little Suzhou-Hangzhou” of Gutian.

Heting boasts fertile soil and abundant resources, with thriving grain production and lush forests. It has 36,230 mu of arable land, 250,256 mu of mountainous land, and 195,232 mu of forest. The area also holds hydropower potential for generating up to 22,960 kilowatts... More detailed information about Heting Town++