Guoxing Temple Scenic Area

Guoxing Temple Scenic Area

Guoxing Temple Scenic Area is a cultural tourism attraction.

To enter the core area of Mount Taimu, you generally first arrive at the Guoxing Temple Scenic Area. From the scenic square, you can look up to the iconic landmark of Mount Taimu — Husband and Wife Peak — and the spectacular pillar forest known as the Eighteen Arhats Rock. A few steps along the right walking trail leads you to the unique Lengka Pagoda, an intact seven-story octagonal stone pagoda from the Tang Dynasty, as well as the ruins of Guoxing Temple built during the Qianfu era of the Tang Dynasty. Turning behind the temple, you can reach Longtan Lake to admire the towering peaks of Wulong Ridge and their reflections in the water. Ascend Guanwu Ridge to feel like an immortal drifting among the clouds. Stroll through a green corridor draped with wisteria to reach Sadeng Ridge, a 1.5-kilometer path donated by Sa Zhenbing, a founding figure of China’s modern navy. The trail features lush trees and blooming wildflowers. At Yongcui Pavilion, you can get a close view of Husband and Wife Peak and gaze at Yuanbao Rock, while also appreciating the cliff inscriptions “No Common Stone in Mount Taimu” and Sea Wave Rock. A short walk further brings you to Liushan Terrace, known as a natural air-conditioned spot, and beyond that lies Yingxian Platform.

Husband and Wife Peak is the iconic landscape of Mount Taimu. This mountain peak has been eroded by water flow into a fissure, with two unequal stone boulders at the top resembling a man and a woman. Depending on your viewing angle, they may appear to be embracing each other from one side or standing back-to-back from another. Arhat Peak rises majestically with peaks arranged in orderly chaos, resembling arhats on a shrine, vividly lifelike and seemingly ready to leap or dance. Known as the “Eighteen Arhats Rock,” or “Arhats Rushing to a Meal,” people describe it as having “form but no reason, bones but no flesh, sinews but no veins, bodies but no clothes.” These bald monks lean forward, hurrying swiftly, some holding Buddhist staffs, others with palms pressed together. Their robes flutter in the mountain wind as they rush to Baiyun Temple for a meal. These disciples of Sakyamuni, half-shutting their divine eyes, overcome all hardships to cross mountains and seas, inspiring awe and wonder. When clouds drift lightly and mountain mists move, these "arhats" seem to ride the clouds leisurely, creating a scene of endless charm.

Commonly known as the Lower Temple, Guoxing Temple was originally built during the fourth year of the Qianfu era of the Tang Dynasty (877 AD). During Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, Governor Xin Ziyang was traveling to Fujian when his ship encountered a storm in the East China Sea. He was miraculously saved after dreaming of the deity of Mount Taimu and was extremely grateful. He painted an image of the deity and submitted it to the emperor. Emperor Xuanzong displayed the painting at Hua’e Tower and announced it to Prince Jing and his ministers, decreeing seasonal offerings. By the fourth year of Qianfu, Emperor Xizong ordered the establishment of Guoxing Temple on Mount Taimu. The temple was grand in scale, with 360 stone pillars, and its bases and railings were intricately carved with figures, birds, beasts, and flowers. Ming scholar Lin Musu wrote in his “Record of Visiting Mount Taimu”: “The temple was founded during the Xiangfu era, its palaces still magnificent, with walls, pillars, and bases entirely of fine stone. Comparable to Jianzhang Palace in scale and Qiniangnian in beauty, its broad terraces could rival Kunming Lake.” The “Taimu Mountain Annals” compiled by Xie Zhaozhe of the Ming Dynasty recorded: “Guoxing Temple was built during the Qianfu era. Its ruins are now overgrown, with dozens of stone pillars lying scattered, only the central hall still standing. Its stone bases and railings are covered in intricate carvings of flowers and creatures. One can imagine how splendid it must have been, as if gold had been spread on the ground for offerings.” It’s easy to picture the temple’s former magnificence and exquisite craftsmanship. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed by fire in the fourth year of the Chunyou era of the Song Dynasty (1244 AD). What remains today are modern reconstructions, with seven large stone pillars still standing amid the ruins, and hundreds of scattered stone pillars, carvings, wells, troughs, and inscriptions. The rise and fall of Guoxing Temple have prompted many to lament. “The famed painter Xin Ziyang, who painted the sacred mountain, initiated construction at the beginning of the Kaiyuan era with golden offerings. The Buddha did not scatter heavenly rain — who now tends the garden of Prince Jeta? Though it's said the golden tablet was inscribed in the Qianfu era, the kitchen is now overgrown. The 360 stone pillars remain, but who will oversee the azure towers?”

The water of Longtan Lake comes from Bailong Pool, also known as “Dragon Well.” Covering an area of over 3,000 square meters, the lake is abundant in water. When it overflows the spillway dam, it forms a water curtain resembling pearls and jade. The reflection of the Eighteen Arhats Rock on the opposite side shimmers on the water. Strolling along the corridor atop the dam feels like entering a fairyland. In spring and summer, the surrounding area blooms with colorful azaleas, adding to its enchanting allure.

Guanwu Ridge is the best spot to view the natural fog phenomenon of Mount Taimu. Fog is one of the four marvels of Mount Taimu. Facing the East China Sea and influenced by marine climate, the mountain experiences about 120 foggy days a year. The valley below leads straight to the plains and the sea. “Sea clouds rise, drifting into the valley. Rolling silently, countless perilous peaks emerge. Heaven and earth merge into chaos — where to find Pangu? To journey as an immortal, come to Mount Taimu.” “Misty waves obscure the view, cliffs peek through the haze. Only the sea of clouds is vast, making one ponder the majesty of Mount Taimu.” The ever-changing fog adds a mystical and ethereal touch to the mountain. Sometimes the fog resembles a vast ocean with surging waves; other times it’s like gauze or fluff, drifting dreamily, giving the illusion of moving rocks and shifting peaks, leaving visitors spellbound.

Sadeng Ridge is approximately 1.5 kilometers long. “Sa” refers to Sa Zhenbing (1859–1952), styled Dingming, a native of Fuzhou, Fujian, and a founding figure of China’s modern navy. After joining the Beiyang government in 1919 as Navy Minister, he later served as acting Premier the following year and became Governor of Fujian Province in 1923. In 1929, he visited Mount Taimu and, moved by its breathtaking scenery and rugged paths, personally raised funds to construct this stone-paved walking trail. He also built a square building in Qin’yu Town at the mountain’s base and constructed a seawall. In gratitude, people named the path “Sa Gong Ridge,” the square building “Sa Gong Building,” and the seawall “Sa Gong Dike.” Today, the building is gone, but the ridge and dike remain. Hiking up this stone path, you’ll soon reach Yongcui Pavilion. Built in 1992 and donated by Hong Kong-based Lin Yukun and his wife, both from Hui’an, the pavilion was constructed after the couple prayed for blessings from the Goddess of Mount Taimu at Yipianwa Temple and had their wishes fulfilled. In the late 1980s, they returned and, following scenic area plans, funded the pavilion’s construction. Named Yongcui, meaning “Gushing Greenery,” it reflects the area’s lush, ever-renewing vegetation.

The Lengka Pagoda was built during the Qianfu era of the Tang Dynasty, over 1,100 years ago, and is named after the sutra “Lengka Sutra” brought from India by Bodhidharma. This pavilion-style stone pagoda is an intact seven-story octagonal structure, 8.5 meters tall, with a leopard-foot base. The base is engraved with strongmen, flowers, and mythical beasts, while each level features Buddha niches. The lower level bears the inscription “Lengka Pagoda” at its center. Experts note that octagonal pagodas from the Tang Dynasty are rarely found elsewhere in China, adding to its rarity. The pagoda is strategically located and visible from various mountaintops. Its delicate, compact design complements the towering mountain, adhering to ancient principles of landscape aesthetics that favor modesty in scale. Historical records state, “A golden censer is hidden at the top; tapping it with a bamboo stick produces a metallic ring, confirming its Tang Dynasty origin.” The pagoda was damaged during the Qing Dynasty and restored in 1986, though its original Tang-era finial has been lost.

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