Chongxing Temple

Chongxing Temple

Chongxing Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

Chongxing Temple is situated in Shuinan Village, Huangshi Town, Licheng District. Originally named Gushan Temple, it was first built in the second year of the Guanghua era during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty (899 AD). It was rebuilt in the fourth year of the Qiande era of the Song Dynasty. In the tenth year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, it was destroyed by fire and reconstructed in the twelfth year. It has undergone multiple renovations since then. The currently preserved structures feature architectural styles from the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the right side of the temple is the memorial shrine of Wu Ji, an External Secretary of the Ministry of Works from the Tang Dynasty. In front of the temple lies the tomb of Wu Ji, the founding ancestor of the Wu clan in Putian and an External Secretary of the Ministry of Works from the Tang Dynasty.

Chongxing Temple was designated as a county-level cultural heritage site in December 1997 and as a municipal-level cultural heritage site in October 2004. (By Chen Junshan and Chen Yongsheng)

Chongxing Temple is located on the street near Sijiaoting in Shuinan, Huangshi. Its mountain gate is resplendent and magnificent, making for quite a spectacular sight. Upon entering the gate, you’ll see the front hall of the temple on the left side of the small courtyard. Inside the hall, there are numerous potted plants that create a lush green canopy over the large square courtyard, providing a refreshing coolness amid the scorching heat. An elderly person is guiding around ten elementary school students in their studies, while three or four seniors are chatting over tea on the other side. The atmosphere is tranquil and harmonious.

The main hall is the Mahavira Hall, which enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha and the Three Saints of the West. The rear hall is the Guanyin Hall, which is not yet completed.

Chongxing Temple is not very large, covering only 4.6 mu. However, it has many noteworthy and distinctive features. Originally named Gushan Temple, it was first built in the second year of the Guanghua era during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty (899 BC). With a long history of over a thousand years, it was destroyed by fire during the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty and underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The currently preserved structures feature architectural styles from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

To the left front of the Mahavira Hall is an ancient round well. It’s unclear how old it is, but judging by its aged appearance, it certainly has considerable history. It is the first round ancient well I’ve ever seen. If its history can be verified, it might even have a beautiful legend associated with it.

Hanging prominently at the top of the Mahavira Hall is a resplendent plaque inscribed with the words “Long Live the Emperor.” It is said that Huangshi once produced a King of Vietnam. Whether this is true remains a folk legend, as there has been no official verification or documentation seen by me. I simply smile and take it as a piece of folk lore.

Shuinan Village: Located within the town area of Huangshi, Shuinan Village in Licheng District is 300 meters from the Huangshi Town Government. It serves as the transportation, trade, cultural, and entertainment hub of Huangshi Town. The village has a total population of 3,793, with 863 households spread across 8 natural villages and 10 villager groups. The total land area is 1,950 mu, including 80 mu of arable land. The village committee consists of 11 members, with 4 hired staff, 140 formal party members, 2 probationary party members, and 20 party members with over 40 years of party membership. The village’s main sources of income are employment and rental properties. In 2010, the village’s total output value reached... Detailed information about Shuinan Village ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Fujian Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites