Qingshuiyan

Qingshuiyan

Qingshuiyan is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Qingshuiyan is located on Penglai Mountain in the northwest of Anxi County. Originally built during the Northern Song Dynasty, it has a history of over 950 years. The temple enshrines Qingshui Zuoshi, one of China’s Hundred Immortals, and is a national 4A-level scenic tourist area as well as a renowned pilgrimage destination both in China and abroad. Qingshuiyan is the only rock temple in China whose main hall is constructed in the shape of the Chinese character “帝” (emperor). The scenic area boasts majestic pavilions and halls, breathtaking landscapes, and a wealth of cultural relics scattered throughout.

Major Attractions:

1. Lion Throat: Behind the Zuoshi Hall lies a huge rock resembling the head of a giant lion. The Shijia Building is constructed beneath the “lion’s head,” where there is a stone formation shaped like a lion’s mouth that can accommodate dozens of people. Inside the “lion’s mouth” is a round hole nearly two feet in diameter, commonly known as the “Lion Throat.” A stream of water trickles from the “Lion Throat,” and the gentle breeze makes it sound like the panting of a lion. Legend has it that this cave connects directly to Quanzhou.

2. Arhat Pine: Located beside the Juelu Path, this tree was planted by Qingshui Zuoshi and is said to be spiritually endowed. Its branches face the temple halls, and even the old, sprawling limbs grow straight upward, never encroaching upon the path. In the past, it emitted mist and smoke. Despite being over 900 years old, its form remains unchanged, with every branch seemingly bowing toward the Buddha. It is said that the tree grows three inches every year but shrinks three inches whenever thunder roars, which is why this thousand-year-old tree is only about 13 meters tall. An ancient poem titled “Ode to the Arhat Pine” reads: “Once said to resemble the Bodhi tree, now I see the Arhat pine you planted yourself: all things being empty, what is not beloved? Only the aged bones remain on the cloud-capped peak.”

3. Qingshui Dharma Gate: Descending the steps from the Haotian Entrance of the Penglai Ancestral Hall, you will soon arrive at the Dharma Gate. Resembling the mountain gate of a Buddhist temple, it enshrines four guardian deities: Zhao, Wang, Su, and Li. Legend says they were originally mountain spirits who were subjugated by Zuoshi and turned into guardians. Possessing great magical powers, they assist the master in exorcising evil spirits.

4. Branches All Pointing North: This towering ancient camphor tree has a unique geographical location. Legend attributes its planting to Qingshui Zuoshi. Now standing 31 meters tall with a girth of 7 meters, its branches all extend northward, hence the name “Branches All Pointing North.”

5. Jue Ting (Awakening Pavilion): A double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure, it was originally a teahouse. In the 14th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1586), Magistrate Liao Tongchun, while promoting the construction of the “Juelu” (Awakening Path), renovated the teahouse and renamed it Jue Ting. The name carries the meaning of “awakening to enlightenment.” Liao Tongchun wrote a poem about the pavilion: “Having fallen into worldly constraints through many years, almost selling my life for mere provisions; seeing the path to awakening lead to the immortal way, listening quietly as spring water mingles with chants. Vermilion cliffs bear names as clouds exhale moisture, and jeweled halls face streams where birds play flutes; all fellow travelers are seekers of the ethereal realm—what a fine place to form bonds atop this lofty ridge.” Lunyin Altar: Also called Shigui Altar, it stands opposite Jue Ting. Built in the 4th year of the Yuandongzhenyou era (1317), the altar is 3.3 meters high and features a small stone pagoda. Its front side bears an inscription of the imperial edict conferring titles upon Qingshui Zuoshi during the Southern Song Dynasty, along with carvings of dragons, “Imperial Decree,” and the seal script “By Imperial Order, Conferred upon Master Guanghuici Zhiyi.” The left panel depicts the reconstruction of the rock temple during the Yuandongzhenyou era. Both the decree and the reconstruction records hold significant historical value for studying Qingshui Zuoshi and Qingshuiyan. A poem about Lunyin Altar reads: “The grand stone cabinet looms above, imperial edicts and talismans displayed gloriously; even the barren mountain vegetation seems vibrant, a century of Buddha’s radiance shines here.”

6. Zhenkong Pagoda (Vacuum Pagoda): Legend says when Zuoshi passed away at the rock temple, locals buried him behind it and erected a tower to cover his grave. Initially unnamed, it was later dubbed “Zhenkong Pagoda” in the 4th year of the Jiading reign during the Southern Song Dynasty (1121) after locals realized the master had attained the state of “vacuum” in life.

7. Sacred Spring: Not far from Fangjian Pond, this spring emerges from a rock and flows year-round. Its water is sweet and refreshing. It is said that drinking it can cleanse the heart and cure ailments, bathing in it can dispel impurities, and taking some home to sprinkle can ward off disasters and attract good fortune, ensuring family peace—thus the name Sacred Spring. A poem describes it: “Through dense valleys echo murmuring streams, a clear and sacred spring flows purely; scooping water to wash the heart, cultivating wisdom—who among visitors here grasps the spiritual source?” Kou Tian Ancient Camphor: To the left of Zhenkong Pagoda stands an ancient camphor with its top broken off, about 10 meters tall and 6.6 meters in circumference. Its hollow core is approximately 1.86 meters in diameter. Several people can sit inside the hollow and gaze at the sky—an indescribable wonder, hence called Kou Tian (Sky-Viewing) Ancient Camphor. More astonishingly, the hollow tree sprouts two new branches in spring, full of vitality, earning it the nickname “Mother-and-Son Tree.”

8. Fangjian Pond: Also called Floating Fir Pond. Legend says during the temple’s construction, there was a shortage of large beams. Qingshui Zuoshi disguised himself as a merchant and went to the mountains to buy fir wood. The seller asked how much he needed. Zuoshi replied, “All the ‘tail-less firs’ in this forest.” Knowing there were few usable trees, the seller accepted a few coins and allowed Zuoshi to cut any tail-less firs within five days, after which logging would be forbidden. Zuoshi agreed. Back at the temple, he had disciples dig a square pond amid the marsh, with a hole drilled in it. No one understood why. That night, a fierce wind blew, especially strong in the mountains, snapping many firs halfway. The next day, Zuoshi collected the timber. He threw the large pieces into the stream and returned to the temple. Suddenly, the firs at the stream’s mouth vanished. A young monk, puzzled, pulled out nine large logs through the hole—just enough for the temple beams—exclaiming, “That’s enough!” The moment he spoke, the tenth log stuck fast and couldn’t be pulled out. To this day, the top of that fir log still pokes out of the hole, a story locals love to tell.

9. Three Loyal Temples: This double-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure’s origins are unknown. It originally enshrined Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, and Wu Zixu. Later, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty removed Wu Zixu and replaced him with four loyal spirits. Traditionally, the temple once honored Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, and Wu Zixu, but Emperor Taizu replaced Wu Zixu with Yue Fei. Thus, the “Three Loyal Temples” nationwide honor Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, and Yue Fei. The rock temple reveres Zhang Xun foremost, hence called Zhangyan, and the mountain is also named Zhangyan Mountain. “During the Song Yuanyou era, Zuoshi built Qingshuiyan beside Zhangyan and relocated Zhangyan to Juelun, renaming it the Three Loyal Temples.” At some point, Guan Yu was added, resulting in “Four Idols in the Three Loyal Temples.” Haihui Courtyard: Rebuilt during the Republican era, it enshrines Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin of the South Sea, and Mahasthamaprapta, among other bodhisattvas. Flanked by the Eighteen Arhats, the courtyard is imposing and distinctive.

10. Qingshui Mountain Gate: Constructed in the autumn of 1998 at the entrance to the upper rock site by Yangzhong Heqian Bridge. The central gate is 5.5 meters high and 4.00 meters wide, with side gates each 5.00 meters high and 1.8 meters wide. Topped with glazed tiles and upturned eaves, the entire structure reaches 8.00 meters in height, standing solemn and majestic. The stone archway bears an inscribed plaque by Professor Yu Yu, calligrapher and educator at the China Buddhist Academy, and a couplet reading “Pay homage to a thousand Buddhas; share the spring of ten directions.” The vertical pillars are engraved with “Names of Benefactors Who Paved the Asphalt Road,” written by Quanzhou’s Wang Aiqin.

11. Sword-Testing Stone: Near Kou Tian Ancient Camphor lies a jagged rock said to have been sliced in half by Qingshui Zuoshi’s sword, hence named Sword-Testing Stone. A poem reads: “In those days, the master treaded with his staff, sword’s radiance threatening autumn’s pride; cleaving this rock in two, its sharp edge pierced the stars.”

12. Penglai Ancestral Hall: The main structure of Qingshuiyan, built during the Song Dynasty. Nestled against the mountain and facing the ravine, its exterior resembles the Chinese character “帝” (emperor), ingeniously blending human architecture with natural rock formations. Classical and elegant, the main hall is a double-eaved pavilion-style building composed of the Haotian Entrance, Zuoshi Hall, and Shijia Building. Flanking the main hall are the Tan Yue Hall, Guanyin Hall, Famous Names Hall, dining quarters, and guest rooms, densely arranged. Legend says there are ninety-nine rooms in total. The Penglai Ancestral Hall stands out in architectural layout, style, carving techniques, and decorative craftsmanship, and is a key cultural relic protected at the provincial level in Fujian.

Address: Penglai Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City

Type: Mountain, Historical Site, Temple

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0595-23353688

Official Website: http://www.qsmount.com/

Opening Hours:

5:00-23:00

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