Xiong'er Mountain Kaifa Temple

Xiong'er Mountain Kaifa Temple

Xiong'er Mountain Kaifa Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Kaifa Temple is situated in the towering mountains (Xiong'er Mountain) of Zhuangshang Village, Henan Dian Town, about 8 kilometers east of She County, Handan City, Hebei Province. One of the peaks surrounding the temple resembles a bear’s ear, as if listening to the temple’s Buddhist chants, hence the temple is also known as Xiong'er Temple. According to the She County Annals, the temple was first built during the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and underwent continuous construction, renovation, and improvement over several dynasties. At its peak, Kaifa Temple boasted a grand scale, with four main halls and 24 courtyards covering an area of more than 20 acres, making it the foremost among all temples in She County until shortly before the liberation.

Kaifa Temple is a practice site for the Chan (Zen) sect, one of the ten major schools of Buddhism, with the Linji school being the most prominent. Existing inscriptions indicate that during the Ming and Qing Dynasties alone, twenty generations of lineages were established, with nearly 500 monks practicing there, forming a flourishing Buddhist community akin to a lotus pond assembly. Among them were eminent monks such as Monk Changshun from the Qing Dynasty, whose life story was recorded in the book "Biographies of Eminent Monks Through the Ages." Monk Changshun was known for his foresight and great compassion, often preparing herbal medicines to cure people’s illnesses, never failing to heal them. Folklore even regarded him as a reincarnated deity, with households worshiping his portrait and offering seasonal sacrifices.

As the ancestral temple of She County, Kaifa Temple has suffered greatly due to historical upheavals. Many ancient stone engravings have been damaged, halls have been demolished, and monks have scattered. The courtyards have become overgrown and lie forgotten in the cold mist and withered grass, evoking a sense of desolation and nostalgia in those who see them.

A thousand years have passed, and now, with political stability and social harmony, all things lost are being revived. With the attention of the local government and residents, Kaifa Temple has undergone unprecedented restoration, with statues refurbished and its former glory renewed. For example, the newly painted Three Saints Hall is built along the mountain slope on an artificially constructed cliff, while the newly completed Great Mercy Pavilion shelters the temple’s treasured Octagonal Glazed Pagoda Well. Crystal-clear spring water continuously flows from the golden vase held by the painted statue of Guanyin, day and night, saving all beings and nourishing all things. The newly built Golden Water Bridge and Lotus Pond are delicate and elegantly designed, while the marble railings are adorned with exquisitely carved patterns that are vivid and full of charm.

Transportation Guide

Location: West of Zhuangshang Village, Henan Dian Town, She County, Handan, Hebei Province

Transport: Take a bus from Handan Bus Station to Handan City; then take a local urban-rural bus from the county town to Guxin Town, get off at Zhuangshang Village, and transfer to a minibus to reach the temple.