Fengyue Pass Fuku Temple

Fengyue Pass Fuku Temple

Fengyue Pass Fuku Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Fengyue Pass is located at the source of the Fuyang River in the new urban area of Fengfeng Mining District, where the two mountains Shenzhen and Nangu face each other across the “Fengkou Pass.” With its beautiful mountains and clear waters, the area boasts pleasant scenery and is one of the famous scenic spots in Handan City. Historically known as “Fengkou Pass,” it is the fourth of the “Eight Passes of the Taihang Mountains” and has always been a strategic military stronghold. It is situated to the west of Heilong Cave Village in Linshui Town, beneath Shenmu Mountain. During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the military strategist Cao Cao used this natural stronghold to defeat the army of Yuan Shang. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the rebel leader Dou Jiande also annihilated the imperial troops of Dou Zong, the Sui prefect, in this area. Beneath the steep cliffs and precipices to the south of the pass lies a natural stone cave, said to be the abode of the Black Dragon, who controls droughts and floods on earth. Known as “Heilong Cave,” the cave entrance is built from large stones, with uneven walls and a winding, dark interior that resembles a dragon. Its depths have remained unknown since ancient times, truly “the dragon leaves the cave, its depths immeasurable.”

The temple complex above Fengyue Pass is called “Fuku Temple,” situated on a stone archway stretching tens of meters east-west on the sunny side of Shenmu Mountain. The western entrance of the archway bears the inscription “Fengyue Pass” on the stone. Ascending the steps from the west gate leads into the temple courtyard, where the Black Dragon Temple, with its rolled-up eaves and hip-and-gable roof, faces south and is three bays deep and wide. Inside the temple stands a statue of the Black Dragon King. To the east of the temple is the Kunshan Mingyue Pavilion, a two-story structure with glazed tile roofing. The pavilion houses a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the west wall of the front hall features a stone carving inscribed with the poem “Ascending Kunshan Mingyue Pavilion to View the Spring” by the Ming Dynasty scholar Zhang Yingdeng. Historical records indicate that both the pavilion and the temple were originally built during the Tang Dynasty. Although subsequent renovations and reconstructions have altered their original appearance, their architecture remains solemn and compact, embodying a strong traditional style.

Fengyue Pass is built against the mountain. According to inscriptions, it was first constructed during the Tang Dynasty. Inside the mountain gate are the main hall and auxiliary rooms. The main hall originally enshrined the Dragon God. Below the cave lies a deep pool, its color dark green, with clear spring water gushing from rock crevices and surfacing from the sandy bottom, resembling boiling water in a cauldron—hence the name “Fuyu” (Boiling Jade). Because it is located on the sunny side of the southern section of Drum Mountain (also called Fushan), it is also called “Fuyang” (Boiling Yang).

During the Northern Qi Dynasty, after Taoism was introduced to Fengfeng, Fengyue Pass became a renowned Taoist site in the area. The Northern Qi Dynasty promoted Buddhism while banning Taoism, leading to the demolition of Taoist temples and the expulsion of Taoist priests. Historical records state: “There were monks but no Taoists.” By the Tang Dynasty, Taoism gradually resurged. The Black Dragon Cave Taoist Temple on Fengyue Pass flourished once again, was established during the Five Dynasties period, and came to house several ordained Taoist priests. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Taoism continued to thrive, and the number of Taoist priests at the Black Dragon Temple increased. In the Republican era, there were still several Taoist priests, though their beliefs often blended with those of local deities, making no distinction between them. Today, the temple ruins remain, but there are no Taoist priests. Instead, dozens of altars and statues of various deities have been added. The Kunshan Mingyue Pavilion was demolished in the 1970s due to road construction but was later restored to its original design after the road was completed. A pedestrian walkway was also added outside the pavilion, and the original inscriptions “Kunshan Mingyue Pavilion” and its couplets were preserved on the archway and walls.

As one of the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Cizhou in Fengfeng—“Dragon Cave Pearl Spring”—Fengyue Pass has been a must-visit destination for literati and poets traveling through Drum Mountain and the Fuyang River throughout history. Records show that dozens of travelogues and poems praising Fengfeng were composed here. Among the most famous are the “Black Dragon Cave Relief Prose” by Yuan Dynasty poet Li Cheng and the “Travel Record of Drum Mountain and Fuyang River” and several poems by Ming Dynasty scholar Zhang Yingdeng, which praise the spring water of Fengyue Pass as cool in summer and warm in winter—an extraordinary phenomenon. Other poets such as Yuan Dynasty’s Li Qiyang and Yang Fu, Ming Dynasty’s Liu ?, Ji Chun, Yang Guicheng, Yang Xinglu, Li Yongjue, Sun Qian, Jia Rují, Tang Yao, Li Shipan, Liu Shijie, Li Shigao, Zuo Ye, and Dong Yingfang, as well as Qing Dynasty literati Ren Shu, Fang Xiaobiao, Wang Zu, Yang Fanghuang, Xu Zui, Gao Shiyin, and Pei Dapeng, all enjoyed the moon and composed heartfelt poems at Fengyue Pass. For example, Dong Yingfang wrote: “Tying willows by the dragon spring in spring, washing my cap strings in the dragon cave waters. From the west come thousand peaks under the moon, to the east stretch ten thousand homes in the mist. Cold stones with clouds spread on the ground, clear waves with fish swimming in the sky. Dusty thoughts and Zen intentions merge, forgotten together. The mountain has bright peaks, reaching into the distant white clouds. The land rises in layered greens, the dragon unveils its surging spring. Affectionate birds descend frequently, unbound one becomes immortal. Broken moss covers the ground, lingering in nostalgia for past sages…”

The Mingyue Pavilion not only serves as a scenic spot but also offers tea and meals. “Moon Viewing and Spring Appreciation” is an exceptional experience, especially during the annual temple fair on June 23, the birthday of the Black Dragon King, when the site is bustling with visitors. Grand folk performances, trade fairs, and rain-prayer ceremonies are also held. In recent years, with the development of Fengfeng’s tourism industry, the district government has built Yuanshan Park on the hill behind the pavilion and has incorporated the Fengyue Pass structures as key attractions for visitors.

Scenic Area Address: Heilong Cave Village, Linshui Town, Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take Bus 604 in Handan City and get off at Yuanshan Station

Linshui Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City. It is the seat of the mining district government. Established as Linshui Township in 1957, upgraded to Linshui Commune in 1958, and merged with Fuyang Subdistrict in 1984 to form Linshui Town. Located in the eastern part of Fengfeng Mining District, it covers an area of 30 square kilometers with a population of 92,000. The Handan-Magnetic Railway runs through the area, and the Handan-Fengfeng Highway provides access. The town administers 15 village committees (Linshui, Nantou, Shiqiao, Donggou, Heilong Cave, Guozhuang, Xizhifang, Dongzhifang, Xiqingliu, Dongqingliu, Zhongqingliu, Xinqingliu, Dongquantou, Xiquantou, Beiliuwang) and 38 neighborhood committees. The main industry is building materials. Linshui Town detailed information++