Shihoupō Grottoes

Shihoupō Grottoes

The Shihoupō Grottoes are a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The Shuiyù Temple Grottoes, also known as the "Shihoupō Grottoes," were built during the Northern Qi Dynasty and expanded during the Tang and Song dynasties. They are located about 200 meters northwest of Shihoupō Village in Fengfeng Mining District, standing opposite the North Xiangtang Temple at the western foot of Mount Gushan across Tian Gong Peak from east to west. Due to their smaller scale compared to the North and South Xiangtang Grottoes, they are known as the "Little Xiangtang Temple." There are two caves in total—eastern and western—two cliff carvings, two stone pagodas from the Northern Song Dynasty, and an ancient architectural complex to the east of the Shuiyù Temple Grottoes, most of which has been destroyed.

On a short north-facing cliff on the western side of the temple, two grottoes were carved. The eastern cave was excavated in the early Northern Song Dynasty. It is 2.1 meters deep, 2 meters wide, and 2 meters high. Inside the cave are carvings on three walls: on the northern wall, one Buddha, two disciples, and two bodhisattvas; on the western wall, one Buddha and two disciples; and on the eastern wall, one Buddha and one bodhisattva. The western cave is the largest, richest in content, and best preserved among the Shuiyù Temple Grottoes. It was initially carved during the Northern Qi Dynasty and expanded during the Tang and Song dynasties. It is square-shaped with a flat ceiling. In the center of the cave stands a rectangular pillar that extends to the ceiling. Behind the pillar, it connects to the rear wall, forming a “tunnel” used for circumambulation and worship. The main wall inside features a carving of one Buddha, two disciples, and two bodhisattvas, while the four walls are adorned with thousands of miniature Buddhas and donor figures. On the right side of the niche on the eastern side, there is an inscription reading “Wu Ping Fifth Year” on the right side of the Buddha’s head. This is the only dated Buddhist niche among the Northern Qi grottoes in the Xiangtang Mountains and provides extremely valuable physical evidence for the study of the Northern Qi grottoes. Between the eastern and western caves is a “Buddha Twin Forest Phase,” below which is an inscription reading “First Year of Qiande, Song Dynasty.” On the mountainsides of the eastern and western hills are two burial caves, each inscribed with “Fourth Year of Wu Ping.” To the front right of the cave is a stupa belonging to the eminent monk Miaoyong. In front of the left side of the cave are two stone pagodas facing each other from east to west, built in the second year of Duan Gong during the Northern Song Dynasty (989 AD).

The Shuiyù Temple Grottoes, with rich content, exquisite carvings, good preservation, and definitive dating, are a valuable physical resource for studying grotto art.

On July 22, 1982, the Shuiyù Temple Grottoes were designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Hebei Province