Nanshan Temple in Xinfeng

Nanshan Temple in Xinfeng

Nanshan Temple in Xinfeng is a cultural tourism attraction.

Nanshan Temple, located at the southern foot of Xinfeng County, was built in the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Song Dynasty (982 AD), boasting a history of over 1,100 years. It is one of the renowned ancient temples that have held great renown in the history of Buddhism in China.

Nanshan Temple, originally named Quanwen Temple, is commonly called Nans

This Nanshan Temple, described as "vast in scale, worthy of housing a hundred monks," was revered by the Buddhist community of the time as a sacred site where "one bows eastward in reverence, offering one's heart to Mount Heng." Nanshan Temple once flourished immensely, attracting numerous high-ranking officials, nobles, celebrities, and scholars throughout the dynasties who came here to seek serenity, enjoy the scenery, and worship Buddha. They personally visited this place and left behind precious stone tablets and inscriptions. These poetic verses and famous quotes remain widely celebrated to this day.

Since the Song Dynasty, when the local man Liu Renju first cleared the land and built the temple, this ancient Nanshan Temple has experienced multiple cycles of prosperity and decline, and was rebuilt and renovated again during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. As a key cultural relic protection unit, the government has allocated funds for renovations multiple times over the past decade. Now, the halls of Nanshan Temple have been completely refurbished, and the Buddha statues have been regilded. Visitors come year-round to tour and worship, and the temple resonates with morning bells and evening drums, its incense burning vibrant and strong. Behind the temple stand ancient trees that tower into the sky, their gnarled branches twisted and powerful. To the right of the temple lies the "Dripping Water Spring," where crystal-clear water bubbles forth. The spring is less than a foot deep, just large enough to scoop with a ladle, yet it never runs dry no matter how much is taken, remaining sweet and refreshing all year round. In ancient times, the Nanshan wine was brewed using this very spring. The newly renovated grand halls are now adorned with resplendent gold decorations, recreating the splendid scenery of its former glory.