Yongnian Quan Ting Temple

Yongnian Quan Ting Temple

Yongnian Quan Ting Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

In the south of Zhongzhaozhuang Village, about 5 kilometers from Linzhang County in Yongnian County, there stands an ancient temple called Quan Ting Temple. Legend has it that this temple was originally a royal Buddhist monastery of the King of Zhao during the Warring States Period. According to the Qing Dynasty's Guangping Prefecture Annals, “Quan Ting Temple is located in Linzhang County, Yongnian. There are several springs in the area, and locals believe that the seventh spring originates from the temple. There is also a saying: 'Three feet down, you find water.'” The spring here has a unique feature — unlike other nearby areas where water appears three or more feet underground, at Quan Ting Temple, groundwater can be found just two feet beneath the surface. Inside the temple there is an ancient well, a circular lotus pond, and in the center of the pond stands the Guan Quan Pavilion (Spring-Viewing Pavilion). The lotus flowers in the pond stand gracefully, some in full bloom while others are still in bud. Interestingly, in the northwest corner of the pond, an underground spring connects to the ancient spring, causing water to flow continuously throughout the year. What’s even more unique is the presence of fish swimming leisurely in the pond — they are entirely red in color, which is why the temple is also known as the Red Fish Temple.

It is recorded that in the second year of Emperor Wu of Han’s Zhenghe era, Liu Xiang, the King of Guangping, passed away, and Emperor Wu then appointed Liu Yan, the King of Qing, to take office in Guangping. Liu Yan, styled Pinggan, subsequently renamed Guangping Kingdom as Pinggan Kingdom. King Pinggan renovated numerous scenic sites within his domain and compiled the Eight Scenic Views of Pinggan, listing Quan Ting Temple as the seventh view: “Red Fish Playing in Water” (Quan Ting Temple). During the Qing Dynasty, poet Li Fangsha wrote a poem about Quan Ting Temple: “New spring, three feet shallow; small market, one bend through. Lotus moves, pearls hard to break; fish come, water turns red. Fragrant blooms sip dew; ripe fruits scent the wind. Village drums echo in the clouds; children pray for a bountiful year.”

The exact founding date of Quan Ting Temple is unknown. According to surviving steles in the temple, it was renovated multiple times during the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, indicating that the temple existed before the Tang Dynasty. Structures in the temple include: the Mahavira Hall, Bodhisattva Hall, Heavenly King Hall, and a waterside pavilion.

Legend has it that the original site of the temple was not here but three li (approximately 1.5 km) to the west. At that time, Quan Ting Temple stood backed by Congming Mountain, facing undulating mountain ranges. Towering pines and cypresses filled the temple grounds, blooming flowers competed in beauty, the lotus pond murmured with flowing springs, elegant pavilions stood tall, fish swam beneath the clear water, birds chirped on the branches, and secluded paths led to tranquil corners. The halls were filled with the scent of incense and the sounds of Buddhist chants. Historical records state that during the Ming Dynasty, when Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan stationed in Beiping, launched a rebellion against the court, and as he advanced toward Nanjing, Emperor Jianwen had no choice but to flee the palace disguised as a monk with the help of a few court officials. This became the famous “Jingnan Incident” in Ming history. After Zhu Di ascended the throne, he remained suspicious of the escaped Emperor Jianwen, fearing he might threaten his reign, and thus sent troops across the country to search for him in temples. Local villagers near the temple say that when soldiers arrived to search for the emperor, intense fighting broke out between them and the monks. In the end, none of the monks survived, and the soldiers set the temple ablaze, destroying all structures completely. Quan Ting Temple was left with only its name. In the 1970s, during the “Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture” campaign, bulldozers from nearby Zhangyao Village unearthed many human skulls while leveling the land. It is said these were the remains of the monks who perished, seemingly confirming the legend.

In 1424, after the death of Ming Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di, locals, based on the legend, relocated the temple to its current site. Over the years, it underwent continuous expansions and renovations until it was destroyed in the domestic conflicts of the 1940s.

As people’s living standards improved, in 1988, local residents and devotees from around the region jointly funded the reconstruction of the Mahavira Hall. In recent years, additional traditional-style buildings have been erected, including the Bodhisattva Hall, Heavenly King Hall, and Quan Ting Pavilion. Today, the temple complex mainly consists of the Mountain Gate, Second Hall, Mahavira Hall, Lotus Pavilion, Lotus Pond, and Theater Stage. The temple exudes solemnity mixed with serenity, surrounded by lush trees and blooming flowers, making it an ideal place for worship, leisure, sightseeing, and exploring historical charm.

Transportation Guide

Address: South of Zhongzhaozhuang Village, Yongnian County, Handan City, Hebei Province

How to get there: Take a minibus heading to Shibei Kou within Yongnian County and get off at Zhongzhaozhuang Village.