Jade Spirit Temple on Mount Sanqing

Jade Spirit Temple on Mount Sanqing

Also known as Jade Zero Temple, Jade Spirit Temple is located in the Fudi Valley at Jinsha Suspension Bridge in the eastern part of Mount Sanqing, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national key scenic area. Originally built during the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty (1450–1456), it was originally covered with iron tiles and had a structure similar to that of Sanqing Palace, serving as a dwelling hermitage on Mount Sanqing. It once enshrined the Taoist Zero God Wang Lingguan, who is said to have been a person from the Song Dynasty named Wang Shan, and was bestowed the title “Heavenly General of the Jade Pivot Fire Mansion” in the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1430). It was later destroyed by fire. In the 17th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1752), Mao Hongkui rebuilt it, but it was later ruined by water. In the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign (1814), Mao Ruyu and others raised funds to rebuild it, but it was again destroyed by fire. The original site measured 50 meters in length and 20 meters in width, covering an area of 1,000 square meters. Today, only the column bases, the fragmented steles inscribed with “Jinsha Fudi” (Golden Sand Blessed Land) and “Jiuling Zhizhen” (Celestial Garden of the Vulture Peak), and the stone incense pavilion remain. In 1995, Yang Qingquan (born November 1935) from Houxi Town, Quzhou, Zhejiang, restored the main hall, but the original appearance was altered. It is now called “Jade Spirit Temple.”

Jade Zero Temple and Xihua Platform are symmetrically constructed at equal distances along the ascending routes from the eastern and western sides in the northern part of Mount Sanqing. Traveling east and west respectively, they converge at Fengmen and merge into the Xuan’guan (the entrance to the Sacred Path) leading to the Sanqing Blessed Land.

According to Ge Hong’s *Zhen Zhong Shu* (Book in a Pillow), in ancient times, the Primordial Heavenly Emperor and the Grand Heavenly Mother joined their essence on Mount Yujing, giving birth to the Thirteen-Headed Heavenly Emperor, also known as the Yuanyang Father. He resided in the Azure Sea, governing a domain spanning 30,000 square li, and ruled for 36,000 years, and was known as the Eastern King. Some Taoist scriptures also claim that the Eastern King is the later Jade Emperor, whose sacred title is: “The Supreme Heavenly Jade Emperor Who Holds the Seal, Governs the Calendar, Embodies Truth, and Cultivates the Dao.”

“Yu Ling” (Jade Zero) conveys the meaning of abundant rainfall nourishing all things. It also carries a sense of drifting and loss, because although the Jade Emperor is the highest deity among humans, he is ranked below the Primordial Heavenly Worthy in the Taoist pantheon.

According to *The Illustrated Hundred Gods*: The Eastern King is also known as Mugong, the Eastern Flower Emperor, and the Fusang Emperor. Together with his consort, the Western Queen Mother, they are revered as supreme deities in Taoism. In Chinese folklore, he is considered the foremost among male immortals and governs the yang energy. It is said he was born above the Azure Sea and presides over the east, serving as China’s sun god. It is believed that anyone who ascends to immortality must first pay homage to Mugong and then to the Golden Mother. Only after completing these rites can they ascend to the Ninth Heaven, enter the Three Pure Ones, and pay respects to the Supreme One while beholding the Primordial.

The above interpretations are based on Taoist religious perspectives. However, according to my own research, there is another important layer of hidden meaning: Emperor Jianwen portrayed himself as the highest deity among humans, born above the Azure Sea and governing the east—the “Supreme Heavenly Jade Emperor” (as seen in the stone inscription “Supreme Heavenly Jade Emperor” on the front of the seven-tier stupa tower at Zhan Biyun’s tomb). He saw himself as a religious leader who could deliver all beings from suffering (as indicated by the inscription “Ten Directions Decree Suffering Heaven” on the back of Zhan Biyun’s seven-tier stupa tower). While overseeing the eastern part of Mount Sanqing and rebuilding Sanqing Palace, he constructed the Jade Zero Temple, which aligned with his fugitive “drifting” identity. In reality, it was a grand temple dedicated to the worship of the Emperor (Wang Shan) and to deities representing his identity: the sun god, fire dragon, Jade Emperor, and Eastern King. Evidence of the sun god and fire dragon can be found in the carved fire dragon pearl atop the stone dragon in the Dragon-Tiger Hall on Mount Sanqing and the “fire dragon pearl” carving on the right wall of the “Qingjing” (Purity) incense basin in front of the main gate of Sanqing Palace. The claim that Jade Zero Temple was a grand temple is not unfounded, as measurements of the site show that the original temple was 20 meters wide and 50 meters deep, with a total construction area of 1,000 square meters. In contrast, the main hall of Sanqing Palace is only 10.4 meters wide and 19.82 meters deep, with a combined area of just 206 square meters for both halls. It is clear that the scale and structure of Jade Zero Temple in its heyday surpassed that of Sanqing Palace. However, as time and fate changed unpredictably, today Jade Zero Temple lies in ruins, while Sanqing Palace thrives in this prosperous era—making the two incomparable.

Address: Within Mount Sanqing Scenic Area, Shangrao City

Type: Mountain Taoist Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mount Sanqing Scenic Area ticket.

Mount Sanqing

Sanqing Palace

Sanqing Blessed Land

Guanyin Appreciating Music on Mount Sanqing

Jade Maiden Opening Her Heart

Jinsha Cableway

Sunshine Coast Scenic Area

Three Cave Entrances of Mount Sanqing

Tiyun Ridge

Nanqingyuan

Yujing Peak

Shigu Ridge

Xihua Platform of Mount Sanqing

West Coast

Old Taoist Worshiping the Moon on Mount Sanqing

Longevity Park Scenic Area

Goddess of Spring

Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain