Jinan Lvzu Temple

Jinan Lvzu Temple

Jinan Lvzu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Lvzu Temple was originally built during the Jin Dynasty as part of the Quanzhen Longmen Sect of Taoism, established to enshrine Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology. In the late Ming Dynasty, Fan Shiying, the prefect of Jinan, renovated the temple (evidence of which remains on an inscribed stone tablet). In the 18th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1679 AD), a new hall named Shengyang Guan was constructed in the western courtyard of Lvzu Temple. Since then, Lvzu Temple gradually came to be known as Shengyang Guan, and in 2016, it was restored to its original name, “Lvzu Temple.”

According to historical records, Lvzu Temple has withstood over 800 years of history and undergone multiple renovations. The original temple complex consisted of a traditional Chinese courtyard with east and west wing rooms and a main hall. The main hall featured a three-bay structure with a single-eave roof and a rolled shed, combining stability with architectural variation. However, during the Cultural Revolution, the site suffered severe damage. Today, the original courtyard has been reduced to just 600–700 square meters, crowded out by modern buildings. Although it was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of Jinan in 1979, Lvzu Temple could not escape the fate of partial collapse. Fortunately, three stone tablets have been preserved inside the gable walls of the main hall: one embedded in the eastern gable wall commemorates the 18th year of the Republic of China renovation, another is an engraved portrait of the Deity, while the third, embedded in the western gable wall, is a Qing Dynasty Guangxu-era re-carving (Wuxu year, 1908) of an inscription and portrait of Lü Dongbin, written and illustrated by Fan Shiying during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty.

Legend has it that 800 years ago, the Jin Dynasty poet Yuan Haowen was strolling through the streets of Taiyuan when a long-bearded Taoist priest, carrying a sword, suddenly approached and invited him to drink and dine together. Yuan, who loved making friends, readily accepted. As they drank and conversed, the two hit it off famously. The Taoist introduced himself as residing near the world-famous Baotu Spring and Daming Lake, describing the area as picturesque, and invited Yuan to visit for a gathering by the spring. Yuan promised that he would definitely go when the opportunity arose, to drink with the Taoist by the spring.

Several years later, Yuan Haowen was appointed as the magistrate of Jinan. Full of enthusiasm, he visited sites such as Baotu Spring and Daming Lake—but had completely forgotten his earlier promise to the Taoist. After enjoying the scenery, he took a rest by the spring. In a half-dreaming state, he saw the long-bearded Taoist from years before approach and ask, “It’s been many years since we parted in Taiyuan. Have you forgotten our promise? Why have you come to my doorstep yet refused to meet and catch up?” Yuan felt deeply ashamed and was about to reply when he suddenly woke up. Only then did he remember the old promise. He stood up and was startled to see a painting of Lü Dongbin on the nearby wall—it was none other than the long-bearded, sword-carrying Taoist he had met in Taiyuan. Deeply moved, Yuan Haowen funded the construction of Lvzu Temple by Baotu Spring and Daming Lake in Jinan.

Address: Shengyang Guan (Lvzu Temple), No. 4 Shoukang Building, Xigongjie Street, Jinan City

Transportation: Take bus routes 11, 109, 98, or 41, and get off at the Southwest Gate of Daming Lake

Source: Taoism Voice