Jinan Xingguo Temple

Jinan Xingguo Temple

Jinan Xingguo Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xingguo Temple

Xingguo Temple is a national key cultural relics protection unit, located about ten kilometers southeast of Changqing District, Jinan City, Shandong Province. It is collectively known as one of the “Three Mountains of Central Shandong” along with Mount Tai and Lingyan Mountain. The temple derives its name from five beautiful peaks standing side by side: Huixian, Zhixian, Qunxian, Wangxian, and Juxian.

Here, rolling mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, with clear waters and lush greenery, making it a rare geomantic treasure land. In ancient times, Taoism flourished greatly here, with grand Taoist temples divided into southern and northern complexes. The northern complex, known as “Dongzhen Temple,” housed numerous stone tablets and hundreds of palace halls, including the Jade Emperor Hall, Zhenwu Hall, Sanyuan Hall, Qingling Pavilion, and Stone Archway. Historically, these structures suffered damage from warfare, but today over a hundred stone steles remain, among which the “Tomb Stele of Mr. Cui” is the most precious. This stele is noted for its exceptional calligraphy, painting, and carving, and has been recorded by many historians and epigraphers. The southern complex is called Yuandu Temple, also known as Xuandu Temple, which served as the mausoleum for the De Prefecture’s royal family during the Ming Dynasty. The mausoleum contains six imperial tombs belonging to De Zhuangwang, De Yiwang, De Huaiwang, De Gongwang, De Dingwang, and De Duanwang. The recently excavated tomb of De Zhuangwang is comparable in scale to those in the Ming Thirteen Tombs. In recent years, Changqing County has invested in restoring most of the historic sites here, building mountain paths, and adding many new scenic spots. The thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in the temple is the second largest in the province, with lush foliage and abundant fruit. A continuous stream of spring water flows from the Jade Maiden Basin in Qingling Pavilion, never drying up. Ninety-one stone steps ascend steeply, resembling the Heavenly Stairs of Mount Tai. Climbing the mountain path to the peak offers views akin to the precipitous cliffs of Mount Tai’s Suicidal Cliff — steep and rugged — with the five fairy peaks stretching into the distance. The contrast of green trees, black tiles, and red walls creates an enchantingly picturesque scene.

Xingguo Temple

Xingguo Temple, also known as Xingguo Chan Temple, is located on Thousand Buddha Mountain in downtown Jinan. Thousand Buddha Mountain is situated in Lixia District, Jinan City, Shandong Province, and is collectively known as one of the “Three Mountains of Central Shandong” along with Mount Tai and Lingyan Mountain. It derives its name from five beautiful peaks standing side by side: Huixian, Zhixian, Qunxian, Wangxian, and Juxian. Xingguo Temple sits halfway up the shady side of Thousand Buddha Mountain, backed by steep cliffs to the south and facing the Spring City to the north. It is the main structure of Thousand Buddha Mountain and a national key cultural relics protection unit. Established during the Sui Kaihuang era, it was originally called “Thousand Buddha Temple.” During the Tang Zhenguan period, it was expanded and renamed “Xingguo Chan Temple.”

Since the Yuan Dynasty, temple fairs have been held on the third day of the third lunar month and during the Double Ninth Festival. During the Ming Dynasty, the temple was expanded and became a popular pilgrimage site. The entire temple complex features a well-arranged layout of halls, corridors, pavilions, and evergreen pines and cypresses. The sound of bells fills the air, and incense smoke curls gently, capturing the serene charm of an ancient mountain temple. In 1983, it was designated by the State Council as one of China’s 143 key temples.

Every year on the Double Ninth Festival, the people of Jinan come to Thousand Buddha Mountain to climb high and enjoy the autumn scenery. Naturally, they also visit the temple to worship, pray, and sightsee. Another must-visit spot is the “Nine Points of Smoke,” where visitors can enjoy panoramic views. From the “Nine Points of Smoke” archway, the surrounding plains to the north display a vast expanse of hills, including Wolong Mountain, Huashan, Que Mountain, Fenghuang Mountain, Biao Mountain, Yaoshan, Beima’an Mountain, Su Mountain, and Kuang Mountain, all embracing the area within sight.

Thousand Buddha Mountain boasts beautiful scenery with its layered peaks, lush forests, and serene depth, making it a famous tourist destination in Jinan. It was historically known as Lishan Mountain, and legend says that Emperor Shun once farmed here, hence the alternative name Shungeng Mountain. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Buddhism flourished in Shandong, and numerous Buddha statues were carved into the cliffs, along with the construction of Thousand Buddha Temple, hence the name “Thousand Buddha Mountain.” Among them, Xingguo Chan Temple, built during the Tang Zhenguan era (627–649 AD), was the largest and referred to as the leading temple of Thousand Buddha Mountain.

During the Song Dynasty, Xingguo Temple was further expanded. By the late Song and early Ming periods, due to years of warfare, the temple “fell into ruins, with not a single brick or tile remaining.” In the fourth year of the Ming Chenghua era (1468 AD), Su Xian funded its reconstruction, renovating the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, monastic quarters, and storage rooms. Statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Eighteen Arhats, and the Four Heavenly Kings were installed inside the halls. Liu Chi of the Ming Dynasty vividly depicted the mountain and temple in his poem “Ode to Xingguo Temple”: “A temple lies a few miles south of the city, with deep winding paths shaded by pines. A lake reflects the setting sun, while a lone peak pierces the clear stream. Clouds drift around the monks’ dwellings, moss creeps over stone Buddha heads. The cave holds abundant holy water, washing away the worries of guests.” During the Qing Jiaqing to Xianfeng eras (1796–1860), further repairs were made, and additional buildings such as the Guanyin Hall were added. The current temple mainly retains the layout and scale from the Ming and Qing periods.

In recent years, under the leadership of the abbot Fodi, the monastic community actively raised funds to renovate the temple and protect cultural relics, breathing new life into this thousand-year-old monastery. In 1983, Xingguo Temple was designated by the State Council as a national key Buddhist temple in Han Chinese regions. In October 1984, it was handed over to monastic management. In January 1985, the Jinan Buddhist Association Preparatory Office was established here. On January 20, around sixty monks and local devotees held the first Buddhist activity since the Cultural Revolution. The temple opened to the public on April 20, welcoming worshippers and visitors from home and abroad. Restoration of the Bell and Drum Towers and the Mahavira Hall began in 1987 and has since been completed. The statues inside the halls have also been restored to their original appearance. The temple also operates a Dharma item shop and tea service for the public and visitors, achieving self-sufficiency in daily operations.

Xingguo Temple is built against the mountain, consisting of seven halls arranged across four courtyards. The meditation areas are serene and profound, while the halls are majestic and solemn, distributed in a well-spaced layout. The entire temple winds along the mountainside, simple and dignified.

The four meditation courtyards of Xingguo Temple on Thousand Buddha Mountain are commonly referred to as the “East Monastery” and the “West Temple.” The East Monastery was originally a mixed courtyard of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, now serving as the meditation area of Xingguo Chan Temple. The courtyard includes the Great Shun Temple, Wenchang Pavilion, Luban Shrine, and a stele corridor, reflecting the integration of traditional Chinese culture and Buddhist culture. The West Temple is the main part of Xingguo Chan Temple.

Scenic View of Xingguo Temple (1) (19 photos) Ascending from the West Loop Road, passing through the Tang-era Huai Tree Pavilion shaded by ancient trees and the “Nine Points of Smoke” Archway, and then through the “Cloud Path Zen Gate” Archway, you will arrive at the main gate of Xingguo Chan Temple. The gate faces west, with the four majestic golden characters “Xingguo Chan Temple” carved in black marble on the gate tower. These characters were inscribed by Zhao Puchu, former Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and a renowned calligrapher. On both sides of the gate are a couplet inscribed by Yang Zhaoqing, a scholar of the late Qing Dynasty: “The evening drum and morning bell awaken the fame-seekers of the world; the chanting of sutras calls back those lost in the sea of suffering.” It means that those who pursue fame and fortune will be awakened by the morning bells and evening drums of the temple, abandoning worldly desires, and those struggling in the sea of humanity will be called back by the compassionate chants. This is a classic moralistic couplet, rich in philosophical insight and thought-provoking.

Upon entering, bell and drum towers stand on either side. The Hall of Heavenly Kings greets visitors with the smiling Maitreya Buddha. In the second courtyard, the Mahavira Hall is located on the eastern side of the temple, facing west. It is grand and majestic. At the center of the hall, upon a lotus pedestal, sits the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by bodhisattvas and arhats. On the southern and northern sides are statues of Samantabhadra and Manjushri Bodhisattvas, and the Ten Great Disciples including Ananda and Kasyapa. Behind the statue of Sakyamuni, the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva stands facing east, accompanied by two young attendants. The Jade Buddha Hall is located north of the Mahavira Hall, facing south. The central shrine houses a white jade seated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, brought from Thailand. To the west of the Jade Buddha is a shrine enshrining Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva Hall is located south of the Mahavira Hall, facing north. The central shrine enshrines Guanyin Bodhisattva, with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Thousand-Armed Guanyin on the eastern and western sides. In the center of the temple courtyard is a large hall where a statue of Maitreya Buddha sits facing the gate, and behind him, Skanda Bodhisattva stands facing east.

Behind the hall on the northern side is a long corridor, with walls inlaid with poetic inscriptions by Vice President Guo Moruo, poet Guo Moruo, and calligrapher Zhao Puchu, documenting their visits to Thousand Buddha Mountain. Among them, Guo Moruo’s 1959 poem “Climbing Lishan” reads: “Overlooking Qi Prefecture’s nine smoke points, I tread among cliff caves and countless Buddha statues. A half-moon rises from the heart of the sky, while an east wind sweeps away traces of snow.” Opposite the corridor, on the southern side, stands the Thousand Buddha Cliff, where numerous Buddha statues from the Sui Dynasty are carved. From west to east along the cliff are the Longquan Cave, Jile Cave, Qianlou Cave, Cave Paradise Archway, and Duifeng Pavilion, among other historic sites.

The most captivating attraction in the temple is the Thousand Buddha Cliff on the southern cliff. It features nine caves housing Buddhist stone carvings created between 587–600 AD during the Sui Kaihuang era by Liu Maojing, with some additional carvings from the Tang Zhenguan era. Over 130 statues remain largely intact, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and serving as important historical material for studying Sui and Tang stone carving art. The statues in Jile Cave are the most magnificent and finely crafted. Inside Jile Cave are over 20 Buddha statues, with the main Western Trinity carved into the central stone wall. The central statue of Amitabha Buddha is three meters tall, seated in the lotus position, flanked by two statues of Guanyin and Mahasthamaprapta, each two and a half meters tall. The expressions of the three deities are serene and composed, with exquisitely fine carvings and graceful lines, representing prime examples of Sui Dynasty stone carving.

Inside Longquan Cave is a spring with three meters of water depth, along with over 20 suspended rock carvings of Buddha statues. There is also Qianlou Cave, the hermitage of Qian Lou, a recluse scholar from the Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period. The cave extends several zhang (a traditional Chinese unit of length) underground, twisting and turning, with a hollow space of over 20 square meters. The cave is about two meters high, with a carved statue of Qian Lou inside. Six Buddha statues inside the cave are now damaged. Legend says that although Qian Lou was offered noble positions by both the Lu and Qi states, he firmly declined. Though immensely talented, he lived in poverty and was buried in a coffin too short to cover his body, leaving his head exposed. When someone suggested tilting the cover to fully cover him, his wife said, “Better to leave it as is than to disrespect his wishes.” The Eastern Jin poet Tao Yuanming praised him: “Those who endure poverty and low status have always had Qian Lou. I do not take pride in noble rank, nor do I find comfort in tattered clothes.”

In the northern part of the temple is Duifeng Pavilion, built on a cliff 10 meters above the temple. Originally a place for monks to meditate and preach, it now serves as the guest hall of Xingguo Chan Temple.

In the northern part of the temple stands the Huaifeng Pavilion, built on a cliff 10 meters above the temple grounds. Originally a place where monks meditated and delivered sermons, it now serves as the guest hall of Xingguo Temple.