Mount Lu Tuo Chan Temple

Mount Lu Tuo Chan Temple

Mount Lu Tuo Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Tuo Chan Temple was built during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang in the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. It consists of the Mahavira Hall, Zhigong Pagoda, and Zhigong Temple, and has a history of over 1,400 years. It is the most popular temple in the Mount Lu area. The annual temple fair in Mount Lu is held on the 15th day of the third lunar month, attracting tens of thousands of worshippers from all directions. There are two stories about the origin of the name Tuo Chan Temple. One says that the monk Zhigong once transported Buddhist scriptures from Hangzhou to the site using donkeys, and ten of them died from exhaustion along the way. In recognition of their contribution, Zhigong named the temple Tuo Chan, meaning “Donkey Chan.” Another story claims that the entire Mount Lu range resembles a dragon, and the temple happens to be located right on the dragon’s spine, making it as if the dragon itself is carrying the temple—hence the name Tuo Chan, or “Dragon-Carried Chan.”

Address: Chishang Town, Boshan District, Zibo City