Gongquan Valley Architectural Complex

Gongquan Valley Architectural Complex

The Gongquan Valley Architectural Complex is a cultural heritage site protected by Shandong Province.

The Gongquan Valley Architectural Complex is located in Gongquan Valley, about 4 kilometers west of Nanwang Town. Gongquan Valley derives its name from a spring. Legend has it that during a severe drought in the Song Dynasty, when water was scarce for dozens of miles around, only this spring continued to flow ceaselessly, clear and sweet. People came here to draw water, hence the name "Gongquan." The valley thus became known as Gongquan Valley.

In 986 AD (the third year of the Yongxi era of the Song Dynasty), Wang Shi placed stone-carved statues here. In 1081 AD (the fourth year of the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty), there was another drought, and the public prayed for rain here, which was answered, leading them to believe this place was the dwelling of the White Dragon. The cave above Gongquan Spring was inscribed as "White Dragon Cave," and the White Dragon Temple was built here. It was renovated twice, in 1122 AD (the fourth year of the Xuanhe era of the Song Dynasty) and in 1479 AD (the fifteenth year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty). The scholar Cao Kai also established a library here. In 1514 AD (the ninth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty), further stone inscriptions were made for renovation.

The White Dragon Temple now has collapsed courtyard walls, with only the beamless main hall and the mountain gate remaining. The main hall faces south, with one door and two windows, built from bluestone in an arched structure, covered with gray tiles, measuring 7.3 meters in length, 5.7 meters in height. The mountain gate faces east, also arched, constructed from bluestone, 1.15 meters wide, 2.8 meters high, and 3 meters deep. The gate tower is 2.6 meters high, 3.4 meters wide, and 4 meters long, with a four-ridged pointed roof. It was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. Gongquan Spring is located within this courtyard, and a small amount of spring water still flows today.

The Temple of Mencius (Yasheng Shrine) is a standalone courtyard with a structure similar to that of the White Dragon Temple. The shrine is 6.4 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 4.6 meters high, and is a Ming Dynasty building. Legend has it that Mencius once lectured here, so the shrine was built in his memory.

At the mountaintop above the White Dragon Temple, there is a cave called White Dragon Cave. The cave entrance is now damaged, with an inscription on the right side reading “Third day of the third month, fourth year of Yuanyou era...” The cave is said to be unfathomably deep, with rumors claiming it extends 2.5 kilometers.

Additionally, inside the White Dragon Temple, there are five stone stelae. Below the main gate of the White Dragon Temple, a natural boulder has been carved into the shape of a reclining tiger, corresponding to the Temple of Mencius to the north.

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Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units