Chicheng Shenghai Temple

Chicheng Shenghai Temple

Chicheng Shenghai Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shenghai Temple is located at the northern foot of Haituo Mountain, within Changchun Valley. Changchun Valley is divided into two gullies: South Changchun and North Changchun. Before the road was built, the area was rarely visited, and aside from some local elders who knew there were temples and ancient pagodas in the mountains, few people were aware of them. North Changchun is home to Baoshan Temple, while South Changchun has Shenghai Temple, the two being just about 1 kilometer apart. Both were first built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty and continued to attract worshippers until the end of the Qing Dynasty. Today, the halls have been destroyed, but stone inscriptions and ancient pine trees still remain. Especially notable are the eight surviving tomb stupas, which are largely intact—truly a hidden gem in the mountains and a pearl in the frontier.

Among them, five stupa towers of eminent monks stand out uniquely. One is built on a solitary peak in front of Shenghai Temple, with a tall Sumeru pedestal supporting a massive inverted alms bowl, resembling a precious jewel soaring into the sky, towering above the heavens. The cliffs on either side stretch their necks and purse their lips toward the tower peak, forming the image of two dragons playing with a pearl. Another is located in front of the site of Baoshan Temple (commonly known as the North Temple) in North Changchun Valley, surrounded by mountains, sheltered by wind, rich in spiritual energy, and tucked among pines and cypresses, giving off a rather mysterious vibe. This tiered pavilion-style stupa stands 8 meters tall, with a base circumference of 7.2 meters. It is built from brick and stone, exquisitely carved, well-preserved, and is a Ming Dynasty structure.

The other three are situated on the eastern slope of Xiaonan Valley behind Changchun Temple. Three similarly sized tomb stupas are arranged in a triangle, about 7 meters apart. They are built from brick and stone, classified as Lamaist stupas, but feature unique decorative styles. The stupas are 4.2 meters high, with an octagonal base made of stone slabs. The Sumeru pedestal is 0.72 meters tall, adorned with one layer of inverted lotus petals and two layers of upright lotus petals, separated by interlocking rings, supporting a slender inverted alms bowl that is 1.2 meters high. The front features an arched niche containing the stupa inscription, and the back of the rear stupa is inscribed with the title “The Enlightened Soul Stupa of Master Shenghai Hall, Yan Yuan Zhuang Shu, the Venerable Ben, and the Honorable Ran Hui, Built in the First Year of the Guangxu Reign (1875).” The front left stupa is inscribed “The Enlightened Soul Stupa of Esteemed Teacher Yan Yuan Zhuang Shu, Fa, Xi Liang,” while the right stupa is “The Enlightened Soul Stupa of Esteemed Teacher Yan Yuan Zhuang Shu, Jing, Xi Zhi.” Both were “constructed in the First Month of the Thirteenth Year of the Tongzhi Reign (1874).” Their spires are distinct—seven massive spires (one has five), standing 1.7 meters tall. The design is rugged, gently tapered, occupying nearly half the height of the stupa. The top features only a small hemispherical canopy 0.2 meters thick. The overall form is cylindrical, compact, and elegantly simple, with outstanding craftsmanship that stands out remarkably. These bear similarities to small stone stupas from the Northern Dynasties. Such designs are extremely rare in the history of stupa construction during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and this is also the latest-built example among stupa structures in the frontier region.

Looking southeast from Shenghai Temple, about 50 meters away, there is another large stupa, built from brick and stone, belonging to the pavilion-tiered style. Its base is constructed from stacked stone slabs forming a Sumeru pedestal, and the body of the stupa is carved with images of Guanyin, birds, and animals. The carvings are fine and lifelike. The central arched door contains a damaged stupa inscription. The finial is worn down. The stupa is approximately 10 meters tall and is believed to have been built during the Ming Dynasty. Further southeast from this stupa are two other Ming Dynasty brick stupas, both in a state of ruin.

Transportation Guide

Attraction Address: Southeast of Shijia Village, Haidaituo Township, Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

Transit Routes: Take a bus from Chicheng County bound for Haidaituo Township, then transfer to a minibus to Shijia Village.