Erxian Temple in Qinyang

Erxian Temple in Qinyang

Erxian Temple in Qinyang is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Erxian Temple, part of the Xianshenhe Scenic Area under its jurisdiction, is the site where Wei Huacun (also known as Erxian Nainai), the founder of the Shangqing School of Taoism, practiced her faith. Wei Huacun (252–334 AD) was a female Taoist priestess from the Western Jin Dynasty, hailing from Fanzheng in Rencheng (present-day Weishan in Jining, Shandong Province). She adhered to a Taoist fasting lifestyle for many years and once served as a libationer of the Celestial Masters Taoism. She extensively collected sacred Taoist texts and scriptures, and authored important Taoist classics such as the "Huangting Jing" (Scripture of the Yellow Court). The Taoist community reveres her as the “Purple Void Primordial Lady,” also known as the “Lady of Mount Nanyue.” Later generations regard her as the founding matriarch of the Shangqing School, and she has been praised in poems and writings by numerous scholars and artists throughout history.

In her early years, Wei Huacun practiced Taoism on Yangluo Mountain in present-day Qinyang City, Henan Province. She lived and was active in this region for at least forty-two years. Her major spiritual achievements were attained here. It was only in her later years that she moved to the south and ascended to immortality on Mount Heng in Nanyue. Hence, it is said: Wei Huacun attained enlightenment in the Central Plains and achieved widespread fame in the south.

For generations, people have passed down the mythical stories of Erxian Nainai, recounting her boundless divine powers and magical abilities. She is also known for being benevolent and responsive to those who seek her help. As a result, temples dedicated to Erxian Nainai can be found all over Huai Chuan, with many households even having altars and statues of her. The earliest and largest temple is the “Jingying Temple” (commonly known as Erxian Temple) located at the eastern foot of Yangluo Mountain. During the annual temple fair on the third day of the third lunar month, people from Huai Chuan flock here, described as being “as dense as ants from dawn to dusk, as tightly packed as woven silk, bustling on the roads by day and filling the courtyards by night,” all coming to worship, offer tributes, and fulfill vows.

Phone: 0391-5036016; 0391-5036036

Address: Shenlong Mountain Scenic Area, Ziling Town, Qinyang City, Henan Province (454592)