Lyuzu An

Lyuzu An

Also known as Chunyang Cave and Lyuzu Temple, it is located on Mangshan Mountain, 2.5 kilometers north of Luoyang’s old city. It derives its name from enshrining Lü Dongbin, one of the Five Northern Patriarchs of the Quanzhen School of Taoism. The temple faces east with its back against the slopes of Mang Ridge, and in front lies a deep valley through which the Chan River flows southward. The picturesque scenery makes it look, from afar, like a celestial palace floating in midair. On both sides of the temple gate are a couplet that reads: “Gazing southeast to Aoling Ridge, where layers of emerald peaks bow to the Phoenix Palace; Listening northwest to the floodwaters, where towering waves surge forth from the Dragon Gate.” Within the courtyard are ancient structures such as the main hall, second hall, mountain gate, and side rooms. There are also six stone tablets and four stone stelae. The statues inside the hermitage were all destroyed before liberation, but were restored in the 1980s. Judging from the surviving stelae, the hermitage was built before the Ming and Qing dynasties. When spring comes and flowers bloom, locals from all ages come here for outings to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. Every year during the Qingming Festival, a temple fair is often held here, attracting visitors from near and far who linger and enjoy the site.

Lü Dongbin, also known as Chunyangzi, failed the imperial examinations during the Huichang era of the Tang Dynasty and later retreated to Zhongnan Mountain to practice Taoism. He is one of the legendary Eight Immortals. It is said that after becoming an immortal, he traveled far and wide, and “once rested at the peak of Mang Mountain.” Later generations built this hermitage and erected his statue there in his memory.

Lü Yan, also known as Lü Dongbin, is the patriarch of the Quanzhen School, the mainstream school of Taoism in China. His original name was Lü Yan (also written as “Yan” or “Yan”), courtesy name Dongbin, and Taoist name Chunyangzi. He was born on the 14th day of the fourth lunar month in the year 796 AD (the year of Bingzi) in Zhaoxianli, Yongle County (now Yongle Town, Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province) during the 12th year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty. He is a famous Taoist immortal, one of the Eight Immortals, and one of the Five Northern Patriarchs of the Quanzhen School.

Lü Dongbin (798–?): Patriarch of the Quanzhen School, the mainstream school of Taoism in China. His original name was Lü Yan, and he was from Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. It is commonly said that Lü Dongbin was the Vice Minister of Rites during the Tang Dynasty… More details about Lü Yan++

Mangshan Subdistrict: A town under the jurisdiction of Luoyang’s suburban area. In 1960, the Mangshan District was established; in 1961, it was divided into four communes: Yingzhuang, Zhonggou, Zhongtou, and Yangjia. In 1963, they merged to form the Mangshan Commune, which became a township in 1984 and a town in 1995. Located north of the urban area, it covers an area of 48 square kilometers with a population of 35,000. The Zhengzhou–Kaifeng–Luoyang Expressway, National Highway 310, the Airport Road, and the Longhai Railway pass through it. It administers Wangchaoling, Shijiatun, Dakoulu, Miaonan, Shijiegou, Miaobei, Gejialing, Jinggou, Qianli, Xucun, Houdong, Suhutuo, Shuikou, Goushang, Zhongtou, Lijiwa, Zhonggou, Tuqiao, Ying… More details about Mangshan Subdistrict++