Qianfo Temple in Tangshan

Qianfo Temple in Tangshan

Qianfo Temple in Tangshan is a cultural tourism attraction.

Mount Qianfo, located in Fengrun, eastern Hebei, is part of the Yan Mountain range. Its ridges resemble a soaring dragon and its form that of a crouching tiger, with dense grass and forests creating an otherworldly landscape. To the south lies the Bohai Sea, and to the north the Yan Mountains. The mountain has gentle slopes, continuous layers of greenery, and lush woods, exuding an ethereal beauty. Legend says that over 2,300 years ago, Qin Shi Huang once came here in search of immortality and marveled at the mystical nature of these mountains. In the year 645, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty stationed his troops here during the eastern campaign against Goguryeo. One night, the emperor dreamed of a thousand Buddhas and subsequently bestowed the name “Mount Qianfo” (Thousand Buddha Mountain) upon it, also issuing an edict to build the Qianfo Chan Monastery, which was later renamed Qianfo Temple. The eminent Tang Dynasty monk Dharma Master Dao Ying once practiced in seclusion here. Qianfo Temple has experienced periods of prosperity and decline through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

In the Buddhist year 2552 (2008 AD), Lay Buddhist Zuku, Dharma name Mingxin, alias Wuwu, dreamt of auspicious signs and felt that this mountain was destined for revival. Deeply moved by the convergence of good karmic conditions, he made a grand vow before the Buddha to restore the ancient temple, rebuild its halls, erect Buddha statues, host monastics, and propagate the true Dharma.

In the same year, with approval from the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Hebei Province, Mount Qianfo’s Qianfo Temple was opened as a Buddhist activity site. That September, the President of the Buddhist Association of China, Venerable Yicheng, personally inscribed the plaques “Tangshan Qianfo Mountain” and “Tangshan Qianfo Temple.” Lay devotee Zuku, with great bodhicitta, donated funds to construct the temple buildings. Construction commenced at the same time, and at the start of the project, extraordinary auspicious signs appeared—the Buddha’s light was revealed, joy filled the air, the majestic sacred image radiated solemnity, and the spiritual radiance of Mount Qianfo re-emerged.

Under the joint efforts of Venerable Zongfa, monastics, and devotees, and adhering to the philosophy proposed by Venerable Jinghui, President of the Hebei Buddhist Association—“mass participation, mass recognition, mass accomplishment, and mass sharing”—the temple is set to become a hub for experiencing Buddhist life, a platform for sharing the richness of Buddhist culture, a blessed place for contemplating the ultimate meaning of life, a bond for cultivating compassionate connections, and a pure land on earth for elevating a liberated and carefree human existence.

Transportation Guide

Address: Mount Qianfo, Jiangjiaying Township, Fengrun District, Tangshan City, Hebei Province

By bus: Take a bus from Tangshan (Fengrun) bound for Jiangjiaying to reach the site.