Chibi Yuantong Temple

Chibi Yuantong Temple

Chibi Yuantong Temple is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

Yuantong Temple is located in Yangloudong, Chibi, a town celebrated for its brick tea and ancient plank streets. It neighbors Guanyin Spring—one of the Forty-Eight Springs of Chibi—and the famous Lushui Lake, making it a well-known ancient temple in southwestern Hubei. Yangloudong is not only a historic town but also a scenic destination with lush mountains and clear waters.

General Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty to enshrine Lei Wanchun, a loyal and heroic general from Yangloudong who was honored by imperial decree. During the An Lushan Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty’s Zhide era, General Lei, under the command of Emperor Suzong Li Heng, defended Suiyang alongside generals such as Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, and Nan Jiyun. Leading a starving and exhausted army, they fought over 300 battles against the enemy, killing more than 100,000 soldiers, and held the line at the Jianghuai region, striking fear into the hearts of the rebels who were unable to advance southward. After the city fell, he and 36 loyal men chose death over surrender. Following the suppression of the rebellion, Lei was posthumously honored as the Loyal and Heroic General, and the public was instructed to build temples in his memory. Historical records such as the “Old Book of Tang,” “New Book of Tang,” and “Zizhi Tongjian” all document this. The Song Dynasty statesman Wen Tianxiang also wrote a biography of Lord Wanchun.

From the Tang Dynasty to the present, Yuantong Temple has experienced periods of flourishing and decline. At times, it stood magnificent, bustling with incense and thriving religious activity; at others, it lay in ruins, desolate and damaged. During the Daoguang and Xianfeng eras of the Qing Dynasty, when the tea trade flourished and brick tea was exported to Europe and Asia, General Temple also gained fame both domestically and internationally, revered by believers from near and far. By the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, however, it had faded into obscurity—the Qianlong edition of the “Puchiji County Annals” even noted: “General Temple, now in ruins.” In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, General Temple still boasted three grand halls with rows of majestic pillars, an imposing and solemn complex. But during the chaos of the ten-year Cultural Revolution, it was completely destroyed.

In today’s society, where governance is effective, people live in harmony, and the nation is prosperous—with reform and opening-up underway—we ride the momentum of the times and uphold the fine traditions of our country. By reflecting on the past and present, and looking at the world, we aim to promote the virtues of our ancestors, educate and enlighten future generations, and revive the glory of history. This serves not only to commemorate the heroic spirit of those who valiantly fought the rebels and defended their homeland, inspiring future generations for millennia, but also provides a sacred space to promote the Buddhist spirit of benefiting all beings and bringing peace to the land. It allows monastics and devotees to practice their faith in peace and health, away from the busyness of daily life, thereby contributing to national peace, prosperity, favorable weather, and world harmony.

The newly built Yuantong Temple is located in Group 4, Beishan Village, Yangloudong, about 500 meters from the original temple site. Covering an area of over 1,000 square meters, it includes structures such as the Mahavira Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the General Hall, and the Dharma Hall. The reconstructed General Temple will not only provide spiritual serenity for Buddhists but also complement the nearby Guanyin Spring and Lushui Lake, adding a splendid new chapter to the international reputation of Yangloudong and enriching Chibi’s tourism economy and religious heritage.

However, achieving this grand vision cannot be accomplished by just a few dedicated individuals—it requires the support of everyone. With collective effort, resources will accumulate like grains of sand in the Ganges, and success will shine like the light of Buddha. With joint strength, success is within reach. We firmly believe that the resounding of the temple’s bells and drums, and the revival of its incense offerings, are just around the corner. The solemn sacred space, the preservation of the Dharma for all, the flourishing of culture, and the shared brilliance of all things depend on the merits of our devotees from all directions, the response of heaven and earth. These virtues and merits will be forever engraved on bells, tripods, and iron towers, bringing boundless blessings without loss or waste. We earnestly hope that all benefactors and eminent monks will lend their strong support and rejoice in these merits. Every contribution, from one to one thousand yuan, is a boundless act of virtue and will be permanently commemorated on stone tablets. We offer our sincere prayers with bowed heads.

Address: Yangloudong, Chibi, Hubei

Postal Code: 4373120

Contact Number: 07156587921