Chisong Temple

Chisong Temple

Chisong Temple, also known as Chisongzi Altar, was built in an unknown year. Legend has it that the Celestial Master Chisongzi once practiced Taoism in the Immortal Cave on this peak. During the era of Emperor Shennong, when there was a prolonged drought, the land dried up, and all living things withered. Chisongzi set up an altar on the Flying Stone to pray for rain for the people. Rain immediately fell, saving the people from peril. To commemorate him, the locals built a temple for worship, and whenever a major drought occurred, people would come here to pray, often with miraculous results. The temple was renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties but was later destroyed by artillery fire during the Battle of Hengyang. In 2010, at the request of local devotees, the Hunan Taoist Association sought approval from relevant departments, and after four years of restoration, the ancient temple was revived. The rebuilt Chisong Temple covers a total area of 36 acres, with a construction area of 3,156.48 square meters. Its main structures consist of three courtyards and five halls. The first courtyard houses the Lingguan Hall, which enshrines the Divine King Lingguan. The second courtyard contains the Lüzu Hall, dedicated to Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, and Wenchang Dijun, the deity of academic success. The central axis of the third courtyard features the Chisong Hall, which honors Chisongzi, the main deity of the temple and the Celestial Master of the Void. On the left is the Cihang Hall, enshrining Cihang Daoren (Guanyin), the goddess who saves beings from suffering, the Moon God who governs marriage, and the Goddess of Childbirth who blesses people with offspring. On the right is the Caishen Hall, which venerates Guan Yu, the Martial God of Wealth, Sun Simiao, the Medicine King who healed the sick and saved lives, and Emperor Ku, one of the Five Emperors and a cultural ancestor. Supporting facilities include living quarters and tourist areas made up of two courtyards and gardens. Cultural attractions include the Flying Stone, the Immortal Cave, the Viewing Platform, stone carvings depicting the tale of "Commanding Stones to Become Sheep," and the Taiji Small Square.