Chengde Shuxiang Temple

Chengde Shuxiang Temple

Chengde Shuxiang Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Guide

The temple is divided into front and rear sections. The front section mainly consists of the mountain gate, bell and drum towers, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the Hui Cheng Hall, among which the Hui Cheng Hall is the main hall of the temple. Inside, it enshrines the Three Bodhisattvas—Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra. In front of the statues are three-tiered nanmu wood Buddhist shrines on both sides, and there are also nanmu wood longevity pagodas, each housing the Buddha of Infinite Life. The rear section mainly includes the Treasure Appearance Pavilion, Qingliang Tower, Xianglin Chamber, and side halls. The Treasure Appearance Pavilion originally housed a wooden carving of the Bodhisattva Manjushri riding a lion, and the pavilion’s name was personally inscribed by Emperor Qianlong. Outside the halls and pavilions, there are also uniquely arranged rockeries that can be explored via winding paths. Introduction

Located to the north of the Chengde Mountain Resort and east of the Puning Temple, Shuxiang Temple was built in the 39th year of the Qianlong reign, modeled after the Shuxiang Temple on Mount Wutai in Shanxi, and primarily follows the architectural style of Han Chinese temples. All monks at Shuxiang Temple were of Manchu ethnicity, and the main deity worshipped was Manjushri. At the time, it was widely believed that Emperor Qianlong was the reincarnation of Manjushri, hence the temple was also known as “Qianlong’s Family Temple.”

Hebei, Chengde City

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units