Jiyi Temple

Jiyi Temple

Jiyi Temple is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Jiyi Temple is located in Yakou Village, Nanlang Town, Zhongshan City. Originally known as Dawan Ancient Temple, it is said to have a history of over 800 years, with documented records indicating its reconstruction in the fourth year of the Daoguang reign. The temple encompasses Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian cultures and is a distinctive religious site in the Zhongshan area, exerting significant influence among devotees and fellow villagers both at home and abroad. It is a key religious tourism destination in Zhongshan City.

Jiyi Temple consists of a group of folk temples in Yakou Village, Nanlang Town, totaling 11 structures. The oldest is Dawan Ancient Temple, built in 1924, covering approximately 15 square meters and enshrining the Heavenly Holy Mother. Since the 1990s, additional temples have been constructed, including the King Hall, Feilai Chan Monastery, Nanhai Cihang, Xingjun Mansion, Tianhou Palace, Yaoling Cave (housing statues of the Eight Immortals), forming a cohesive architectural complex. On religious holidays, first days of the lunar month, and full moons, many locals visit to offer incense and prayers.

The temple houses 500 camphor wood gilded arhat statues, each with unique expressions and lifelike appearances, attracting many worshippers. This temple complex holds considerable influence among fellow villagers both locally and overseas. In 2011, Ng Fuk, former Standing Committee member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Board of the Macau Ng Fuk Group, donated over 100 million yuan to commission golden arhat statues, initiating the expansion project of the temple.

The ancient temple complex forms a unified area consisting of 10 distinct halls, arranged from north to south: the King Hall, Feilai Chan Monastery, Yaotai Cave, the God of Wealth Hall, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Tianhou Palace, the Huo Zhaoyuan Great Lord Temple, the Xingjun Mansion, the Yuan Chen Hall, and the Nanhai Cihang. The deities enshrined include figures from Buddhism, Taoism, and folk mythology, each unique, representing a great fusion of diverse beliefs. The walls and carvings within the temple complex feature a myriad of vivid and exquisitely crafted murals and sculptures, with the expressions of the bodhisattvas rendered lifelike.

Outside the temple lies a landscaped garden with mountains and water features, quite expansive, forming a colorful blend of cultural and natural scenery. Many nearby worshippers visit during festivals to pray for favorable weather, peace, and prosperity for the nation.

Address: Within Jiyi Park, Yakou Village, Nanlang Town

Admission: Free

Yakou Village: Yakou Village is an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Nanlang Town, Zhongshan City, comprising eight villager groups. Five of these groups—Dongbao, Xibao, Pingshan, Zhongbao, and Xiangxi—primarily have the surname Tan; the Yangjia group is mainly surnamed Yang; the Lujia group is mainly surnamed Lu; and the Huamei group is mainly surnamed Xiao. Tan, Yang, Lu, and Xiao were the original four major surnames in Yakou Village. After the liberation, some non-native households were incorporated, and now the village has a total of 53 surnames.

Yakou Village is geographically located in the western part of the Pearl River Estuary, with well-developed transportation and access to information. It borders Zhuhai City to the south, faces Lingdingyang to the east, and across the sea are Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The village lies against mountains and faces the sea, with fertile land... Yakou Village detailed information++