Ruins of Qingfu Temple on Baiyun Mountain

Ruins of Qingfu Temple on Baiyun Mountain

The ruins of Qingfu Temple on Baiyun Mountain are a cultural heritage site protected by Hebei Province.

Qingfu Temple is located on Baiyun Mountain, about 1 kilometer northwest of Wen Zhuang in Huangtu Ying Township (now part of Zhucaying Town), Funing County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province. It is also referred to as Baiyun Mountain Qingfu Temple. The temple faces south and was first built in the 9th year of the Shunzhi reign, the Wuzi year (1684 AD), and was once hailed as the "Number One Temple East of Beijing."

The original Qingfu Temple was built on three-tiered terraces, forming a three-courtyard complex. Existing stone inscriptions record: “The construction proceeded from the rear to the front. The last tier was built in the Wuzi year of the Shunzhi reign (1684 AD), the second-to-last tier in the Geng year of Shunzhi (1650 AD), and the Mahavira Hall in the Jihai year of Shunzhi (1659 AD). Each tier forms a distinct section, with the central main hall consisting of five bays, flanked by side chambers and auxiliary halls.” Fifty meters in front of the temple, there were originally three pagodas, and 30 meters to the west stood a hall dedicated to the Jade Emperor. According to local elders, Qingfu Temple was destroyed by fire around 1910. During the Cultural Revolution, the three pagodas were demolished by explosives. Current state of the ruins: the total area is 5,217 square meters, with three (sets of) temple foundations. The first foundation is built of stone, standing 6 meters high, with 28 steps leading up to the site of the mountain gate and main hall. The wall foundations are still visible, behind which four large steles stand in a row, and five smaller steles are arranged in two or three columns on either side. All four large steles are made of bluestone, with dragon carvings perforated through the tops. They are 4.87 meters high, 1.12 meters wide, and 0.275 meters thick. From left to right, they are: the Stele Record of the Founding of the Mahavira Hall, the Stele Record of the Construction and Adornment of Baiyun Mountain Qingfu Temple (Left), the Stele Record of the Adornment of the Buddha Hall at Qingfu Temple, and the Stele Record of the Construction of the Mahavira Hall at Baiyun Mountain Qingfu Temple. Two additional small steles also remain. The second foundation has brick walls, stands 6 meters tall, and includes 32 stone steps. Stone balustrades with carved floral designs line both sides; the left side remains intact while the right side has collapsed. The original hall foundation has been leveled, but four steles still exist. The third foundation's stone walls have been destroyed, leaving only 31 steps. The wall base of the main hall remains. To the right behind the hall, a natural rock formation resembling a stele, known as the “Natural Stele,” stands 3 meters tall with the characters “Natural Stele” engraved on it. Below it stands a small bluestone stele titled “Record of the Natural Stele.” The site of the Jade Emperor Hall covers 15 square meters, and the remains of pagoda foundations can be found in front of the temple.

Existing stone inscriptions record: “The construction proceeded from the rear to the front. The last tier was built in the Wuzi year of the Shunzhi reign (1684 AD), the second-to-last tier in the Geng year of Shunzhi (1650 AD), and the Mahavira Hall in the Jihai year of Shunzhi (1659 AD). Each tier forms a distinct section, with the central main hall consisting of five bays, flanked by side chambers and auxiliary halls.” Fifty meters in front of the temple, there were originally three pagodas, and 30 meters to the west stood a hall dedicated to the Jade Emperor. According to local elders, Qingfu Temple was destroyed by fire around 1910. During the Cultural Revolution, the three pagodas were demolished by explosives. Current state of the ruins: the total area is 5,217 square meters, with three (sets of) temple foundations. The first foundation is built of stone, standing 6 meters high, with 28 steps leading up to the site of the mountain gate and main hall. The wall foundations are still visible, behind which four large steles stand in a row, and five smaller steles are arranged in two or three columns on either side.

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Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Hebei Province