Backniuding Taiqing Temple

Backniuding Taiqing Temple

Backniuding Taiqing Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Backniuding Taiqing Temple is located at the southern foot of Laoling Mountain, 26 kilometers northeast of Funing County, at an altitude of 956 meters. Its peak rises like a pillar, abruptly jutting from among the surrounding mountains, making it quite precipitous. It gets its name from the rock formation behind it that resembles a cow.

Backniuding Taiqing Temple was initially built during the Tianqing era of the Liao Dynasty (1111–1120 AD). In the 14th year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (1519 AD), the monk Fohai dug a well and built a temple, bringing disciples to renovate Backniuding.

During the Longqing and Wanli eras (1567–1619), General Gu Yong (courtesy name Chenggong) constructed the beamless hall.

In the 5th year of the Chongzhen reign (1632 AD), the monk Huixi expanded the Golden Light Cave. Originally the upper monastery of Hongliang Temple, Taiqing Temple was renamed in the 10th year of the Daoguang reign when Manchu General Zhong Zhixiu, witnessing the first incursion of foreigners into Central China, resigned from office and retreated here to become a Taoist, transforming Hongliang Temple into Taiqing Temple.

In June of the 8th year of the Guangxu reign (1882 AD), Zhong Zhixiu was bestowed the imperial title of "Protectorate Longevity Lingfeng Universal Relief Immortal."

Existing cultural relics at Taiqing Temple: At the first level of the peak, there is a mountain gate made of stone, featuring an arched entrance, situated 70 meters above a cliff, serving as the essential pathway for pilgrims climbing to worship. Originally, there were six sections of wooden stairs. In the 4th year of the Tongzhi reign (1865 AD), Yuan Guoren from Haiyang Town donated two iron chains, installed along both sides of the stairs. The beamless hall has stone walls and a brick arch roof with a gable and hip design. It has one front door and two side openings. Inside, only the front Sumeru pedestal remains, with no other artifacts. Originally housing three Guanyin statues (lost during the Cultural Revolution), the hall is thus called the Guanyin-over-the-Sea Hall, and in front of it stand two spruce trees. A line-engraved statue of Lü Dongbin with a sword on his back is carved on the stone wall 40 meters southeast of the beamless hall.

The Buddha of Guidance is carved on the stone wall northwest of the beamless hall. Seven jar-shaped wells are located southwest of the beamless hall, inside the mountain gate. The Lotus Pond, southwest of the beamless hall, is carved from stone into a rectangular shape, with water continuously overflowing year-round. The stele forest, north of the mountain gate, houses over ten stelae, mostly Qing Dynasty donation inscriptions. Typically 60–80 cm high and 30–40 cm wide, these bluestone steles are said to have been carried up the mountain by devotees. The ruins of the bell frame lie 10 meters northeast of the beamless hall.

Second Level of the Peak: The Golden Light Cave was originally a south-facing stone cave, later expanded with added wing rooms, walls, and doors/windows. Inside the cave are a Buddha pedestal, a kang bed, and a stove. A blue stone plaque from the 8th year of the Xuantong reign (1908 AD) remains, inscribed with "Golden Light Cave" and surrounded by carved dragon-patterned borders. East of the Golden Light Cave is a millstone used by monks and Taoists in daily life. West of the cave, inscriptions reading "Vast Sea, High Sky" in large characters were left by the Ming Dynasty general Lin Tong on the stone wall.

The eastern stone wall also bears engravings recording Buddhist prayers by local people during the Ming Dynasty. Backniuding is often shrouded in clouds and mist, earning it the poetic name "Brocade-Wrapped World." With lush forests and flowing green waters, offering views of nearby mountains and distant seas, it is a refreshing and uplifting scenic gem.

In 1985, the Qinhuangdao municipal government funded and the county government oversaw the renovation of Backniuding. A 1,600-meter stone stairway with 2,056 steps was laid out, along with a 70-meter iron "Sky Ladder" consisting of 105 steps. Three wooden-carved Guanyin statues were installed on the pedestal in the beamless hall, the facade and doors/windows of the Golden Light Cave were restored, and a blue stone plaque was embedded above the cave entrance.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units