Pingshan Rock

Pingshan Rock

There is a couplet at Pingshan Rock: “Pingshan stands steeply on the western peaks, the cliffside temple leans against the southern isle.” This was composed by Zhang Dianguang, a local resident of the late Qing Dynasty. Another couplet reads: “The surrounding verdant ridges nurture beauty, the landscape’s divine inspiration gives rise to the cliffside rock.” These two couplets summarize the precarious location, majestic presence, and splendid scenery of Pingshan Rock.

Pingshan Rock is located on “Xitian Ridge,” also known as Golden Needle Peak, behind Shen’ao in the ancient town. For those who enjoy climbing, one can reach it by following the large water pipe from the Shen’ao Hydropower Station and ascending what is said to be 999 stone steps. However, those less inclined to climb need not worry—two newly built roads in recent years allow vehicles to drive directly to the site. One route goes westward from Shen’ao Town along the mountainside road, then turns southward uphill, veers west at Xiongzhen Pass, passes behind Houhuayuan after turning around the Gulaoshui Reservoir, and arrives at Pingshan Rock within minutes. The other route starts northeast from the county town, follows the road up to the wind power plant, turns north after passing Dalankou to reach Houhuayuan, and also leads to Pingshan Rock.

After renovation and expansion, Pingshan Rock has become a rather spectacular ancient monastery. A grand gatehouse hangs a plaque inscribed with the name “Pingshan Rock,” written by Wu Nansheng, former Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Upon entering the gatehouse, visitors are greeted by the smiling face of the Maitreya Buddha. Behind the Maitreya Buddha stands the majestic statue of Skanda, the guardian deity, holding a vajra. The inner courtyard features ancestral halls and reception rooms on the east and west sides, with a raised platform in the center. Climbing the stone steps to the worship pavilion, one sees four pillars inscribed with couplets: “Green bamboos and yellow flowers all embody true form; the clear pool and bright moon reflect the Zen mind,” and “In stillness of meditation, worries cease; with an even heart, the world is at peace.”

Behind the worship pavilion, the Mahavira Hall enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, presenting a solemn and divine image. On the east and west sides are enshrined Bodhidharma and Kenglan Bodhisattva. It is said that Kenglan, dressed in the attire of a civil official, was originally a court official who devoted himself to protecting the interests of Buddhism and was worshipped as a bodhisattva after his death. Behind the Mahavira Hall, nestled among ancient banyan trees, is an elegant and spacious scripture depository adorned with carved railings. In addition to housing Buddhist scriptures, the depository also enshrines the Eighteen Arhats. On the east and west sides of the depository are the Ksitigarbha Pavilion and the Guanyin Pavilion, respectively. Behind the scripture depository, atop a high mound, stands the seven-story “Golden Needle Pagoda,” an octagonal structure that soars into the sky. The pagoda’s couplet reads: “Ascend to rise above the world; climb to tread the void.” Climbing the pagoda offers a taste of the poetic spirit of the ancients. From the top, one can gaze into the distance at sea of clouds and misty mountains, ancient structures and fresh greenery, all coming into view, along with the overall layout of Pingshan Rock. On the high slope to the right of Pingshan Rock stands a gorgeously decorated pavilion with upturned eaves, named “Binshan Pavilion.” The pavilion’s plaque was inscribed by Monk Shi Dingchi, its builder. It is said to have been constructed in honor of a benefactor of the temple: legend has it that in the early Qing Dynasty, a Fujianese couple, Huang Bingshan and Lin Ciheng, came to Nan’ao and settled on Xitian Ridge in Shuangyan Mountain, Shen’ao, making a living by growing and cultivating “golden needle vegetables.” One day, they dreamt of an old man who instructed them to donate their land to Buddhism in exchange for blessings. They followed the advice and built a temple, and subsequent expansions also adopted the name “Binshan.” The stone pillars of the present-day Binshan Pavilion are inscribed with many couplets: “Binshan towers high under the morning sun, the pavilion counts falling rosy clouds,” “Kindness and serenity match the mountain’s enduring will, Binshan and Ciheng’s devotion equals the Buddha’s heart,” and “The truth of Binshan resonates with Zen, Ciheng’s sincerity is the Buddha’s mind.” These couplets embed the names Binshan, Ciheng, and Dingchi. Beside the pavilion, there is a re-erected Qing Dynasty stone tablet inscription, “Binshan Rock Farmland Stele Record,” detailing the protection of Binshan Rock.

In the small pond in front of Binshan Temple, there is also a more than ten-meter-tall stone statue of Guanyin. The statue’s two-meter-high base is wrapped in metal lotus petals that rotate on the water’s surface using electricity, creating a unique spectacle.

The exceptional beauty of Pingshan Rock has attracted literary tributes from scholars and poets throughout history. On one side of the temple’s pond stands an elegant and classic poetry stele corridor, where verses by contemporary celebrities and poets from Chaoshan are engraved on stone tablets, allowing visitors to appreciate both the scenery and the poets’ masterpieces.

Address: Pingshan Rock, Nan’ao Island, Nan’ao County, Shantou City, Guangdong Province

Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Admission: Free