Dongfu Temple

Dongfu Temple

Dongfu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dongfu Temple

In the northeastern part of Raoping County on the border of Fujian and Guangdong, there stands the majestic Lidoudong Mountain, towering at an elevation of 1,046 meters. It gets its name from its plow-like shape. Overlooking layers of undulating peaks and dense forests, deep within the mountain lies an ancient temple called “Dongfu Temple.” Established in the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt in 1982.

The temple was first constructed in the 11th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the year of Bingyin (1746), under the special imperial decree, through fundraising efforts led by Monk Renshan, a fully ordained monk. It covers an area of over 400 square meters. In the 15th year of the Jiaqing reign (1810), Master Yan presided over the consecration ceremony. To this day, a rare cultural relic remains: a scroll of the Heart Sutra (Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra) written on silk brocade. The temple once housed a golden plaque inscribed with “Imperial Edict and Decree,” but unfortunately, it has been lost. Liu Yinghua, a successful candidate in the imperial examination during the Daoguang era, composed a poem titled “Slanting Sunlight over the Zen Grove,” one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Dongjing. During the Republican period, the temple was demolished multiple times. In the spring of 1982, devotees raised funds to rebuild it, giving the temple a completely renewed look. The temple faces west while sitting to the east, aligned along the Yixin (secondary) line, situated on a long, snake-shaped plot of land. The temple houses potted plants of rare and exotic flowers, exuding a serene and refined atmosphere. Looking up through the courtyard to the pointed peak of Zijijian, it strikingly resembles a floating royal crown. On the left corridor inside the temple is the “Lingyan Pavilion,” symbolizing the Confucian saying, “If a man wishes to ascend to the Lingyan Pavilion, he must value merit over wealth” (a quote from Zhu Xi), representing a place of study for scholars during the Qing Dynasty. Behind the temple lie three graves belonging to monks and Taoists: first, the stupa of “Imperial Decree Monk Renshan, the Dharma Master Who Rebuilt Dongfu Temple in the Year of Bingyin of Qianlong,” with an inscription beside the stele noting that disciples from the three major branches would worship him perpetually; second, the memorial tablet of “Deceased Novice Monk Zhanming, the Righteousness Devotee,” erected in the 23rd year of the Jiaqing reign, the year of Wuyin (1818); third, the tombstone of “Zhang — Person,” erected in the year of Guihai of the Republican era (1923). All tombstones are well-preserved. In front of the temple gate lies a huge “Jiezi Stone,” which vividly resembles a crouching insect. The ancient temple is also surrounded by scenic spots such as the “Immortal Stone” and the “Rice-eating Stone,” each with its own legendary tales.

Source: Chaozhou Government Website

Shangrao Town: Shangrao Town is located in the northern part of Raoping County. The town is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north. It borders Fujian Province to the east, Dabu County of the same province to the west, connects to Raoyang Town of the same county to the south, and lies adjacent to Shangshan Town to the north. The town covers an area of 52.67 square kilometers, with mountainous areas spanning over 40,000 mu and arable land of 10,670 mu. The total population is 41,865, governed by 13 village committees and two neighborhood committees—Maoshi and Bashi. Major grain crops include rice, wheat, dryland crops, and sweet potatoes, while economic crops consist of tea, lychee, longan, plum, olive, and pomelo. The town has four hydropower stations of varying sizes...   More detailed information about Shangrao Town++