Ancient Qinglong Temple

Ancient Qinglong Temple

The Ancient Qinglong Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Situated on the southern embankment at the west end of the Han River Bridge in Chaozhou, the temple faces east and was previously called the Anji Sacred King Temple. According to *The Little Dragon of Pengli* by Shen Cunzhong of the Song Dynasty, the Ancient Qinglong Temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, and the Anji Spirit King was a title bestowed by Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song (ascended the throne in 1068). It is also said that when Zhuge Liang campaigned against the southern tribes, Wang Kang, the governor of Yongchang in the Shu Han dynasty, defended the city against invaders and died as a deity. In the 17th year of the Wanli era (1589) during the Ming Dynasty, Shi Xuedao, the coastal defense intendant of Chaozhou, renovated the Ancient Qinglong Temple to suppress water disasters and enshrined the statue of Wang Kang, granting him the title of Anji Spirit King. Since then, Wang Kang became the Anji Sacred King. Another legend tells that during the Huangyou era of Emperor Renzong in the Northern Song Dynasty, Nong Zhigao of Guangyuan Prefecture declared himself the Southern Heavenly King and changed the era name to Jingrui. As Guangyuan bordered Chaozhou, rebel forces took advantage of the mountainous terrain for cover. Emperor Zhenzong dispatched Yang Wenguang to pacify the Eighteen Southern Barbarian Caves. As the Song army marched downstream along the river, a green snake attached itself to their boat, ensuring a smooth journey, victorious battles, and the eventual subjugation of all caves. Upon their return, Yang Wenguang reported this to Emperor Zhenzong, who then bestowed the title of “Anji Spirit King” upon the green snake of Chaozhou.

The former Ancient Qinglong Temple could also be entered from the southern embankment by descending eastward through the temple gate, which bore the plaque “Anji Sacred Temple,” possibly bestowed by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Ji. On either side were a shrine platform and a theater stage. Passing through the kitchen alley at the back of the temple led to the semicircular temple square in front. The ancient temple had three gates: the central gate featured a stone plaque inscribed with “Ancient Qinglong Temple.” The couplet read: “The boat weaves brocades across the river; the pagoda pens the heavens’ literature.” As both the boat and Phoenix Pagoda could be seen from the front of the temple, the imagery left a deep impression and became widely recited. This couplet was composed by Zhuo Yanchun, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations from Huidong (1839–1890). The two smaller side gates of the main entrance bore stone plaques inscribed with “Chongde” (Venerate Virtue) and “Yijiang” (Support the Frontier), respectively. Though these gates also had couplets, they were forgotten due to lacking the brilliance and relevance of Zhuo Yanchun’s work. The statue of the Anji Sacred King inside the temple wore a yellow embroidered golden-dragon robe and a crown, standing eight feet tall in a solid nanmu wood carving. However, it was not the small deity that Shi Xuedao brought back from Yunnan, which was originally housed in the Xie Family Ancestral Hall at Nanmen and is said to be well preserved to this day. The sacred king statue in the temple is much larger than the statues of the First and Second Ladies on either side, symbolizing martial divinity. The temple also houses the Immortal Masters’ Palace and the Officials’ Hall. In front of the Officials’ Hall is a memorial tablet for Xie Shaocang, a Chaozhou native. One story claims that he brought the statue of Wang Kang back from his official post in Yunnan and enshrined it in the temple, though neither the *Haifeng County Annals* nor the *Chaozhou Prefecture Annals* mention Xie Shaocang. In the corners are two Holy Lords, believed to be the imperial envoys who delivered the plaque inscribed by Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji. There is also a statue of the Earth God and the Flower Grandfather and Grandmother, deities who protect children's growth. In front of the spirit hall are a pair of stone lions and four stone pillars, with carved flowers and birds atop the pillar capitals and beam ends. A perimeter wall surrounds the embankment-facing area, and outside the riverside wall is a sculpted open-mouthed carp. All flowing water within the temple drains into the river through the fish’s mouth. Ten meters below the fish’s mouth, in the sandy bank, lies a sand well known as “Fengkui (Fengwei),” which remains unfaded and drinkable even during dry seasons and droughts, supplying water for local residents—an incredible phenomenon.

Tip: On ordinary days, Ancient Qinglong Temple is not particularly lively, but it becomes a popular spot for people to cool off on summer nights. Every year in the first lunar month, the temple hosts a grand worship event that is especially spectacular at night, maintaining rich Teochew folk traditions—well worth witnessing.