Tianyang Lotus Mountain

Tianyang Lotus Mountain

Lotus Mountain is located in Nonglun Village, Xinli Village, Namang Town, Tianyang County, more than 60 kilometers from the county seat. It is named after its shape, which closely resembles a blooming lotus flower. The Lotus Mountain Temple was first built in the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1862), historically known as Ciyun Pavilion. It was jointly funded by people from all walks of life and the general public of Fengyi Prefecture. The architectural complex consists of five ascending sections with three rooms each—namely the North Pole Buddha Hall, Guanyin Palace, Buddha Mother Palace, Eight Immortals Palace, and Longevity Star Palace—all built entirely from stone materials. Construction was completed in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890), when 22 stone tablets were erected. The Lotus Mountain Temple is situated on Lotus Mountain, located in Nonglun Village, Xinli Village, Namang Town, Tianyang County, at the border with Nongxian Village, Shuangda Village, Qinhua Township. The ancient post road from Fengyi (now Tianyang) to Jing’an Prefecture (now Debao) passes along the northern mountainside. Stone steps lead up to the temple on the mountain. Every year, over ten thousand visitors come to worship, pray, and sightsee. It earned its name due to the summit’s remarkable resemblance to a blooming lotus flower. The temple sits atop Lotus Mountain, which stands at an elevation of 700 meters. The site is enclosed by a stone wall. Historically known as Ciyun Pavilion, the architectural complex is constructed from stone and wood in a five-section layout. Its construction began in the first year of the Tongzhi reign (1862) during the Qing Dynasty, funded through donations from officials such as Li Zhichun of Fengyi Prefecture and the general populace. It was completed in October of the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890), taking 20 years in total. The five sections of the temple are, in order: the First Gate, Guanyin Palace, Buddha Mother Palace, Longevity Star Palace, and Eight Immortals Palace. On both sides of the second section, the Jiuru Palace and Flower King Palace were added. There are 22 stone tablets standing within the courtyard. During the 1950s and 1960s, the temple's roofing, altars, and statues were destroyed. Restoration took place in the late 1990s, making it the only ancient temple preserved to this day in the county. In 1983, it was designated as a cultural relics protection unit by the county government.