Lingqing Temple in Ruicheng

Lingqing Temple in Ruicheng

Lingqing Temple in Ruicheng is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Lingqing Temple

Lingqing Temple (Fifth Batch of National Heritage Sites)

Era: Yuan

Address: 25 km northeast of Ruicheng County, Xipo Town, Po

Tou Village, west

Lingqing Temple is a famous temple from the Yuan Dynasty, located at Sili Village at the foot of the beautiful Ganzao Mountain. The renowned Gongshui Stream flows gently by, splitting into two behind the temple, encircling it before merging again at the mountain gate. Descending from the gate, you’ll be greeted by lush woods and bamboo, shaded by green canopies, with birds chirping softly. Looking around, you’ll see scattered courtyards and cave dwellings dotting the landscape. Further afield, the unique peaks of Ganzao Mountain rise amid light mist, with terraced fields and orchard belts stretching out. The entire temple and village blend harmoniously, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, preserving a simple, tranquil, elegant, and peaceful rural charm — making it a perfect retreat. If the air here could be bottled and sold for dollars, it would likely fetch a high price.

In addition to preserving dozens of highly valuable stone steles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the existing Mahavira Hall has also withstood the test of time, remaining an authentic Yuan Dynasty structure. The hall features a grand and majestic design, with imposing and spectacular architecture, simple yet magnificent bracket sets, and bold, unrestrained beams and frames. To increase the usable interior space, the “column-reduction” construction technique was employed — with large bracket arms extending directly from the rear ends of the front eave bracket sets to support the lower part of the horizontal beam, thereby reducing the load on the main beam span. This represents a major structural innovation in Yuan Dynasty architecture and provides valuable physical material for the study of Yuan Dynasty architectural forms.

Historical records indicate that in the Yuan Dynasty’s Wushen year (1368), a military officer harassed the temple and stole property, but was reported to the imperial court by a monk named Liaowu. The emperor issued an edict to deal with the matter, showing the royal attention given to the temple at the time. From inscriptions on the steles, it is evident that the temple has been repaired and maintained through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, allowing this exquisite hall to survive to this day. The days of resonating bells, incense smoke, and bustling worship feel long gone, but even in more recent times, every year on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, a temple fair is held here. The hall fills with incense smoke and the sound of wooden fish, as crowds pour in from surrounding villages and gather under the stage in front of the temple. Stalls selling various snacks such as cold noodles and twisted dough sticks line the roadsides, while the sound of brewing sweet fermented rice wafts from the stoves. Actors on stage sing melodiously, and the sounds of gongs, drums, and strings echo across the countryside. Sili Village becomes as lively as during a festival. With emerald mountains, golden fields, joyful people, and neighing horses, it paints a harmonious and idyllic picture of peace and prosperity.

Stepping out of the temple gate and gazing at the distant mountains and nearby waters, embraced by endless greenery and breathing in the fresh, sweet air, one can’t help but envision such a scene: towering halls with lingering bell chimes, lush bamboo groves with murmuring streams, quiet and serene farmsteads, and travelers from all over coming here for vacation. They enjoy pollution-free fruits and vegetables, drink natural spring water, savor rural dishes with southern Shanxi flavors, while children play on the hillsides, couples stroll through the bamboo forests, and elders immerse themselves in the profound culture of Buddhism. It’s truly a resort full of pastoral charm.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units