Hejin Zhenwu Temple

Hejin Zhenwu Temple

Hejin Zhenwu Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Zhenwu Temple is also known as "Nine Dragons Temple," deriving its name from the original nine parallel mountain peaks. These peaks, stretching from west to east, once housed the Yu the Great Temple, Thunder God Temple, Eight Immortals Temple, Medicine King Temple, Xuanwu Temple, Mountain God Temple, Emperor Temple, Three Sovereigns Temple, and Heavenly God Temple. The other eight temples were destroyed for various reasons, but the Xuanwu Temple survived. The name “Nine Dragons Temple,” as commonly referred to by people, has endured to this day.

The rear section of Zhenwu Temple was rebuilt in 1980. Originally established during the Xuanhe era of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was destroyed during the Yuan Dynasty and underwent varying degrees of restoration after the Ming Dynasty. Covering a construction area of over 2,500 square meters, the temple complex includes more than 30 structures such as the Morning Worship Slope, Zhenwu Incense Hall, Zhenwu Offering Hall, Zhenwu Shrine, Goddess Temple, Three Sovereigns Cave, Jade Emperor Pavilion, South Heaven Gate, Morning Heaven Palace, Chunyang Courtyard, and Lin Island.

Zhenwu Temple (also known as Xuanwu Temple) is located among the nine peaks of the Zijin Mountain foothills, about three li to the northwest of Hejin City, Shanxi Province. The peaks resemble a dragon, hence the common names “Nine Dragons Temple” or “Nine Dragon Heads.” The temple stands atop a lofty and precipitous site, surrounded on three sides by open air, resembling an island. Moreover, the hillsides are covered with lush pines and cypresses, exuding a serene purple hue. As early as before the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, it was known as “Crouching Unicorn Ridge.” In the 11th year of the Xianfeng reign (1861), figures such as Wang Zhaoli from the Chongwen Society named it “Lin Island” when they built the Chongwen Pavilion and Chunyang Cave. Long before the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the nine peaks connected to the Zijin Mountain foothills each hosted temples of varying sizes, including the Yu the Great Temple, Thunder God Temple, Eight Immortals Temple, Medicine King Temple, Zhenwu Temple, Mountain God Temple, Emperor Temple, Three Sovereigns Temple, and Heavenly God Temple. Over time, most of these temples collapsed, but the largest architectural complex among the nine peaks—the Zhenwu Temple—remained. Due to the spacious temple grounds, later generations gradually relocated the ruined temples onto the Zhenwu Temple hilltops. As a result, the Zhenwu Temple has been commonly referred to as Nine Dragons Temple ever since. Through continuous relocation and expansion, Zhenwu Temple gradually evolved into a large-scale Taoist architectural complex.

Historical research indicates that Zhenwu Temple was first built during the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties (1357–1368). It underwent various expansions or renovations during the Jiajing and Wanli eras of the Ming Dynasty, and the Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty. The temple complex spans approximately 3,400 square meters in total area, with a construction area of around 2,500 square meters. It features 34 structures in total, including halls, towers, pavilions, kiosks, terraces, slopes, plank walkways, corridors, and memorial archways. All buildings follow the contour of the mountain terrain, with slopes and pathways adjusted to the natural elevation changes. The site features abrupt cliffs and dramatic height differences. To the east lies Tiger Ridge, to the west the Dragon Gate, to the south the Fen River, and to the north the Zijin Mountain. Hence, it is associated with the beautiful legends of the “Eight Scenic Views of Lin Island”: “West River Painted Boat,” “Lone Cloud Sending Moon,” “Wild Goose Pagoda Soaring Skyward,” “Golden Canopy Leaning on the Dipper,” “Huashan’s Sunny Peaks,” “Fen River’s Autumn Waves,” “Flying Phoenix over the Little Bridge,” and “Layered Emeralds of the Original Unicorn.”

Due to years of neglect and damage from wars, most of the temple structures collapsed. Fortunately, after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the then-county Party committee and government established the Emergency Repair Committee for Nine Dragons Temple in June 1981. They launched a donation campaign across society and among the general public, which received strong support from Dong Qiwu, then Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. In addition to financial assistance, Mr. Dong personally inscribed the four characters “Kan Zhuang San Jin” (Majestic Enough to Adorn Shanxi) after the restoration project was completed.

Currently, with the care and support of the Hejin Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, Zhenwu Temple continues to undergo maintenance, repainting, and reinforcement. This historic tourist attraction in eastern Shanxi welcomes guests from all directions with boundless enthusiasm.

Source: Compilation Committee of Local Chronicles of Yuncheng City

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Shanxi Province