Yongchuan Grand Buddha Temple

Yongchuan Grand Buddha Temple

Yongchuan Grand Buddha Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yongchuan Grand Buddha Temple, also known as Huanggua Mountain Grand Buddha Temple, is located in the southern suburbs of Yongchuan District, a key town in western Chongqing. Built in the early Qing Dynasty, it flourished during the Tongzhi era and declined in the Republic of China period. It has a history of over 300 years. Covering an area of more than 20 acres, the temple is built against a mountain, offering a wide view of rolling distant mountains, undulating hills nearby, and the lights of thousands of households at night. The temple is richly adorned with flowers and trees, with a spring-like atmosphere all year round. With its pavilions, winding corridors, and serene surroundings, it serves not only as a Buddhist site but also as a popular destination for sightseeing and leisure.

It was damaged during the Cultural Revolution. By 1983, as Yongchuan resumed national religious policies, Buddhist activities were reinstated at the temple. After years of renovation, the site now includes the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Hall, Maitreya Hall, Hall of 500 Arhats, as well as office buildings, the Meditation Pavilion, bell and drum towers—all fully equipped and majestic. The morning bells and evening drums ring out, and incense burning thrives.

In the temple’s Hall of 500 Arhats, there are 500 statues of various deities including Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, each with a unique posture and an awe-inspiring presence. The practice of collectively creating statues of 500 arhats and building a hall to enshrine them can be traced back to 3rd century BCE India. According to Xuanzang’s Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty, King Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty (r. 268–232 BCE) supported 1,000 monks, among whom 500 were arhats and 500 were lay monks. One of the lay monks, named Mahadeva, frequently made statements that violated Buddhist doctrines and distorted the teachings. Enraged, Ashoka, unable to distinguish between arhats and lay monks, decided to drown all 1,000 monks to purify Buddhism. At the critical moment, the 500 arhats displayed their supernatural powers, flew into the sky, and hid in a valley in the kingdom of Kashmir. Upon learning this, Ashoka deeply regretted his actions, personally sought their forgiveness, and begged them to return for continued reverence—but the arhats refused. So, Ashoka had 500 statues crafted in their likeness and enshrined them in a temple. Since then, the tradition of building halls to house 500 arhat statues has been passed down and spread to China along with Buddhism.

On Guanyin Festival days (Lunar Calendar: February 19, June 19, and September 19), Yongchuan Grand Buddha Temple holds Buddhist services for the bodhisattva’s birthday, initiation ceremonies, and prayer activities for devotees.

Scenic Area Address: Beita Village, Yongchuan District, Chongqing

Transportation: Buses from Chongqing’s main urban areas (Chenjiaping, Caiyuanba, Longtousi Bus Stations) all go to Yongchuan. From Yongchuan Bus Terminal, take a taxi or minibus to the south end of Xintai Road to reach the temple.