Temple of Wei Yan

Temple of Wei Yan

The Temple of Wei Yan is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Temple of Wei Yan is located in Baique Village, Sanquan Township, Zitong County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province. Nestled among the mountains, the temple appears somewhat dilapidated and desolate, rarely visited by tourists. This is somewhat tragic, sorrowful, and unfair for Wei Yan—who was brave, loyal, and instrumental in securing Han territory through his northern and western campaigns—but for Wei Yan, who was labeled as having a "rebellious bone" and was subjected to the extermination of his entire family ("yi san zu"), such a temple still serves as a rare form of commemoration.

Heading west out of Zitong County and traveling along the Anzi Road from Zitong to Jiangyou for about 15 kilometers, you will reach Baique Village in Sanquan Township. A short drive further along the village road brings you to a stone tablet by the roadside inscribed with “Temple of Wei Yan.” This tablet was inscribed by Mr. Xie Hanjie, the president of Zitong’s Local “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” Society—the first county-level society dedicated to the novel in China.

This area is part of the Wolong Mountain Scenic Zone. According to the historical texts Yu Di Ji Sheng and Shu Zhong Ming Sheng Ji, Wolong Mountain is located thirty li from Zitong, also known as Ge Shan or Liang Shan. It is said that when Zhuge Liang campaigned against Wei, he stationed troops here. Historical records from various dynasties, as well as relevant historical texts, all document that Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister and military advisor of the Shu Han kingdom, stationed his forces here during his northern campaigns against Wei.

At the summit of Wolong Mountain lies the Thousand Buddha Cliff Grottoes, which were initially carved in the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (634 AD). These grottoes feature well-preserved statues and exquisitely fine carvings, fully reflecting the exceptional artistic level of early Tang Dynasty sculpture. In particular, the niche featuring Amitabha Buddha and Fifty-Two Bodhisattvas is the earliest of its kind, making it extremely precious. In June 2006, the Thousand Buddha Cliff Grottoes of Wolong Mountain were designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. To the south of the Thousand Buddha Cliff is the site of Zhuge Fort, while the Temple of Wei Yan is part of the Zhuge Fort scenic area.

Ascending the stone steps flanked by lush cypresses, you will see an ancient-style structure nestled among pine and cypress trees—this is the Temple of Wei Yan.

The Temple of Wei Yan is situated on the eastern foothills of Jinggangping at the Dong Changsheng Gate of Zhuge Fort, east of the Thousand Buddha Cliff on Wolong Mountain. The Ziwu Highway (Zitong–Wolong Town) runs past the front of the temple, with the Wei Family River meandering eastward to the north of the road. The surroundings of the temple are serene and tranquil.

Historical Stories

It is said that within a ten-li radius of the Temple of Wei Yan, there are many surnames, but none are Wei—yet there is a Wei Family River right in front of the temple. According to a local octogenarian, there used to be a Wei Family River Temple to the east of the river, in front of which stood three stone tablets. One of these tablets was inscribed with the words “Wei Yan stationed his troops here.” Legend has it that in the seventh year of the Jianxing era (231 AD), during Zhuge Liang’s fourth northern campaign, the main army was stationed at Zhuge Fort on Wolong Mountain, and Wei Yan was ordered to lead his troops to the area of present-day Jinggangping south of the Wei Family River, forming a strategic pincer to provide support—an approach consistent with Zhuge Liang’s cautious military style.

It is said that at the time, the weather was extremely hot, and Wei Yan noticed a forest where large flocks of birds kept gathering, so he decided to set up camp there. Due to continuous bird droppings falling, the soldiers had to cook slightly away from the woods. However, they couldn’t find a water source. Large flocks of sparrows gathered above Wei Yan’s troops, alarming the soldiers, who planned to drive the birds away. Wei Yan also saw the sparrows but was drawn to a white sparrow among them. He followed the white sparrow to a rocky area, where suddenly, the white sparrow miraculously disappeared into a crevice in the rocks. Surprised, Wei Yan tried pushing the rock, which then collapsed dramatically, and a spring gushed out. It turned out there was an underground water source beneath the rock. The soldiers found water for cooking and bathing, and local farmers, who had long suffered from drought, were overjoyed. They called this underground stream the Wei Family River. It is said that Wei Yan often patrolled the area, clad in battle armor, leading his horse and wielding his broadsword while watering the horse by the river.

Later, to commemorate Wei Yan’s presence, people built the Wei Family River Temple by the river and erected a small bridge over it, naming it “General Bridge.” The Wei Family River Temple was destroyed in 1968, and the stone tablet inscribed with “Wei Yan stationed his troops here” has also been lost. However, General Bridge still exists, though submerged underwater—it can be seen when the water recedes during June and July each year.

Current Condition of the Temple

It is said that there used to be a Temple of Wei Yan on Jinggangping, but it was later demolished by government order. The current Temple of Wei Yan was rebuilt in 1995.

The Temple of Wei Yan features majestic halls, with a dignified and imposing statue of Wei Yan enshrined at the center, radiating the aura of a great general. The plaque inscribed with “Temple of Wei Yan” was written by Mr. Shen Bojun, Executive Vice President of the China “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” Society. Along the temple corridor, there are three stone tablets inscribed respectively with “Brief Introduction to Wei Yan, Marquis of Nanzheng,” “Certification Stele Record of Wei Yan Stationing His Troops Here,” and “Record of the Investigation of the Temple of Wei Yan.”

To the left of the main hall of the Temple of Wei Yan is a Taoist shrine, housing statues of several Taoist figures, including the Taoist God of Thunder—Wang Lingguan—as well as Laozi, the founder of Taoism.

To the upper right of the Temple of Wei Yan, there are also the Wenchang Pilgrimage Palace and the Great Buddha Hall. Inside the Great Buddha Hall, there are statues of the Three Ages of Buddhas and the Eighteen Arhats.

Source of Information: Official Website of Zitong County People’s Government

Baique Village: Baique Village is the only new rural demonstration village in Sanquan Township, covering an area of 9.6 square kilometers. It is located 1 kilometer from the town center and 12 kilometers from the county seat. The Anzi Road runs through the village. The village administers 8 communities, with 302 households, 967 residents, and 1,226 mu of arable land. There are 6 Party groups, 53 Party members, and 15 village and community cadres. In 2013, the per capita net income of farmers in the village reached 8,250 yuan.

In recent years, the village has actively engaged in land transfer and agricultural industry development, establishing a walnut base of over 600 mu, a kiwi fruit base of 100 mu, and a rice seed production area of 200... More detailed information on Baique Village++