Cui Fu Jun Temple in Dongshandi

Cui Fu Jun Temple in Dongshandi

Cui Fu Jun Temple in Dongshandi is a cultural tourism attraction.

Cui Fu Jun Temple in Dongshandi is located to the west of Dongshandi Village, Wangqiao Town, Xiangyuan County. It faces south and features a two-courtyard layout, measuring 22.75 meters in width from east to west and 39.15 meters in length from north to south, covering an area of approximately 890.7 square meters. The exact date of its establishment is unknown, but the existing structure dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Along the central axis from south to north are the mountain gate (theater stage) and the main hall, each with three bays; symmetrically arranged on both sides are the east and west dressing rooms, each with three bays, the east and west side rooms, each with three bays, the east and west side towers, each with six bays, and the east and west wing halls, each with three bays. The main hall is built on a bluestone platform 0.6 meters high, with a width of three bays and a depth of five rafters, featuring a five-rafter front beam paired with a single-step beam, and a six-rafter front corridor-style framework. The wooden carvings on the front eaves have been destroyed, and the front eave wall was newly built in recent years, covering the bracket sets. The mountain gate consists of upper and lower sections: the lower level is built with blue bricks and houses the temple gate in the center; the upper level is a reverse-facing theater stage, with a width of three bays and a depth of four rafters, a five-rafter framework, a single-eave flush gable roof, with three-step single-kick bracket sets at the column tops. The decorative fittings are missing, but the railing patterns are exquisitely carved. Inside the temple is a stele from the first year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1821) commemorating renovations. The temple enshrines the statue of the deity Cui Fu Jun.

Cui Fu Jun, whose surname was Cui and given name Jue, courtesy name Zi Yu, was a native of Leting in the Tang Dynasty. His father, Cui Rang, was known for his philanthropy. Approaching fifty and without a son, he and his wife prayed at the Northern Sacred Peak Shrine for a child. That night, the couple dreamed of a young boy holding a box containing two beautiful jade pieces, which they were asked to swallow. As a result, Lady Cui became pregnant and gave birth to a son on the sixth day of the sixth month in the third year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (607 AD), whom they named Jue. From a young age, Cui Jue was remarkable in appearance, intelligent, and eager to learn.

In the seventh year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (633 AD), Cui Jue entered official service and was appointed as the magistrate of Zhangzi County. It is said that he “handled earthly affairs during the day” and “adjudicated underworld cases at night.” After his death, he was deified by the Heavenly Emperor as the Earth God of Cizhou, and a shrine was built in his honor. After the An Lushan Rebellion, because he had appeared to Emperor Xuanzong, he was honored as the Spirit Saint Protectorate Marquis. In the second year of the Jingyou era of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1035 AD), he was further posthumously titled as the Protectorate Manifest-Response Duke. In the second year of the Yuanfu era (1099 AD), his title was changed to Protectorate Manifest-Response King. When the Jin army advanced southward, Cui Jue appeared miraculously to block their path, and the clay horse carried Emperor Kang across. In the thirteenth year of the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1186 AD), he was titled “True Lord.” With the elevation of Cui Jue’s titles, Cui Fu Jun Temples were established starting from Cizhou and spread throughout the country.

Legend has it that when Cui Jue served as the magistrate of Zhangzi County, a tiger injured the son of an elderly woman. The old woman, having no one to rely on, brought her complaint to the county office. Cui Jue then ordered someone to present a formal petition to the Mountain God Shrine, after which the tiger obediently came out and followed the officer to the county office. Cui Jue ruled that the tiger should support the old woman. Thereafter, the tiger kept bringing wild game to the old woman’s door, and she made a living by selling the game until her death.

Dongshandi Village: General Overview

Dongshandi Village is situated in the southern part of Wangqiao Town, Xiangyuan County. It borders the Taiyuan–Jiaozuo Railway and Yuhuang Highway to the east, and connects to the southern outer ring road of the county town to the north. The village has a total of 209 households and 776 residents, with 1,160 mu of arable land. In 2010, the total economic income of the village was 10.48 million yuan, and the per capita income of farmers reached 6,303 yuan. The village Party branch has three Party groups, with a total of 39 Party members, including five female Party members.

Dongshandi Village was originally a coal-dependent community. After the coal mine closed in 2008, the collective economy experienced a downturn. How to transition... Detailed information about Dongshandi Village++