Huacheng Temple

Huacheng Temple

Huacheng Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Huacheng Temple is located on the high ground to the east of Xialiang Village, Xialiang Town, Xiangyuan County. It faces north and measures 13.2 meters in length from east to west and 7 meters from north to south, covering an area of 92 square meters. According to inscriptions on stelae, it was renovated in the 30th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1557). The current structure is a remnant of the Ming Dynasty. The existing pavilion features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, spans three bays in width, and has a depth of four rafters. It is a corridor-style building. The first floor is built as a brick cave dwelling; the second floor is a brick-and-wood structure. It spans three bays in width and two bays in depth, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof on the second level. The bracket sets on the column tops are of the three-curved single-angling style. A Ming Dynasty stele commemorating the temple’s renovation is preserved on the site.

Origin of the Temple’s Name: The name “Huacheng” (Transformed City) originates from a Buddhist story in the Lotus Sutra. Legend has it that when Sakyamuni Buddha and his young disciple went to the countryside to preach, they were suddenly blocked by rugged mountains. The disciple, suffering from hunger and thirst, sat down and refused to go on. Sakyamuni pointed ahead and said, “There is a city up ahead. Hurry there to beg for alms.” The disciple was instantly invigorated. The so-called Huacheng Temple is said to have been inspired or manifested by the Buddha’s guidance.

Xialiang Town: "Xialiang Town is located 15 kilometers east of Xiangyuan County. The town covers a total area of 173.43 square kilometers, governs 33 administrative villages, hosts 15 resident units, and includes 199 natural villages. It has a permanent population of 16,508 people and 40,770 mu of arable land. The town has 47 Party branches in total, including 33 in rural areas, 7 in enterprises, and 7 others, with a total of 922 Party members—729 from rural areas and 113 female members. Among them, 171 are under 35 years old, 39 hold college degrees, 58 have vocational school diplomas, and 115 have high school education.

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