Zhongyan Temple

Zhongyan Temple

Zhongyan Temple is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Zhongyan Temple is located about 9 kilometers southeast of Qingshen County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province, China, on the eastern bank of the Min River. It is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower temples, collectively known as Zhongyan, covering an area of approximately 5 square kilometers. The young Su Dongpo once studied here, and it is the place of his first romance. The Dongpo Study Hall still stands today. During the Song Dynasty, literati such as Fan Chengda and Lu You visited this site.

Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, Zhongyan Temple is one of the Buddhist temple complexes in southern Sichuan, renowned as the “Finest Mountain in Southern Sichuan” and the “Best Forest and Spring Scenery in Western Sichuan.” The “Zhongyan Academy,” situated at the foot of Cuiwei Peak in the Upper Temple, nurtured the great literary master Su Dongpo. It is a key cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province, a provincial-level scenic spot in Sichuan, and a national AA-level tourist area. Zhongyan belongs to the Longquan Mountain Range, with its highest point being Cimu Rock at an elevation of 616 meters. Zhongyan is famous for its spectacular landscapes, beautiful forests, and serene valleys. Legend has it that it was the practice site of the Fifth Arhat, Nagakuta.

Attractions within the scenic area include: the Fish-Calling Pond, Ox Head Cave, Thousand Buddha Corridor, Immortal’s Bed, Jade Spring Rock, Tiger-Crouching Stone, Three Stone Peaks, Arhat Nagakuta, Dongpo Study Hall, Monkey Head Rock, the “Flying Phoenix” Flower Valley, ancient mountain paths, and dozens of other scenic wonders.

The scenic area boasts rich vegetation, including national first-class protected plants such as Alsophila spinulosa and ginkgo. Various rare flowers and plants are found throughout the area, which also serves as a key wildlife reserve—making it an ideal destination for both cultural and natural landscapes. During the Song Dynasty, the great scholar Su Dongpo studied at Zhongyan Academy in his youth and personally inscribed the three large characters “Fish-Calling Pond” on the crimson cliffs, his bold and unrestrained calligraphy shining as brightly as the sun and moon. This act also gave rise to the timeless romantic tale of the Fish-Calling Marriage. Huang Tingjian brewed tea at Jade Spring and carved the “Inscription of Jade Spring” on the stone wall. Literati, scholars, officials, and dignitaries flocked here to compose poetry and enjoy tea, forming the Jade Spring Stele Forest. Fan Chengda, Lu You, and others also left behind poetic inscriptions on stones.

Zhongyan is a must-visit highlight along the Chengdu-Leshan waterway leisure tour. The scenic area offers comprehensive tourism facilities, including dining, accommodation, conference, and entertainment services, capable of hosting group tours of over 300 people. With its elegant lodging environment, unique local flavors, and warm, attentive service, Zhongyan welcomes visitors from all walks of life.