Xishan Qutan Temple

Xishan Qutan Temple

Xishan Qutan Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Xifeng County.

Xishan Qutan Temple is located in Kupingcen Group, Xishan Village, Xishan Township, Xifeng County. It was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit in 1984 and is one of the Eight Great Temples of Xishan. The temple was initially built in the 16th year of the Shunzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1659) by the monk Qutan, renovated in the 6th year of the Yongzheng reign (1728) by Miaokong, and modified in the 16th year of the Qianlong reign (1751) also by Miaokong. In the 9th year of the Jiaqing reign (1804), the monk Daolin carried out further restoration work, establishing a relatively large architectural complex. The temple was destroyed during the Xianfeng–Tongzhi wartime conflicts in the Guangxu period, but was rebuilt during the same era. During the collective period, it was used as a grain storage facility. Later, in the 1980s, due to years of neglect, the upper, middle, and lower halls gradually collapsed. Currently, only a wooden structure—the side room of the lower hall—remains. It is a centuries-old temple that has withstood the test of time, and holds significance for the study of Buddhist culture and local history.