Longquan Temple on Mount Wutai

Longquan Temple on Mount Wutai

Longquan Temple on Mount Wutai is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Longquan Temple (Second Batch of Provincial Protection)

Era: Republic of China

Location: Mid-slope of Jiulonggang Mountain, Xiaoche Village, 5 kilometers south of Taihuai Town, Mount Wutai

Legend has it that in the past, nine dragons caused havoc, and Manjushri Bodhisattva pressed them under the mountain. The clear water reveals the shadows of nine little dragons, hence the name of the temple. The temple was first built during the Song Dynasty, renovated during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566), and rebuilt again in the late Qing and early Republican period. Most of the existing structures date back to the early Republican era.

The temple faces south and features a stone memorial archway, screen wall, steps, and three courtyards. The main buildings in the central courtyard include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Guanyin Hall, and the Mahavira Hall. The two western courtyards consist of the Gate Hall, Ancestral Hall, Patriarch Hall, and the Pujimemorial Stupa. Another courtyard houses the Manjushri Hall, with side halls on the eastern side.

The stone memorial archway is located at the very front of the temple complex and is an all-white marble carved structure. Below the archway lies a flight of 108 steps, beneath which stands a blue-brick screen wall in a swallowtail shape. The wall is decorated with carved patterns along its edges, and in the center is an inset of a fully carved white marble panel depicting a scenic illustration of the major temples of Mount Wutai.

Although the temple buildings were constructed during the Republican era, the stone carvings both inside and outside the temple are exquisitely crafted, representing rare masterpieces of stone sculpture.

Chegou Village: Chegou Village has a total population of nearly 600, with about 100 households divided among three natural villages. It is managed and organized by the village committee. Due to the unique geographical environment, there is very little arable land. The main source of income relies on the tourism resources of Mount Wutai, with residents primarily earning through operating handicrafts and tourism-related businesses. Animal husbandry serves as a secondary industry, and some villagers also work outside the village for income. In recent years, following the principles of “developing production, ensuring prosperous living, fostering civilized village culture, maintaining clean and tidy surroundings, and promoting democratic management,” Chegou Village has actively mobilized social forces to participate in the construction of a new countryside... More detailed information on Chegou Village++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shanxi Province