Great Wenshu Temple

Great Wenshu Temple

Great Wenshu Temple, also known as Guang’an Temple, is located on the east bank of Qingshui River in Taihuai Town, Wutai Mountain, Shanxi Province, at the northern entrance of Ming-Qing Street. It was first built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1736–1795) and rebuilt in the first year of the Daoguang era (1821). The temple faces south and covers an area of 5,180 square meters. It is one of the Five Sites of Zhangjia.

According to the “Inscription on the Reconstruction of Wenshu Temple,” Wenshu Temple is situated in Weijiazhuang Village, Ziyi Township, Xinfu District, Xinzhou City. Its exact founding date is unknown, though local legend says it has stood for several hundred years. The temple is backed by Golden Mountain to the north, overlooks the Five Peaks to the south, borders the Muma River to the west, and neighbors the sacred Buddhist site of Mount Wutai to the east. With its vast terrain, grand halls, and an atmosphere of auspiciousness and radiant Buddha light, it was once a renowned center of Buddhist practice.