Tianshui Yuquan Temple

Tianshui Yuquan Temple

Tianshui Yuquan Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Yuquan Temple is located in Tianshui City, Gansu Province. It lies close to the city wall and follows the contour of the mountain, constructed along valleys, cliffs, and terraces.

The central axis, from bottom to top, includes the Mountain Gate, Immortal Encounter Bridge, Immortal Access Bridge, Azure Dragon Hall, White Tiger Hall, Human and Heavenly Realm Archway, Yuquan Pavilion, First Mountain Archway, and Three Pure Ones Hall. At the mountaintop stands a small temple, said to be the memorial shrine of Wei Zhongxian from the Ming Dynasty. On the sides are the Thunder Ancestor Temple, Three Officials Hall, Zhuge Shrine, Tuo Gong Shrine, Three Pure Ones Pavilion, Victory Selection Pavilion, Quiet Contemplation Pavilion, Sage Hall, and Yuquan Well. Above the well is a hexagonal pavilion. The Immortal Cave is said to be the place where two Yuan Dynasty Taoist immortals, Lu and Ma, ascended to heaven. The beam of the Three Pure Ones Hall bears an ink inscription reading “Reconstructed in the 36th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, during the winter season of the year of Dingyou,” while the First Mountain Archway has an ink inscription stating “Built in the 37th year of the Jiajing reign.” Within Yuquan Temple is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Qinzhou — “Yuquan Immortal Cave,” believed to be the site where three immortals, Lu, Liang, and Ma, attained nirvana and were buried. Southwest of the cave is a stele pavilion housing four cursive calligraphy works by Zhao Mengfu, a calligrapher from the Yuan Dynasty, along with four five-character quatrains. The brushwork is vigorous, round, simple, and bold, earning admiration from all who see it.

In May 2006, Yuquan Temple was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level as an ancient architectural structure dating from the Yuan to Qing Dynasties.

Suggested Duration

1–2 hours

Transportation

Take bus routes 7, 24, inner loop 26, or outer loop 26 to Yuquan Temple Station; or take bus routes 6, 10, 12, inner loop 23, or outer loop 23 to Senmei Shopping Plaza Station; or take inner loop 18 to Qinzhou District People’s Hospital Station.

Admission Fee

20 RMB per person

Opening Hours

Peak season: 8:00–18:00 (March–November); Off-peak season: 8:30–17:30 (December–February)

Location

North of Yuquan Police Station, Chengji Avenue, Qinzhou District, Tianshui City, Gansu Province

Source: Qinzhou Government Portal Website

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Gansu Province

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level