Beiwudang Temple (Shoufo Temple)

Beiwudang Temple (Shoufo Temple)

Beiwudang Temple (Shoufo Temple) is a cultural relic protection unit of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Beiwudang Temple (Shoufo Temple) is an ancient temple that harmoniously integrates Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, renowned throughout Ningxia and Inner Mongolia. Historically, it has been praised as the "Famous Orchid of the Western Xia, an Ancient Temple in the Mountains." Originally built during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, it boasts a history of over 900 years. The temple was officially established here in the 40th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1701). Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty once bestowed upon it the title of "Protectorate Nation Shoufo Chan Temple."

Covering an area of 12,000 square meters with a construction area of 4,300 square meters, Beiwudang Temple is built against the mountain, embracing the grandeur of the hills within its grounds. The layout of the temple complements the rugged peaks, each enhancing the beauty of the other. The entire temple complex faces south and features a meticulously arranged four-courtyard structure that is both solemn and graceful. The central axis structures, including the mountain gate tower and side halls, are symmetrically aligned, creating a harmonious and natural aesthetic.

With the morning bells and evening drums, the temple music of Beiwudang is melodious and soul-stirring. From afar, the giant Chinese character for "Buddha" and the surrounding mountains appear to be veiled in mist, emerging and fading into view. A gentle breeze brings one closer to nature, offering a moment of tranquility and allowing visitors to glimpse a touch of Zen in worldly life.

Over the years, it has attracted countless devotees, pilgrims, and tourists—an uncountable number. But the wear on the stone steps beneath the mountain gate speaks volumes about the temple’s enduring popularity. Standing before the temple, one can take in the entire urban landscape of Dawukou District in Shizuishan, a coal-mining city. Gazing into the distance from the mountaintop, the scenic beauty of the Yinbei mountains fills the heart with joy. On ordinary days, the temple remains serene and secluded, receiving only about a thousand worshippers and visitors. But during temple fairs, it comes alive in remarkable fashion—these are its most auspicious days. There are as many as seven temple fairs held here each year. The lesser fairs on the second day of the second lunar month, the third day of the third lunar month, and the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month are primarily for worshippers and tourists, without formal vegetarian feasts. The major fairs on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, and the ninth day of the ninth lunar month not only involve incense offerings but also grandly welcome thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all directions. On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month alone, the fair welcomes up to 200,000 visitors in a single day.

An Ancient Orchid Hidden in the Mountains—Beiwudang Temple

If the ancient towns of the Jiangnan region exude a harmony of “small bridges, flowing water, and village homes,” then a secluded ancient temple hidden in the northwestern mountains evokes a sense of Zen. Located in Dawukou District, Shizuishan City, Beiwudang Temple sits backed by mountains and facing the plains. This geographical setting keeps it away from urban clamor, offering instead the spaciousness and serenity of the hills. Many assume the name “Beiwudang” is closely related to or even a branch of the famed Wudang Temple in Hubei—but this is a common misconception. In fact, in the name “Beiwudang,” “Wu” refers to the True Martial Emperor, the deity of the north revered in Taoism, while “Dang” means “to reside.” Therefore, “Wudang” signifies the dwelling place of the True Martial Emperor. To distinguish it from the world-renowned Wudang Temple in Jun County, Hubei, and to reflect its location in China’s northwest, the word “North” (北) was added to form “Beiwudang.” Also known as Shoufo Temple, Beiwudang Temple is celebrated as an “Ancient Temple in the Mountains, Famous Orchid of the Western Xia.” Its defining feature is its integration of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with Buddhism at its core. This temple, which has continuously evolved, merged, and adapted through history, remains quietly resplendent amidst the forested hills.

According to the Inscription on the Construction of Beiwudang Temple, the temple was expanded in the 48th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1709) by Zheng Hui, a lay Buddhist from Hongguang Camp, along with Zhou Zhaoxiong from Ningxia Town, who pooled funds to enlarge a small existing shrine. It underwent several expansions thereafter: in the 40th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1755), a main hall with no pillars was added behind the Hall of Boundless Life; side halls were constructed in the early Jiaqing era; in the 14th year of Jiaqing (1809), a pair of stone lions was placed in front of the mountain gate; and in the 16th year of Jiaqing (1811), a three-bay arched gateway was built at the front hall. During the Guangxu era, the monk Guangyu of Beiwudang Temple studied at Beijing’s Tanzhe Temple. Introduced by the abbot of Tanzhe, he invited Empress Dowager Cixi—who frequently visited Tanzhe—to inscribe a white silk banner for the temple reading “Protectorate Nation Shoufo Chan Temple.” Since then, the temple has also been called Shoufo Temple. Figures such as Zuo Zongtang also personally inscribed calligraphy and paintings for the temple, greatly enhancing its reputation. Major temple fairs are held on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, and the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, attracting a continuous stream of pilgrims and thriving incense offerings.

Regarding the temple’s founding, there is also a local legend: In the year of Ji Si during Emperor Kangxi’s reign, soldiers stationed at Shizuishan for border defense often heard calls of “Carry me on your back” while patrolling the foothills at night. One night, after hearing the call, a soldier answered out of habit—and suddenly felt someone on his back. He had no choice but to carry the figure away. When asked where the person lived or their name, and why they were out alone at midnight, there was no reply. After carrying the figure several miles and finding it growing heavier, the soldier finally grew angry and said, “Are you a stone man? Why won’t you speak?” No sooner had the words left his mouth than the figure fell to the ground. When the soldier lit a torch to inspect it, he found it was a stone statue of the Buddha of Boundless Life. Coincidentally, there was a cave nearby, so he placed the statue inside. By the year of Gui Wei, Qing troops stationed in Pingluo were hunting in the Helan Mountains when they suddenly saw auspicious clouds enveloping the peaks and faintly heard the sounds of clashing weapons and galloping horses. Feeling puzzled, they searched the forest and eventually rediscovered the statue in the cave. As they carried it away, it became too heavy to bear near Heidun Tower. A charitable layperson suggested building a temple there to enshrine the statue, but the lack of water halted progress. People prayed silently for divine help. Moments later, the ground became moist, and upon digging, a clear, sweet spring emerged. They then set up shelters, broke ground, built stone foundations from mountain rocks, and used rammed earth to construct the temple walls. Ever since, devout worshippers from hundreds of miles around have visited Beiwudang Temple to pray for blessings, ensuring a continuous flow of incense and prosperity.

Today, as a sacred Buddhist site and tourist attraction, Beiwudang Temple attracts numerous visitors with its serene and elegant environment. From afar, the temple is nestled among the mountains and shrouded in mist. Halfway up the mountain, a massive Chinese character for “Buddha” commands reverence. Reaching the summit and closing your eyes to feel the breeze sweep past leaves worldly chaos behind—a tranquility rarely found amid urban noise. The undulating mountain terrain allows the temple’s architecture to unfold gradually, with subtle, rhythmic variations that create an open and expansive ambiance, making it stand out among the surrounding peaks. Several ancient trees, over a hundred years old, stand firmly beside the temple. The entire temple complex faces south and is laid out in a large rectangle. From south to north, it includes the front mountain gate tower, Linggong Palace, Guanyin Tower, Hall of Boundless Life, Duobao Pagoda, and the Great Buddha Hall. Among them, the five-story Duobao Pagoda in front of the Great Buddha Hall stands 20 meters tall, built in a brick pavilion style with doorways and niches that create numerous ridges on the pagoda body—its structure closely resembles that of Yinchuan’s Haibao Pagoda, though slightly smaller, yet no less classic and majestic. The entire temple architectural complex features varied heights, orderly arrangement, solemn dignity, compact structure, and rational layout. Within it, the wind chimes of pavilions tinkle melodiously, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The various statues in the temple are uniquely shaped and lifelike. The walls of the Buddha halls are adorned with vivid murals depicting flying Apsaras and guardian deities, rendered with striking detail and solemnity. Here, the temple’s layout and the rugged mountain peaks complement each other, creating mutual beauty. The frequent mist and fog enveloping the mountain further enhance the temple’s sense of natural harmony and spiritual aura. Approaching Beiwudang Temple, one becomes enchanted by the seamless integration of temple and mountain. What meets the eye is the scenery of mountain and temple, but what lingers is the Zen beyond the echoes of morning bells and evening drums.