Tai Shan Temple

Tai Shan Temple

Tai Shan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Also known as Tai Shan Longquan Temple, Tai Shan Temple is located on Tai Shan in Fengyu Valley, 2 kilometers west of the ruins of the ancient city of Jinyang in Taiyuan. At the foot of the mountain lies the tomb of Li Cunxiao, a renowned general of the Later Tang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period. The name “Tai Shan” first appeared in the Book of Song. Legend has it that during the Five Dynasties, when Liu Zhiyuan was recruiting soldiers, a brave warrior from Tai Shan named Shi Gandang volunteered with an iron mace weighing 20 kilograms hidden in his sleeve. No one could match him, and he became famous in Jinyang. The mountain here features steep and rugged cliffs, with lush ancient cypresses, enveloping the Longquan Temple in their midst. According to old local records, Longquan Temple was originally a Taoist temple called Haotian Shrine, built in 710 AD (the first year of the Jingyun era of the Tang Dynasty), but was destroyed during the wars of the Jin and Yuan dynasties. It was rebuilt in 1391 AD (the 24th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty) as a Buddhist temple, incorporating five nearby temples including those of Guanyin and the Boy Attendant. It is said that at the time, there was a drought with no rain, so local officials and residents went to Tai Shan to pray for rain. They discovered a gushing spring and believed it was a response to their devout prayers, a gift from the Dragon King. Thus, the temple was given the elegant name “Longquan” (Dragon Spring), and a Dragon King Temple was built above the spring. Since then, Tai Shan gained fame for its Dragon Spring, attracting a continuous stream of pilgrims from near and far. The temple resonated with morning bells and evening drums, and incense burning flourished.