Huidong Longfeng Ancestral Temple

Huidong Longfeng Ancestral Temple

Huidong Longfeng Ancestral Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Huidong County.

Huidong Longfeng Ancestral Temple is located at Jiulong Peak, Tan Village, Dalin Town, Huidong County. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it was originally named Tan Gong Ancestral Temple. Jiulong Peak lies at the southern end of the Lotus Mountain Range, beside the West Branch River. The peak resembles nine coiling dragons, hence its name. As the temple is situated in the heart of the mountain, it is also called Jiulong Ancestral Temple. In the third year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1823), it was renovated with donations from local villagers, and the “Record of the Additional Renovation of Tan Gong Temple at Jiulong Peak” from that year remains preserved inside the temple.

The Longfeng Ancestral Temple has a total width of 23.8 meters and a depth of 21.5 meters. It features a mixed structural system of raised beams and pier-and-lintel construction, built with a combination of brick and wood. Inside, it is supported by 12 square stone pillars and 12 round wooden pillars. The beams and brackets are adorned with finely carved patterns, while the outer walls on both sides and the rear wall feature plaster reliefs, and the inner walls are painted with murals depicting mythological legends and folk tales. The main gate is inscribed with “Longfeng Ancestral Temple,” flanked by a couplet: “Its fame moves tigers, snakes, and turtles to submission; Its blessings bring wind, rain, and dew without bias.” The main hall enshrines a statue of the Real Body of Tan Gong, along with a wooden plaque gifted in the 15th year of the Guangxu reign (1889) by Li □yi, Prefect of Huizhou.

The Real Body of Tan Gong, whose secular name was Tan De, is said to have been a man of the late Yuan Dynasty. According to the Huizhou Prefecture Records, as a child, Tan Gong often herded animals here. It is believed he possessed great supernatural powers—he could subdue dragons, tame tigers, summon wind and rain, and bring benefits to the people—before eventually attaining enlightenment here. To commemorate him, local residents built this temple. Over time, other structures were also erected nearby, including the Wenchang Palace, Zhiyin Pavilion, Guanyin Pavilion, Dao De Pavilion, and Stone Theater Stage. The temple was renovated again in the 1980s.

In 1984, Huidong County People’s Government designated it as a cultural heritage site.