Huizhou Yuanmiao Temple

Huizhou Yuanmiao Temple

Huizhou Yuanmiao Temple is a protected cultural heritage site of Huizhou City.

Huizhou Yuanmiao Temple, located on the north shore of Pinghu Lake in Huizhou West Lake, is one of China's three most famous Taoist temples and also one of China's twenty-three renowned Taoist temples. In 1993, the Huizhou Taoist Association was established, using Yuanmiao Temple as its headquarters. It was first built in the seventh year of the Zhenguan era during the Tang Dynasty (633), originally named Tianqing Temple. After expansion in the seventh year of the Tianbao era (742), it was renamed Chaoyuan Temple, and later changed to Kaiyuan Temple; during the Song Dynasty, it experienced multiple periods of prosperity and decline; in the second year of the Yuanshen era of the Yuan Dynasty (1296), it was renovated and began to be called Yuanmiao Temple; during the Ming Dynasty’s Tiantong and Tianshun eras, as well as the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi and Guangxu eras, further renovations were carried out. Since its establishment, it has undergone many rises and declines, flourishing most during the late Yuan Dynasty, described as having “spreading double eaves, magnificent decoration, and majestic statues.” In front of the temple stands a “Nine Purple” stele symbolizing the meaning of “auspicious purple air coming from the east.” The temple is divided into front and rear halls: the front is the Jade Emperor Hall, and the rear is the Three Pure Ones Treasure Hall. The two halls are separated by a courtyard and connected by corridors. Legend has it that by going to Yuanmiao Temple via the Yingxian Bridge (one of the “Six Bridges”) to welcome deities and immortals, one’s wishes may come true. Having endured over a thousand years of changes, few ancient structures remain at Yuanmiao Temple, with only the mountain gate still preserving architectural features from the Ming Dynasty.

In 1993, the Huizhou Taoist Association was established, using Yuanmiao Temple as its headquarters. Since its establishment, it has undergone many rises and declines, flourishing most during the late Yuan Dynasty, described as having “spreading double eaves, magnificent decoration, and majestic statues.” In front of the temple stands a “Nine Purple” stele symbolizing the meaning of “auspicious purple air coming from the east.” The temple is divided into front and rear halls: the front is the Jade Emperor Hall, and the rear is the Three Pure Ones Treasure Hall. The two halls are separated by a courtyard and connected by corridors. Legend has it that by going to Yuanmiao Temple via the Yingxian Bridge (one of the “Six Bridges”) to welcome deities and immortals, one’s wishes may come true. Having endured over a thousand years of changes, few ancient structures remain at Yuanmiao Temple, with only the mountain gate still preserving architectural features from the Ming Dynasty.

In 1942, when Japanese troops invaded Huizhou and stationed in the temple, they found anti-Japanese slogans written on the walls, and subsequently burned down the Three Pure Ones Hall, the Jade Emperor Pavilion, and side halls. Due to years of vicissitudes, few ancient structures of Yuanmiao Temple remain, with only the mountain gate still retaining features of Ming Dynasty architecture. Stone pillars at the mountain gate bear couplets: “Originally the Purple Mansion opened in the Tang Dynasty,” and “Marvelously separated from worldly ties by the abundant lake.” In the 1950s, the front mountain gate and left side hall were still standing, along with several statues of deities such as the Jade Emperor. Only a few Taoist priests remained in the temple, but incense offerings continued. During the Cultural Revolution, Yuanmiao Temple suffered severe devastation—the statues were smashed, and historical relics such as stone tablets, wood carvings, and a Ming Dynasty iron bell left by scholars through the ages were completely lost. During the Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo, while exiled in Huizhou, often associated with the Taoist priests of Tianqing Temple, drinking wine and composing poetry, leaving behind many poems. The Song Dynasty’s Ziqing Zhenren Bai Yuchan once practiced at Tianqing Temple. In the Kangxi era, Prefect Wang Ying built the Bai Zhenren Ziqing Pavilion and erected the stone tablet Inscription on the Statue-less Bai Zhenren Ziqing Pavilion, which is one of the older stone tablets in Huizhou.

In 1982, the left side hall was first renovated, with statues of the Jade Emperor, Guanyin, and other deities remade, and the temple was reopened, restoring religious activities. In 1985, preparations began for the reconstruction of the Jade Emperor and Three Pure Ones Halls. With donations from Taoists both domestically and abroad, the foundation was laid in 1987, and the project was completed and opened in 1989. In 1990, Yuanmiao Temple was designated as a protected cultural heritage site of Huizhou City. To implement religious policies, the left side hall was rebuilt and reopened, and the main hall of Yuanmiao Temple is currently under renovation. A Taoist structure embodying the poetic lines “Originally the Purple Mansion opened in the Tang Dynasty” and “Marvelously separated from worldly ties by the abundant lake” will integrate with the scenic spot “Peach Blossom Garden in Warm Sunshine,” adding splendor to Huizhou’s landscape. The rebuilt Jade Emperor and Three Pure Ones Halls are divided into front and rear sections: the front is the Jade Emperor Treasure Hall, and the rear is the Three Pure Ones Treasure Hall. Ancillary structures include an incense pavilion, front steps to the hall, and entrance stairways. The steps before the stairway are split into left and right paths, with a carved Taiji diagram and the twelve zodiac animals in the center, aligned along the central axis of the main building. The currently restored buildings of Yuanmiao Temple also include the Sixty Jiazi Hall, the Three Yuan Hall, the North Emperor Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Bao Gong Hall, and the Guan Di Hall.