Tongliao Qinglong Temple

Tongliao Qinglong Temple

Tongliao Qinglong Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Originally named Ciyun Temple, Qinglong Temple is located in Qinglong Mountain, Naiman Banner. Constructed during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, it was one of the twenty-four temples in Naiman Banner during that era. It was once famous across the Guandong region for its perilous terrain, beautiful natural environment, exquisite architecture, deep Buddhist scholarship, vibrant religious activities, and magical legends. These attractions drew Buddhist devotees from all directions and wrote a glorious chapter in its history.

Legend has it that Ciyun Temple was built under the supervision of a family surnamed Wei from Longwei Gully. The Bodhisattva Guanyin, having taken a liking to the area’s picturesque scenery and solemn atmosphere as a naturally formed site for spiritual practice, transformed into a young girl and was found and taken in by the Wei family. Soon after, she developed sores all over her body that wouldn’t heal despite treatment. The Wei family then asked a young cowherd surnamed Wang to carry her on his back and abandon her in the valley of Qinglong Mountain. A few days later, when the Wei family ventured into the mountains amid thick fog, they heard the distant sound of bells and drums. As they approached, they saw a temple halfway up the mountain with a cave inside. Inside the cave sat the Bodhisattva, while the cowherd stood nearby. They realized the Bodhisattva had revealed herself and immediately bowed in worship. One day, a member of the Wei family dreamed that the Bodhisattva instructed him to build a temple. In the dream, he saw a large ingot of gold before him, and in the distance, a flock of sheep carrying bricks up the mountain as if walking on flat ground. Upon waking, he understood that the Bodhisattva had shown a miracle and bestowed wealth for the construction of the temple. Following the Bodhisattva’s guidance, the Wei family built the temple. Later, to promote loyalty and righteousness, they also constructed a temple dedicated to Guan Yu. The temple complex covers an area of about 800 square meters and consists of the Bodhisattva Temple and the Guan Yu Temple. In front of the Guan Yu Temple lies a natural well with a mouth about one meter in diameter. The spring water is sweet and can be easily scooped up by bending over. During major events such as temple fairs, the water level would rise miraculously to supply drinking water. The mountain spring is believed to be particularly spiritual, capable of curing illnesses, strengthening the body, dispelling disasters, and prolonging life. With miraculous springs in the mountain and sacred statues in the temple, incense has burned year-round. People come to pray for wealth and blessings—and often receive them. The tradition of worshiping and fetching holy water from the temple continues to this day.

Qinglong Mountain resembles a reclining dragon, with its head and tail vividly mirrored in the landscape. The mountain is home to hundreds of species of plants, trees, medicinal herbs, and rare fungi, all growing naturally. It has been designated as a natural vegetation reserve in Naiman Banner. Starting from January, fresh grass begins to sprout here. Legend says the mountain’s spiritual energy comes from a thousand-year-old lingzhi mushroom and a fully-formed ginseng root—treasures guarded by two giant snakes. Numerous mythical beasts and wandering doctors have never been able to approach them. Because the green snakes frequently appear in miraculous ways, people often spot snakes as thick as beams and dozens of meters long drinking from the well in front of the temple. These green snakes are known as the Green Dragon. Those who offer tributes to the Green Dragon in front of the well typically live on a simple vegetarian diet. Thus, local worshippers, after consulting with relevant religious authorities, built a Green Dragon Temple over the well. As a result, Ciyun Temple was renamed Qinglong Temple.

To further promote Buddhism and meet the needs of believers, in addition to renovating the existing temples, the Qinglong Temple Construction Committee decided to build a religious venue at the foot of Qinglong Mountain that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The new temple complex combines modern construction techniques with traditional architectural styles. It consists of a front courtyard, middle courtyard, inner courtyard, and lay practitioners’ area, serving as the main structure and primary site for future Buddhist activities.

Buddhist culture is an integral part of national heritage. Today, in-depth research into ethnic history and culture, and the promotion of the essence of traditional culture, are essential to the building of socialist spiritual civilization and reflect the aspirations of the general public. Diligently implementing the principle of “making the past serve the present,” exploring the ancient relics of Qinglong Mountain and uncovering the cultural legacy of Qinglong Temple hold great significance for boosting local economic prosperity and advancing cultural development.