Xu Gongyan

Xu Gongyan

Xu Gongyan is situated about 30 meters up the southern slope of Lion Mountain, beside the Guanlong Highway on the southeastern side of Aozhitang Township. The cave is carved into the mountain, combining natural formations with artificial craftsmanship. It is divided into three halls arranged horizontally. The main hall is 3 meters high, 3.6 meters wide, and 7 meters deep, housing statues of deities such as Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bao Longtu, and Xu Zhenjun. The left hall is 3.5 meters high, 3.5 meters wide, and 7 meters deep, enshrining deities including the Three Pure Ones, Guan Yu, Wenchang Dijun, and the Monkey King. The right hall is 3.5 meters high, 3.7 meters wide, and 4.5 meters deep, dedicated to the “Seven Holy Immortal Maidens.” The total area of the cave is approximately 66.4 square meters.

This cave was carved during the Song Dynasty. Legend has it that in ancient times, a man surnamed Xu who herded cattle here accidentally fell to his death off the cliff. After becoming immortal, he cultivated himself here. To commemorate Xu Gong, the villagers built a temple, created golden statues, and offered seasonal worship. In the third year of the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty (1088), Li Yan, the magistrate of Dongguan County, initiated the construction of the Dongjiang Dyke and inscribed a stele recording the event inside the cave—this stele has since been lost. In the 22nd year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1842), local residents donated funds for its renovation.

Beside the cave are a guest hall and pavilions, with monks' quarters located below. A stone stairway leads up to the cave. The surrounding structures have been renovated multiple times. Inside the cave, there is a “Renyin Renovation Stele Inscription,” as well as a set of exquisitely crafted Ming Dynasty red stone round sculptures serving as offering stands. Xu Gongyan remains a popular site of worship today.