Dapeng Dongshan Temple in Shenzhen

Dapeng Dongshan Temple in Shenzhen

Dapeng Dongshan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dongshan Temple is situated to the east of Pengcheng Village, Dapeng Town, Longgang District, Shenzhen, backed by mountains and facing the sea. Historical records indicate that Shenzhen’s Dapeng Dongshan Temple was first built in the 27th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1394 AD). The renowned geomancer Lai Buyi traveled through Dapeng Bay and passed by the Dragon Head Stone Mountain of Dongshan. He noticed a purple aura emanating from the site—an auspicious light—and thus told the local villagers that this was a sacred place. He suggested building a temple there to ensure peace and safety for the region. As a result, Dongshan Temple was constructed. Dongshan Temple was renovated once in the 4th year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1854 AD). After the renovation, the temple was divided into four ascending sections along the mountain slope, with courtyards separating each section. The first section is the front gate, which features eleven steps leading up to it. The gate is adorned with a couplet that reads: “The mountain connects to Pengcheng, untouched by dust; the vein extends from Jiu Peak, blessing the land with spiritual energy.” The horizontal plaque above the gate reads: “Ancient Dongshan Temple.” To the east are meditation rooms and a reception hall; to the west are the kitchen facilities. The reception hall features another couplet: “Do not disdain the light tea when you visit; our monastic life is not as worldly as yours,” with the plaque reading: “Buddhist Connection.” The kitchen has its own saying: “Sometimes old greens are boiled with roots; other times firewood is burned with leaves still on.” Its plaque reads: “Delicious and Tasty.” These inscriptions reflect the simplicity, integrity, and hospitality of the temple’s monks and their message to visiting travelers. The second section is the “Guanyu Hall,” housing a statue of Guan Yu in the center, with Xuan Tan on the right and the statue of Skanda behind. There is also a majestic bell and large drum. The third section is the “Mahavira Hall,” which enshrines the “Three Jewels Buddha” and the “Eighteen Arhats.” The Eighteen Arhats are depicted in various poses—sitting, standing, or subduing dragons and tigers—each exquisitely lifelike. To the right is the “Healing Hall.” The fourth section includes the “Guanyin Hall” and other shrine buildings. Surrounding Dongshan Temple are lush forests and clear waters, creating a pleasant landscape. Wang Dechang, a scholar from the Ming Dynasty, once revisited the temple and spontaneously composed a seven-character regulated poem titled “Dapeng Dongshan Temple”: “Twenty autumns have passed since last I came to Dongshan; now with my cane, I return in the west wind. The mountain, bound by misty promise, is picturesque; time, indifferent, turns my hair white. Petals flutter beneath the eaves where the courtyard stays serene; under the Bodhi tree, the ancient altar feels deep and quiet. I long to climb the crimson steps and let out a cry, gazing afar at the ocean stretching to the horizon.”

Dongshan Temple was renovated once in the fourth year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1854). After the renovation, the temple was built along the mountain slope, divided into four sections from low to high, with courtyards separating each section. The first section is the front gate, which features eleven stone steps and a couplet on the door that reads: "The mountain connects to the Pengcheng area yet remains dust-free; the ridge branches from Jiu Peak, making the land spiritually auspicious." The horizontal plaque above the gate reads: "Ancient Dongshan Temple." To the east are the meditation rooms and guest hall, while the west side houses the kitchen. The guest hall has a couplet that says: "Do not disdain the light taste of tea when you visit; the life of monks is not as worldly as that of laymen," with the horizontal plaque reading: "Buddhist Connection." The kitchen’s couplet reads: "Sometimes old vegetables are boiled with their roots; other times firewood is burned with leaves still on." Its horizontal plaque states: "Delicious and Tasty." These inscriptions reflect the simplicity and integrity of the temple’s abbots and monks in their daily lives and dealings, as well as their messages to visiting travelers. The second section is the "Guandi Hall," which houses a statue of Guan Di (the God of War), with Xuantan on the right and a statue of Skanda (Weituo) at the back, along with a grand bell and large drum. The third section is the "Mahavira Hall," which enshrines the "Three Jewels Buddha" and the "Eighteen Arhats." The Eighteen Arhats are depicted sitting, standing, or in poses of subduing dragons and tigers, all remarkably lifelike. To the right is the "Healing Spirit Hall." The fourth section includes the "Guanyin Hall" and other shrine buildings. Surrounding Dongshan Temple are lush forests and clear waters, creating a pleasant landscape. When the Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Dechang revisited the temple, he spontaneously composed a seven-character regulated poem titled "Dapeng Dongshan Temple": "Twenty autumns passed since last I came to Dongshan’s height, Now with my cane I climb again in western wind’s sight. The mountain, by mist and rosy clouds, is painted fair, Yet time, unfeeling, leaves my hair as white as air. Beneath the eaves, petals drift where the courtyard’s deep and still, Under the bodhi’s shade, the ancient altar holds its chill. I long to climb the crimson steps and let out a proud cry, Gazing afar where ocean waves upon the horizon lie."

Below Dongshan Temple lies a mountain spring known as “Dragon Well.” The Dapeng Dragon Well water originates here, surpassing even Guilin’s “Dragon Well Spring” in fame, and is renowned both in China and abroad. In the past, British and Hong Kong customs officials stationed at Shark Inlet and Nan’ao would often send people to walk nearly ten li to fetch this water for drinking. The fame of Dapeng Dragon Well water stems not only from its sweet, cool, and high-quality taste but also because when stored in a vat at home over the years, its flavor remains unchanged. It is a natural premium mineral water, and the spring flows continuously all year round.

Scenic Area Address: Dongshan Road, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 928 or b756 within Shenzhen and get off at Dongshan Temple Station.

Pengcheng Community: Located to the east of Dapeng Office, Pengcheng Community borders the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, covering a total area of 20.5 square kilometers. The community comprises seven residential groups: Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, Northwest, Wuchong, Sihe, and Jiaochangwei, with a total population of over 14,000, including 630 registered households totaling 1,828 residents. In recent years, Pengcheng Community has been recognized as a Civilized Village, Sanitary Village, and Livable Community by both Shenzhen and Guangdong Province. Currently, the community is striving toward becoming a new modern community characterized by orderly management, comprehensive services, beautiful environment, good public security, convenient living, and harmonious interpersonal relationships... More details about Pengcheng Community++