Hongsheng Ancient Temple in Cangshuyuan Village

Hongsheng Ancient Temple in Cangshuyuan Village

Hongsheng Ancient Temple in Cangshuyuan Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Huadu District.

Hongsheng Ancient Temple is located in Cangshuyuan Village, Tanbu Town. Its original construction date is unknown. It was rebuilt in the 12th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1747), renovated in the 7th year of the Jiaqing reign (1802), reconstructed in the 29th year of the Guangxu reign (1903), and refurbished again in 1998. The temple faces east and has a three-lane layout, with a total width of 18.3 meters, a total depth of 25.6 meters, and an area of 386 square meters.

The central section features a mountain gate that is three bays wide (11 meters) and two bays deep (8.2 meters), spanning fifteen rafters, with a three-step front porch. The beams and brackets on the front porch are adorned with carvings of opera characters, birds, beasts, flowers, and plants. The shrimp-dragon beam is inscribed with a couplet: “The elders sing praises, a tradition long upheld; the goblets remain pure, reverence ever deepening.” The upper inscription reads: “Erected on a propitious day in early autumn of the 29th year of the Guangxu reign (1903), written by Su □hu of Shunde,” and the lower inscription reads: “Dedicated by devout disciples of Ruyafang Laihe Number: Tan Fuyang, Tan Guiyang, Tan Jinsheng, Tan Jinyong.” On both sides of the main gate are embedded granite slabs. The stone lintel is engraved in relief with the words “Hongsheng Ancient Temple,” with the inscription “Reconstructed and erected on a propitious day in the seventh month (of the lunar calendar) of the 7th year of the Jiaqing reign (1802).” The stone couplet is engraved in intaglio: “The ceaseless tides of grace bathe fields and mulberry trees with sunlight; the boundless sanctity brings joy to Lion Mountain’s villages in the southern skies.” The flanking stone pillars are inscribed with: “Benevolent rains bless the vast paddy fields, bringing yearly harvests; renewed governance fosters culture rising from Lion Ridge,” with the inscription “Erected on a propitious day in the eighth month (of the lunar calendar) of the 7th year of the Jiaqing reign (1802).” The lower inscription reads: “Dedicated by the devout woman Lin from the Tan family.” The left stone pillar is inscribed “Erected on a propitious day in the second month (of the lunar calendar) of the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign (1807),” and the right with “Dedicated by the devout layman Tan □□.” The central wooden door in the middle bay is inscribed with “Favorable weather and peace under heaven,” with a painting of “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” above it. There are three stone steps in front of the gate.

The incense pavilion is one bay wide (4.3 meters) and one bay deep (4.8 meters), with its roof forming a “hooked connection” with those of the mountain gate and rear hall.

The rear hall is three bays wide (11 meters) and three bays deep (10.3 meters), spanning seventeen rafters, with a four-rafter front veranda. It is supported by four stone pillars. The roof features a gable and hip design with grey barrel tiles. The left and right stone pillars are inscribed with: “The saintly virtue and divine merit inspire everlasting incense offerings; the auspicious land and outstanding people celebrate the legacy of Cangshu,” with the inscription “Reconstructed in the eighth month (of the lunar calendar) of the 39th year of the Guangxu reign (1903), respectfully written by Tan Jingbo of Fuyang.” The left gold pillar is inscribed “Erected on a propitious day in the eighth month (of the lunar calendar) of the 7th year of the Jiaqing reign (1802),” and the right gold pillar “Dedicated by devout disciples of the Upper Society, Tan □□.” The central shrine enshrines the King of Hongsheng. There are three stone steps in front of the hall. The rear hall is preceded by two side halls with a six-rafter coffered ceiling. The gable walls of the side halls feature eight stone steles commemorating various reconstructions and renovations, including the “Hongsheng Temple Reconstruction Stele” from the 12th year of the Qianlong reign (1747), the “Three Emperors Temple Construction Donor Stele” from the 47th year of the Qianlong reign (1782), the “Hongsheng Ancient Temple Renovation Stele” from the 7th year of the Jiaqing reign (1802) (two steles), the “Hongsheng Ancient Temple Reconstruction Stele” from the 29th year of the Guangxu reign (1903) (two steles), and the “Hongsheng Ancient Temple Renovation Inscription” from 1998 (two steles).

The left and right sections were newly built during renovation. They are 3.5 meters wide and closely connected to the central section. During the renovation, the mountain gate was fitted with ceramic ridges depicting “two dragons playing with a pearl” and “a pair of phoenixes facing the sun.” The incense pavilion’s roof was rebuilt with reinforced concrete. The floor of the rear hall was paved with dark red wear-resistant tiles.

Cangshuyuan Village: The Cangshuyuan Village Committee is located in the western part of Tanbu Town, Huadu District, covering an area of approximately 7.5 square kilometers. It administers eight villager groups, with a total population of 1,257. The village committee is 20 kilometers from downtown Xinhua and 7 kilometers from downtown Tanbu. Huadu Avenue runs along the southern edge of the village. With a history of about 600 years, Cangshuyuan Village features ancient architecture that reflects the layout characteristics of traditional Lingnan villages, exuding a rich historical and cultural atmosphere. The Hongsheng Ancient Temple (Qing Dynasty) and the Xia She ancient architectural complex (Qing Dynasty) within the village are both important cultural relic protection units of Tanbu Town and are recognized as provincial-level ancient villages. The main agricultural... More details about Cangshuyuan Village++