Deqing Yansha Guan

　　Yansha Guan is situated in Wulong Village, Wukang Subdistrict, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province — within Deqing Tashan Forest Park. Historical records such as the "Jiajing Wukang County Annals" and the "Daoguang Wukang County Annals" indicate that Yansha Guan originated during the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, when the capital was relocated south to Lin'an (modern-day Hangzhou), Taoist priest Liu Shiyin from Henan, who had a deep love for nature and landscapes, built a hermitage for spiritual practice in Yansha Valley, naming it “Yansha Cottage” to honor the mystical and cultivate truth. He devoted himself to Taoist cultivation, planted plum blossoms across several miles, and the site later became one of the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Wukang — Yansha Cave Heaven.

　　Throughout history, numerous classical poems have praised Yansha Valley and the reclusive Taoist masters. In the 12th year of the Chunxi era of the Song Dynasty (1185), Cheng Jiwan, then county magistrate of Wukang, composed the poem "Yansha Valley Poem": “In the deep mountains, boundless beauty lies; / Guests arrive and together we ascend. / The springs and valleys glow with cool mist, / The misty woods hold the colors of clearing skies. / Hard rhymes make poetry stronger, / Yet the cups of wine defy counting. / Aged now, my fame and honors are secure — / Why sigh over the rivers of Mian and Mian? / My hair has turned speckled with stars, / Weathered by frost and wind. / Years pass like birds in flight, / My life and the world viewed from this lofty pavilion. / The cold jade still longs for reflection, / Why not pause the rushing torrents? / All my life I’ve loved mountain views, / For this place, my eyes shine even greener.” During the Ming Dynasty, local poet Tang Keng wrote "Yansha Cave Heaven Poem": “In olden times, a villa was left behind, / Nestled beside the winding white clouds. / A pure land of wind, moon, and emptiness, / A small cave heaven amid the rosy mists. / The mountain shadows blend with the curtain tent, / The... (text missing) ...the phoenix's call, the dragon's breath. / The hidden realm soaks in the profound air, / And the secluded hut drinks in the tranquil haze. / ... (further verses describe the timeless charm, historical echoes, and spiritual solace found here).” In the Qing Dynasty, poet Shou Rongzhen wrote in "Yansha Cave Heaven Poem": “The green peaks cradle the cave heaven’s charm, / Nestled where secluded immortals reside. / The stone steps wind through verdant moss, / The fairy hall stands by the murmuring stream. / Clouds veil the immortal towers’ tops, / Pines whisper at the immortal’s gate. / In spring, wildflowers frame the vermilion railings, / In autumn, moonlight bathes the carved beams. / The first rays of sunlight bathe the immortal path, / The gentle rain moistens the sacred stones. / Since ancient times, men of virtue have roamed here, / And left their timeless legacy behind. / Now, after years of desolation, / The immortal hills smile with new life. / The phoenix perches anew on ancient branches, / The dragon returns to its old haunt. / The immortal music drifts once more through the valley, / The fragrant breeze carries laughter anew. / I climb these steps in search of truth, / And find peace in this celestial scene.”

　　In the second year of the Yuandade era (1298 AD), Taoist priest Shen Changchong renovated the site. During the late Ming and Chongzhen era, female Taoist Xu Dayun restored it again, renaming it “Yongcui Nunnery.” Over the dynasties, Taoist priests from various sects — including the Longmen, Huashan, Maoshan, and Celestial Masters schools — both southern and northern traditions — resided here. It was later destroyed during the Great Leap Forward period.

　　Dharma does not arise alone but relies on conditions. In 1985, former elders of Yansha Guan — Zheng Dingchun, Yu Yongshou, Miao Yongzuo, and others — returned to the mountain. Under the leadership of Daoist Chen, the ancestral incense was rekindled, and reconstruction began step by step. With the blessings of the ancestors, and the support and efforts of the Party, government, Taoist community, and devoted followers, in the spring of 2003, it was approved as a legitimate Taoist site. In 2004, the mountain access road was widened; in 2006, religious land use was formalized; and starting in 2007 up to the present, structures such as the Lingguan Hall, Jade Emperor Hall, Doumu Hall, Cihang Hall, Wenchang Hall, Caishen Hall, Minhou Hall, dining hall, alchemy rooms, and comprehensive building were successively constructed. In 2012, the Taoist community completed the first round of official Taoist clergy certification.

　　To promote Taoism, Yansha Guan also frequently assists in the restoration and development of other temples. The Taoist community regularly studies national religious regulations, current policies, and participates in various training programs, while actively engaging in charitable causes. In line with national expectations, they aim to cultivate a Taoist body that is politically reliable, morally admirable, learned, and capable of playing a key role when needed. The Taoists sustain themselves through their own efforts, work diligently, and pledge to dedicate their lives to the Taoist cause. Over the years, Yansha Guan has been honored as a County-Level Safe Religious Site, County-Level Five-Star Religious Site, City-Level Advanced Collective, City-Level Model Unit, Provincial-Level Advanced Religious Site, Provincial-Level Star-Rated Religious Site, and National-Level Advanced Collective. Starting in 2017, it has been working toward becoming a “Standardized Model Religious Site.” With support from all sectors, Yansha Guan will surely become an ideal blessed land and celestial haven for spiritual cultivation, prayer, and personal uplifting in the near future.