Jiulong Temple (Zhenwu Temple)

　　    Jiulong Temple, also known as Xuanwu Temple or Zhenwu Temple, gets its name from its location among the nine peaks at the foot of Zijin Mountain, 1.5 kilometers northwest of Hexin New Town in Hejin City. It faces Hugang to the east, overlooks Longmen to the west, borders the Fen River to the south, and leans against Zijin Mountain to the north. With three sides open and perched on high ground, it stands opposite the old city of Hejin and serves as a Taoist temple.

　　    The exact date of the temple’s establishment is unknown. According to available historical records, during the Yuan and Ming dynasties, the worship of the Northern God Zhenwu was especially prominent, and the construction of Zhenwu Temples reached an unprecedented scale at that time. Therefore, it is believed that this temple was built no later than the late Yuan or early Ming dynasty. It underwent renovations or expansions during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, as well as the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi, Daoguang, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi eras. In 1981, the Hejin municipal government carried out emergency repairs, giving the temple a completely renewed appearance. The nine peaks resemble dragons and are commonly called the “Nine Dragon Heads.” Moreover, due to the lush green pines and cypresses covering the hills, which gave off a serene purple hue, the site was referred to as “Crouching Dragon Ridge” as early as before the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. In the 11th year of the Xianfeng reign (1861), when Wang Zhaoli and others from the Chongwen Society built the Chongwen Pavilion and Chunyang Cave, they named the place “Lin Island.”

　　    Jiulong Temple is located on Lin Island, covering an area of over 12,000 square meters. In front of the temple, the Chaodian Slope leading up from the mountain foot is steep, with more than 160 steps. Climbing up, you enter the mountain gate, pass the theater stage, walk through the east and west corridors of the temple courtyard, then climb another 20-plus steps to reach the Incense Pavilion (rebuilt during the Qianlong era), where a horizontal golden plaque reads “Mighty and Mighty Over the Black River.” Behind the Incense Pavilion is the Offering Hall, which faces south and has three bays in width and two in depth, with one monk’s room extending to the east and one to the west. Passing through the connecting corridor, you enter the Main Hall, where eight clay statues originally stood along the inner walls, representing the guardians of Zhenwu. From the Main Hall, you proceed to the Rear Palace, which houses the Zhenwu God Pavilion. Heading northwest from the Offering Hall, you’ll find the Lüzu Chunyang Cave, the Offering Pavilion, the Medicine King Temple, and the Chongwen Pavilion, all connected by winding corridors and ascending steps. Along the way, you’ll also pass the Jade Emperor Pavilion, the Purple Star Emperor, the Three Palaces, the Three Sovereigns Cave, the Laojun Hall, cross the Southern Heavenly Gate, and climb the plank walkway to reach the peak’s Chaotian Palace (now in ruins).

　　    Address: At the foot of Zijin Mountain, Hejin City, Yuncheng City

　　    Type: Temple

　　    Opening Hours:

　　    8:00–19:00

　　    Ticket Information:

　　    Gate Price: 20.0 RMB