Wanzhou Ciyun Temple

　　Wanzhou Ciyun Temple is situated in the western part of Wanzhou District, Chongqing. Originally called Ciyun Nunnery, it is located upstream of the Three Gorges scenic area along the Yangtze River, adjacent to Taibai Rock to the north and Wulongchi to the south. Nestled against mountains and beside water, the temple is shaded by lush green trees and boasts beautiful, pleasant scenery. First built in the first year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1851), the temple has a history of over 150 years. Its founding nun, Shi Chonglian, was once honored with an imperial commendation from Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty, becoming a renowned master of her time. Ciyun Temple is a well-known Buddhist site in Wanzhou, boasting a long and ancient cultural history, making it an ideal place for religious activities as well as for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure.

　　Due to historical reasons and years of neglect, the original Mahavira Hall was destroyed by fire, leaving only the ancient mountain gate and some auxiliary buildings. With the implementation of the Party’s religious policies and the promotion of Buddhist culture, the temple was rebuilt in 1989. It now covers an area of nearly ten acres. The temple faces east and sits west, with a width of about 45 meters from north to south and 90 meters from east to west. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, featuring significant natural undulations with a height difference of over 30 meters. The current Ciyun Temple features majestic halls, solemn Buddha statues, melodious Buddhist chants, and the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers. Its incense offerings have flourished increasingly, attracting believers and visitors from all directions who come in an endless stream.

　　The temple complex currently consists mainly of front and rear mountain gates, the Mahavira Hall, the Yuantong Hall, the Three Saints Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Dipankara Hall, the Maitreya Hall, and the Skanda Hall. The grand mountain gate serves as the main exit of the temple complex and is a double-eaved, antique-style building. The horizontal plaque above the gate bears the three large characters “Ciyun Temple,” inscribed by Zhao Puchu.

　　The Mahavira Hall enshrines: Sakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva; the central figure in the Yuantong Hall is the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, with Amitabha Buddha enshrined in her heavenly crown—a representation of Guanyin that embodies great compassion in the hearts of many. On the back wall is a 24-armed jade Guanyin from Myanmar, while on both sides are the 32 manifestations of Guanyin Bodhisattva appearing in various Buddha realms to liberate and deliver beings. The Three Saints Hall enshrines the statues of the Western Three Saints; the Sangharama Hall enshrines Sangharama Bodhisattva; the Dipankara Hall enshrines the ancient Dipankara Buddha; the Maitreya Hall enshrines Maitreya Bodhisattva; and the Skanda Hall enshrines Skanda Bodhisattva.

　　In addition, the temple has newly built a Vegetarian Dining Hall, offering vegetarian meals and a place for rest to devotees and visitors.

　　Address: Section 1, Shalong Road, Wanzhou District, Chongqing