Tiger Head Guan Yu Temple

　　as one of China’s scenic spots in the Dictionary of Scenic Spots in China. In 1984, it was listed as a county-level cultural relic under protection. In 1986, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the provincial government. It is situated due south of Hutou Town, on the left bank of the Ussuri River, nestled against a mountain and near water. On the western side, there are 84 stone steps leading directly up to the hill behind the temple. The temple foundation is 17 meters long and 4.54 meters high, built from wood. It is surrounded by decorative walls, topped with black tiles, featuring double eaves, flying corners, and interlocking brackets. A couplet hangs on both sides of the temple gate: the upper line reads “Those who truly know me are only found in the Spring and Autumn Annals”; the lower line reads “My greatest wish is to learn from Confucius.” The temple has a two-courtyard structure. The front hall contains eight main pillars, all carved with the design of two dragons playing with a pearl. Weapon racks on both sides display golden melons, battle axes, ceremonial halberds, spears, swords, spears, and halberds. Entering the covered porch, there are four parallel main pillars, with stone drums at their bases and dragon-carved swallows’ tails at the tops, facing four painted folding screens depicting the “Hundred Ancient Scenes.” Opening the screens leads into the main hall of the temple, which houses seven statues — at the center is Guan Yu, with six attendants below: on the left, Kṣitigarbha, the judge, and Guan Ping; on the right, the Mountain God, a little demon, and Zhou Cang. Behind the statues and on the side colored screens are paintings of “Five Dragons Hiding in Clouds,” “Zhao Gao Seeking Longevity,” “Pine and White Crane,” and “Scenes from the Three Kingdoms.”

　　Guan Yu (162~220)　　Guan Yu (162?–220), of Han ethnicity. Born during the Yanxi era of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty, courtesy name Yunchang, original courtesy name Changsheng, hailing from Xieliang in Hedong (present-day Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province). A renowned general of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, serving as General of the Vanguard, Marquis of Hanshou Ting, and a military strategist. After his death, he was revered by the people and honored by successive imperial courts, being worshipped as the Divine Lord Guan, referred to as Sangharama Bodhisattva in Buddhism, and respectfully called “Lord Guan.” Later rulers revered Guan Yu as the “Martial Saint,” equal in status to Confucius, the “Civil Saint.” Following Liu Bei Guan Yu’s original courtesy name was Changsheng, later changed to Yunchang. In his early years, after being involved in some trouble, he fled his hometown to Zhuojun in Youzhou (present-day Zhuozhou City, Hebei Province). In the first year of the Zhongping era... Details+