Shizhu Temple

　　Jian Shi Wangping is an expansive, level plain, in the center of which rises a solitary peak that juts abruptly into the sky like a towering pillar—hence locals call it Panlong Mountain. The mountain stands at an elevation of 1,070 meters, with a relative height of 51 meters and a circumference of 223 meters. At the summit lies a temple, referred to in ancient times as Chaozhen Temple and nowadays known as Shizhu Temple.

　　　　

　　Panlong Mountain features steep and rugged terrain, with cliffs and precipices covering the entire mountainside. At the mountain’s base are caves that twist and turn their way toward the mountainside. Exiting the cave halfway up, a flight of 238 stone steps winds its way around the slope up to the summit. At the top, verdant pines grow freely, wildflowers bloom competitively, and the temple is nestled within lush forests of ancient trees. The temple was originally built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that a woodcutter once went up Panlong Mountain to gather firewood and found half of a temple bell lodged in a crevice in the rocks. The bell still bore remnants of the two characters “峨嵋” (“Mount Emei”), leading people to believe that it was a divine relic from the gods of Mount Emei in Sichuan. As a result, villagers from surrounding areas gathered together to build a temple on the mountaintop. Over the past four hundred years, Shizhu Temple has survived wars and been rebuilt several times. The existing structure, made of wood and earth, was reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty. It stands 10.97 meters tall and takes the form of a four-story, hexagonal pavilion. Its top features a six-sided, overlapping hip-and-gable roof, with upturned eaves resembling the heads of mythical birds. Inside, there is a front hall, rear hall, east and west side chambers, as well as left and right tea rooms and kitchens—all laid out rationally. With its majestic design, refined craftsmanship, and the ingenuity of its builders, it showcases exceptional artistry.

　　　　

　　Surrounding Panlong Mountain are three scenic spots. To the west of the mountain stands a Qing-era pagoda, and on the right side of the cliff, a small stream trickles out continuously, never drying up even in prolonged drought. On the eastern foothills, there is a pond with rippling blue waters that remain year-round.

　　Shizhu Temple combines the beauty of mountain, water, rock, and cave, making it a renowned tourist attraction in western Hubei.