Temple of Duke Zhou in Qishan

　　A key cultural relic protection unit of Shaanxi Province and a provincial scenic spot—Temple of Duke Zhou is located at the southern foot of Phoenix Mountain, 6.5 kilometers northwest of Qishan County in Shaanxi Province, covering an area of approximately 620,000 square meters. Surrounded by mountains and water, the site features ancient towering trees and beautiful scenery. It is embraced by mountains on the east, west, and north sides, opening only to the south, resembling a winnowing basket. The Book of Songs describes this place as “a winding valley where whirlwinds blow from the south.” Hence, later generations called it “Ancient Winnowing Valley.”

　　Temple of Duke Zhou is located at the southern foot of Phoenix Mountain, 7.5 kilometers northwest of Qishan County. In the first year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD), a shrine to Duke Zhou Ji Dan was built here to commemorate the renowned statesman of the Western Zhou Dynasty, who helped King Wu overthrow the Shang Dynasty and establish the Zhou state, and assisted King Cheng in suppressing rebellions and stabilizing the realm. Through successive dynasties’ repairs and expansions, it evolved into an ancient architectural complex centered around the Hall of the Three Dukes (Duke Zhou, Duke Zhao, and Duke Tai), supplemented by the Halls of Jiang Yuan and Hou Ji, and adorned with pavilions and towers.

　　Qishan is the birthplace of the Zhou dynasty. Over 3,000 years ago, the legend of “the phoenix calling at Qishan” took place on Phoenix Mountain in the northern part of Ancient Winnowing Valley. The Bamboo Annals recorded that in the 33rd year of King Cheng’s reign, he toured Winnowing Valley with his ministers. This shows that as early as the early Western Zhou period, this area was already a leisure destination for royalty and nobility. In the early Tang Dynasty during the Wude era, Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, in reverence for Duke Zhou’s diligence and virtue, issued an edict to build a shrine and temple for Duke Zhou at Ancient Winnowing Valley, initially called the Shrine of Duke Zhou. After the Tang Dynasty, it gradually expanded, with additional halls dedicated to historical figures from the pre-Zhou era such as Duke Tai, Duke Zhao, Jiang Yuan, and Hou Ji, complemented by pavilions...

　　...and various towers and buildings. In the northeast corner of the temple grounds lies a natural spring, which gushes and dries up intermittently. When the water flows, the year is prosperous; when it ceases, drought and poor harvest follow. Locals call it the Spirit Spring. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang once bestowed upon it the name “Run De Spring” (Spring of Moistening Virtue). Inside the Xuanwu Cave in the temple grounds is a white marble statue of the Xuanwu deity carved during the Tang Dynasty. The statue depicts the figure with disheveled hair, bare head, bare feet, clad in military attire, holding a sword in hand, and standing atop a turtle and snake. The jade carving demonstrates unique artistic value. Local legend says touching the statue can cure all ailments, so visitors eagerly make the trip to touch it.

　　The Temple of Duke Zhou Scenic Area is vast in scale, with over 30 existing ancient buildings, numerous Tang cypresses and Han locust trees, lush vegetation, and dense shade. It is the largest and most well-preserved ancient architectural complex in the Baoji region. Since ancient times, it has been a popular destination for visitors. Historically, literary figures such as Han Yu, Su Shi, and Kang Hai visited here and left behind over 140 poems and more than 30 stone tablets.

　　Scenic Facilities

　　“Qiyi abounds in scenic wonders”—this saying is absolutely true. If you visit the Temple of Duke Zhou, known as a place “where culture flourishes and historic relics are abundant,” you will gain a deeper understanding of this phrase. In front of the temple gate stand ancient cypresses, while inside the courtyard, the shade of trees covers the sun, flowers and plants carpet the ground, and clear springs mirror like glass. The temple grounds feature numerous halls, mainly including the Halls of the Three Dukes (Duke Zhou, Duke Zhao, and Duke Tai), as well as the Halls of Jiang Yuan and Hou Ji, along with pavilions and towers. The architectural artistry embodies a rich traditional ethnic style. Entering the temple gate, you’ll see flowers and plants flourishing, and majestic halls. Han locust trees provide shade, Tang cypresses tower above, creating a vast and intoxicating atmosphere.

　　The “Echoing Stele” stands in front of the reception hall. By placing your ear close and gently tapping it with a small stone, copper bells, silver bells, and golden drums seem to chime in unison. Tap it harder, or have one person tap while another listens from the other side, and you might just hear the sounds of an ancient battlefield—“rattling chariots and neighing horses”—echo into your ears. At this moment, speculation, longing, and the desire to explore fill your heart, captivating every visitor reluctant to leave. Descend the stone steps of the flower terrace, follow the scroll-like path of the ancient temple, and among the colorful ancient architecture, pass through the Bagua Pavilion first to enter the main hall of Duke Zhou. The layout of the Duke Zhou Temple halls combines clusters and scattered arrangements, creating a well-spaced, majestic, and uniquely distinctive ensemble. Among the various halls, the Hall of Duke Zhou is at the front, the Hall of Jiang Ji is in the middle, and the Hall of Hou Ji is at the back. Locals summarize this arrangement as “Jiang Ji carrying her son and embracing her grandson.” The Xuanwu Cave within the temple is a stone cavern. Though not large, it features a raised stone ridge, with distinct ravines on the mountain—not man-made—and the mountaintop connects seamlessly with the cave ceiling, as if the blue sky gently wraps around a swiftly growing peak. The statue of the Xuanwu deity sits halfway up the mountain, carved from white jade, believed to be the work of Tang artisans. The statue is majestic, with disheveled hair, bare feet, in military attire, stepping on a turtle and snake, and wielding a sword, fully embodying the heroic spirit of the Xuanwu deity punishing evil. The statue is smooth all over like ceramic, and locals call it “Jade Deity.” Legend has it that the Xuanwu deity had boundless power to cure all illnesses, later ascended to immortality, and turned to stone. It is said he wrote: “For whichever ailment, touch the corresponding part to be healed.” Thus, people with illnesses touch the matching parts hoping for a cure. Over time, the raised forehead and nose bridge flattened first, and the jade Xuanwu's body became smooth from being touched. During the annual mid-March ancient temple fair, crowds flock in, with long lines of people waiting just to touch the deity. Surrounding the main hall of Duke Zhou, the halls of Duke Tai Jiang Shang, Hou Ji, and others ascend along the slope, interconnected. Inside the halls, history and mythology blend, featuring figures like Yang Jian (Erlang), Nezha, immortal children, and various deities from the Investiture of the Gods, who journey from the classic tale onto murals redrawn by modern artists, or become sculptures, holding divine weapons and exuding might. This blend of history and myth captivates even the most rational minds, drawing them into a trance of awe. Exiting the temple halls and turning eastward, ascending steps along the slope, you reach a flat area about 10 meters up, where a small yard made of red bricks comes into view. Entering the yard, a row of caves lines the wall, housing clay statues of deities like the Medicine King, Laozi, and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, sitting or standing in various forms. The “Run De Spring” is a major attraction within the Temple of Duke Zhou, located east of the main hall. Due to the intermittent nature of the spring’s flow and drying up, many magical and splendid legends have formed around it. The Ming Dynasty’s Zhao Zhong praised Run De Spring: “A spring forever tied to the world’s peace and peril, today with no ripples, the green pool swells.” Throughout the dynasties, the presence of water in the spring has been seen as an auspicious sign of favorable weather and national prosperity. In the second year of the Dazhong era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (848 AD), the spring dried up and then gushed again. The emperor associated this natural phenomenon with his own virtuous deeds and bestowed the name “Run De Spring.” As it was named by imperial decree, the name has endured to this day. The spring is surrounded by octagonal stone railings with carved reliefs, featuring dragons, turtles, human figures, and mythical beasts. A passage beneath the spring allows clear water to flow southward, where many visitors bend down with cups to sip and savor the sweet water. Some cup their hands together, scoop the water, and drink greedily—the taste sweet as nectar, transporting them to another world. The Stele Pavilion lies west of Run De Spring. Beneath the pavilion stand numerous stone tablets and steles from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, most recording the history of the temple’s construction.

　　Su Shi wrote in his poem “Temple of Duke Zhou”: “Now I no longer dream of Duke Zhou, yet I rejoice to visit this ancient palace in autumn; the emerald phoenix still perches atop the rugged mountain, the clear spring remains through the world’s ups and downs.” One feels a unique emotion. The natural scenery of the Temple of Duke Zhou is magnificent, its cultural relics splendid, making it a highly desirable destination, but Duke Zhou’s grand achievements and broad-minded spirit inspire even greater admiration.

　　Ticket Price: Peak Season: 50 | Off-Season: 50 | Inquiry Tel: 0917-8110075

　　Postal Code: 722400 | Scenic Spot Address: Temple of Duke Zhou, Qishan County