Xinghua Dongyue Temple

　　With a history of over 600 years, Dongyue Temple is a renowned Taoist heritage site in Xinghua City. It is also currently the only well-preserved Taoist site. Located on East Main Street in the city, it covers an area of more than 800 square meters. The temple was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and is named after the worship of Dongyue, the God of Mount Tai. Its first abbot, Jiang Kechang, was a direct disciple of the Quanzhen School’s Liu Changchun lineage. One of the most famous abbots was Lu Xixing of the Ming Dynasty, who founded the Eastern School of Internal Alchemy within Chinese Taoism. He also authored works such as “Nanhua Fumo,” “Fanghu Waishi,” “Lengyan Shuzhi,” and “Lengyan Jing Shuolüe.” There is also an academic theory that Lu Xixing was the author of the classic novel “Investiture of the Gods.”

　　The architecture of Dongyue Temple is grand and its layout meticulously arranged. The main hall is especially famous, with a local legend saying that Li Chunfang, a top scholar and prime minister from Xinghua, built the hall to honor his parents, adding a touch of legend to its legacy. In 1986, Dongyue Temple was designated as a cultural relic protection unit by the Xinghua County People’s Government, and in 2001, it was submitted for recognition as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. Later, the Xinghua Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government transferred the usage rights of the temple from the city’s Cultural Center to the city’s Taoist Association, and invested heavily in its restoration and reconstruction. The rebuilt Dongyue Temple includes a memorial archway, mountain gate, theater stage, Four Saints Hall, Lüzu Altar, God of Wealth Shrine, Five Sacred Mountains Tower, Doumu Palace, Longevity Courtyard, Dragon Boat Temple, as well as living quarters, fire safety, and commercial facilities. It is believed that this time-honored temple, having endured the trials of time, will shine anew as the core center for Taoist activities in Xinghua City and a popular destination for visitors.