Golden Flower Mountain and Hui Shan Temple

　　Golden Flower Mountain, anciently known as Golden Yellow Mountain, consists of ten peaks surrounding a main peak, resembling stars encircling the moon. It serves as the boundary mountain between Wulanbai in Lingyuan and Kazuo County. The highest peak stands at an elevation of 919 meters. The mountain rises sharply, its summits sheer as if cut, with grotesque rocks scattered all over, evoking images of tigers lying in wait and dragons coiling. Beside the main peak lies a cave that has housed a Guanyin Hall for two hundred years. Below the cave is a spring of peculiar nature that flows year-round, regardless of season. To the west of the main peak stands a temple. It was bestowed the name “Hui Shan Temple” by Emperor Shengzu of the Qing Dynasty.

　　As for the history of Golden Flower Mountain and its temples, the earliest documented account comes from the 37th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty (1772 AD), when Hadaqingge, the Judicial Commissioner of Tazigou Subprefecture, visited the site and wrote: “Golden Yellow Mountain is located 35 li southeast of Tazigou. From afar, the mountain appears golden yellow, hence its name. It spans about seventy li in circumference. On the mountain, there is a cave eight chi wide and one zhang deep. In the 10th year of Qianlong’s reign, a monk named Luoboseng built a Guanyin Hall inside the cave and two living quarters on either side outside the cave. Southwest of the cave entrance, within less than one li, a spring flows continuously from a crevice in the rock, uninterrupted throughout winter and summer, neither increasing nor decreasing.” This shows that Golden Flower Mountain, with its beautiful scenery, naturally formed caves, and ever-flowing springs, was much beloved in the dry and rain-scarce mountainous regions of western Liaoning. By the 10th year of Qianlong’s reign, monks had already selected the site to construct a Guanyin Hall and living quarters. As the temples on Golden Flower Mountain expanded, not only did the number of monks grow (records indicate that by the mid-Qing period, the temple complex had gradually expanded to house over 200 Gelug monks), but visitor numbers also increased, and the temple’s social influence grew. After the 40th year of Qianlong’s reign, Hui Shan Temple on Golden Flower Mountain had become the largest temple complex in the county. Its head abbot, Mao Lun, also oversaw the Hot Water Spring baths. Hui Shan Temple built the three-story “Wanquan Temple” at the Hot Water Springs, appointing Monk Hai as its head. All visitors who came to bathe at the Hot Water Springs were required to worship at this temple.

　　At the time, Hui Shan Temple on Golden Flower Mountain covered an area of 60 mu (about 4 hectares), built against the mountain in imitation of Wanxiang Temple (it is said that construction on both Hui Shan Temple and Wanxiang Temple began on the same day). The temple complex had three layers of halls, with side halls on the east and west. Inside the mountain gate, there were many monks’ quarters, and the number of wandering monks increased daily. Most remarkably, the temple had three large cauldrons. The largest was destroyed during the 1958 national steel-smelting campaign, another was transported to a middle school to hold water, and the last remained at the Golden Flower Mountain temple until 1960. It is said that these three cauldrons could cook porridge for over a hundred monks and laypeople. One year, a young novice accidentally fell into one of the cauldrons, and it wasn’t until most of the porridge had been eaten, leaving only half a cauldron left, that someone noticed there was still a person inside…

　　According to Mr. Yang Zhaosan, who worked at China’s Environmental News in Beijing, he once visited the grand temple on Golden Flower Mountain. What impressed him most was a “human skin” displayed on the back northern side of the main hall. At the time, the area around the hall was densely forested with ancient pines and cypresses, casting a dark and eerie atmosphere. The presence of “human skin” in Hui Shan Temple puzzled most people, but according to some researchers, religious circles have stories of “incorruptible bodies of eminent monks,” or even tales of using “human skin” as material to recreate Buddhist scriptures — the truth remains unclear.

　　The incense at Hui Shan Temple burned continuously for over two hundred years until 1948, when Lingyuan was liberated. In an effort to eliminate hiding places for bandits, a regimental commander ordered the temple halls to be burned down — truly a great loss.

　　After the reform and opening-up, the Golden Flower Mountain Scenic Area and Hui Shan Temple were revitalized and reconstructed under government care. Roads leading into the mountains were built. The main hall of Hui Shan Temple was rebuilt to resemble its original form, and dozens of stone steps were added in front of the hall to create a raised square platform surrounded by walls. The perennial spring at the foot of the mountain was stored in a square well and covered for protection. A small temple was built next to the well. It is said that this spring connects to the Queen Mother of the West’s Jade Pool, and drinking its water can ward off disasters and cure illness. There is also a local legend about a “black dragon entering the spring, and Liu Tiezhu venturing into the dragon palace to retrieve treasure and defeat the black dragon.” As a result, visitors who come here to drink the holy water always first offer incense at the small temple. With more and more people coming to collect the water, the incense smoke never ceases throughout the day.

　　Because of the mountain’s striking golden peaks, its peculiar caves, the imperial recognition bestowed upon the temple below, and the healing properties of the spring water, this place has been revered as a sacred site throughout western Liaoning. Today, riding the wave of reform and opening-up, the Golden Flower Mountain Scenic Area has undergone large-scale planning and renovation. Not only has afforestation been intensified across the mountain, but several octagonal pavilions and winding paths have also been constructed on the mountaintop for visitors to rest. Hui Shan Temple has also resumed its traditional temple fair ceremonies. Even on regular days, numerous visitors flock here daily to escape the smog and hustle of city life, seeking to refresh and cleanse their weary minds and bodies.

　　Although Golden Flower Mountain is close to the city, it remains untouched by urban pollution. It is surrounded by green pines and cypresses, filled with birdsong and floral fragrance. It is awakened by the essence of the sun and moon, as well as the evening drums and morning bells. But what captivates people the most is the timeless aura exuded by the ancient temple, along with the boundless tranquility and the naturally flowing sacred spring.