Former Site of the Minzhong Temple

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　　   South Hengxi Street was an old street of Youzhou during the Tang Dynasty, with the former site of the Minzhong Temple on its northern side. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645 AD), Emperor Taizong of Tang launched a campaign against Goguryeo from Youzhou but failed to conquer it and returned. Empress Wu Zetian, in reverence of the late emperor’s ambition, chose a site inside Yingchun Gate in the first year of the Wansuitian era (696 AD) to build the Minzhong Temple, dedicating it to the deceased soldiers and officers. An Lushan and Shi Siming added two pagodas, one to the east and one to the west. During Emperor Wuzong’s Huichang era suppression of Buddhism, this temple was the only one spared among the eight prefectures of Youyan. In the second year of the Zhonghe era (883 AD) under Emperor Xizong, the temple was destroyed by fire. Later, military governor Li Kuangwei had it rebuilt and constructed a seven-bay, three-story high pavilion at the back of the temple, enshrining a standing statue of Guanyin in the center. In the early years of the Liao Dynasty, the temple suffered damage from fire and earthquakes. In the 10th year of the Da’an era (1094 AD) under Emperor Daozong, it was rebuilt, and the temple buildings were completely renewed. During the Jin Dynasty, the temple was briefly converted into a shrine. The captured Song Emperor Qinzong, along with imperial consorts and palace attendants, were detained here while passing through Yanjing. In the Yuan Dynasty, the Minzhong Temple became a popular scenic spot for locals, earning the praise that “the towering pavilion of the Minzhong Temple almost touched the sky.” At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the entire temple was destroyed in warfare. In the third year of the Zhengtong era (1638 AD), eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial rebuilt the northern halls and renamed the temple Chongfu Temple. It was destroyed again in the late Ming Dynasty. In the 11th year of the Yongzheng era (1733 AD) of the Qing Dynasty, funds were allocated for reconstruction, and the temple was renamed Fayuan Temple. Until modern times, the area in front of the temple was filled with shacks and makeshift dwellings. In the mid-20th century, schools and residences were built here. In 2003, the Xuanwu District government funded the relocation and renovation of the area, transforming it into a landscaped garden and reinstalling a stone lantern to mark the original site of the temple. This not only enhanced the landscape but also preserved cultural heritage, truly a commendable act for the benefit of the people. In tribute, it is written: Though halls and pavilions have vanished, the ancient site remains. A marker stands for antiquity, a garden renews the scene. Its history is recorded here, for future visitors to behold.