Lingquan Temple stands on Lingquan Hill in the eastern part of Suining City, facing Guangde Temple across the Fujiang River. Built along the hillside, it is shaded by towering ancient pines and cypresses.

A clear, sweet spring flows on the mountain, never overflowing or drying up all year round, which gives the place its name "Lingquan (Spiritual Spring)". It is recorded that Su Dongpo once inscribed a poem named Seven Springs on a stone wall here, though the inscription no longer exists today.

The temple was first erected during the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty (581–600) and originally named Shengfo Temple. It was renamed after the mountain upon reconstruction in 1490, the third year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty. According to historical records, a stone statue of Sakyamuni suddenly appeared here after three days of heavy fog in the Sui Dynasty, leading to the founding of the temple. It was granted the name Zisheng Courtyard by an emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty.

In its heyday from the Sui to the Ming dynasties, the temple enjoyed booming incense. Pilgrims from all over southwest China flocked here. Known as the Sacred Land of Lingquan and the Western Paradise, it was almost as famous as Mount Putuo in the South China Sea and has been included in the Dictionary of National Scenic Spots.

Now it serves as a major Buddhist activity center and tourist resort in central Sichuan. Every year, large crowds of believers gather here on the 19th day of the second, sixth and ninth lunar months, which mark the birthday, tonsure day and enlightenment day of the Goddess of Mercy respectively, creating a lively and bustling scene.