Huangge Temple

Huangge Temple, also known as Huangge Bao'en Temple, stands on Jinfeng Mountain at the northern corner of Husa Township Government in Longchuan County, at an altitude of 1,470 metres. First constructed during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (around 1387 AD), the complex consists of two courtyards. The upper courtyard is called Huangge Temple and the lower one Bao'en Temple, collectively referred to simply as Huangge Temple by local people.

Huangge Temple and Bao'en Temple combine Taoism and Buddhism. The upper Huangge Temple enshrines statues of the Jade Emperor and other Taoist deities, making it a Taoist shrine. The lower Bao'en Temple houses statues of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha as well as other Buddhist figures, functioning as a Buddhist temple.

Why do Taoist and Mahayana Buddhist shrines survive in this region where the Achang people mainly follow Theravada Buddhism? The legend of Huangge Temple tells the story.

More than 600 years ago during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Mu Ying, Marquis of Xiping, led troops into western Yunnan to settle conflicts among feudal chieftains. Back then, troops marched entirely on foot with pack animals along narrow rugged trails. They encountered perilous mountains and torrential rivers, suffering heavy losses.

Caught in a dilemma, Mu Ying dozed off over a battle map and had a dream: the Jade Emperor sent the Goddess of the Earth to him. He bowed respectfully and begged for her help. The goddess told him, "March forward with resolve, and you will triumph once you reach your destination." When Mu Ying asked where the destination was, she only replied, "Just follow the white stag." With that, she vanished.

Mu Ying woke up in bewilderment. To his surprise, a white stag stood right before him. His spirits lifted immediately, and he ordered the army to break camp and advance. The white stag led his troops across the Gaoligong Mountain, over the Longchuan River and past Windblown Slope, until they reached the foot of Laijie Mountain in Husa. There the stag disappeared without a trace. Realising he had arrived, Mu Ying ordered his soldiers to set up camp in today's Langguang area.

At that time, chieftains on the frontier frequently fought with one another. The chieftain of Ganya commanded a powerful army and often seized neighbouring lands. Husa, poor and weak, faced constant risk of invasion. To fend off the threat, Mu Ying mobilised the Achang and other local residents to stand ready for resistance.

One day, the Ganya chieftain launched a sudden fierce attack on Husa. Villagers beat gongs to gather militiamen. It rained continuously for days, and weapons were in short supply. Locals armed themselves with long knives and wooden clubs, put on rain capes, and hurried to occupy the mountain ridge facing the enemy. They reached the hilltop first. When Ganya’s soldiers climbed halfway up the mountain, they saw a dense crowd on the summit. The fluttering rain capes made the militiamen look like winged warriors about to take flight. Panicked shouts spread among the invaders: "These are divine soldiers with wings we have never seen!" The enemy fled headlong without daring to advance, and never dared launch another attack again. This bloodless victory earned the local militia the famous title of "Flying Troops".

Elated by the great victory, Mu Ying went hunting. He spotted a white stag and chased it up the hillside of Laijie Mountain. The deer stood motionless. Mu Ying shot three arrows but missed. He loosed a fourth arrow and saw the creature fall as if struck. Rushing forward, he found no deer—only a white wooden marker pierced by his arrow. He marvelled at the miracle and realised this was exactly where the stag had vanished. Surrounded by green hills on three sides and a fertile basin ahead with mountain streams flowing nearby, he recognised this as a treasured land.

Mu Ying attributed his victory to the blessing of the Jade Emperor. He picked up a writing brush and inscribed five characters Huangge Bao'en Temple on the wooden marker, then planted it on the spot. He resolved to build the temple here to express gratitude to the Jade Emperor and Guanyin Bodhisattva for their divine protection. Craftsmen were summoned to start construction under his personal supervision. This marks the origin of Huangge Bao'en Temple.

After Mu Ying’s garrison was stationed here, troops of Han and other ethnic groups stayed in Husa for a long time, followed by continuous Han migrants from inland China. Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism from central China were introduced to this area. Over time, some Theravada Buddhist Achang believers also embraced Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. Huangge Temple thus became a unique shrine integrating three religions: Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and Taoism