San Mountain

San Mountain, known in ancient times as East Qi Mountain and also called Buddha Light Mountain, is located in Fanjia Township, Suizhong County. A precious natural treasure bestowed upon Fanjia Township by nature, its main peak stands at an altitude of 710 meters.

Boasting a long history and profound religious culture alongside distinctive natural scenery, this mountain was visited by numerous emperors in ancient times, leaving many touching historical stories. King Zhaoyan of Yan once climbed the mountain and built an Immortal-Seeking Platform on the flank of the main peak, whose ruins still survive to this day.

In 645 AD, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty passed by this mountain during his eastern campaign against Goguryeo and ascended to its summit. From the top, he gazed south at the rolling waves of the Bohai Sea and north at mist-shrouded mountain ranges, composing an impromptu poem on the spot: I open my robe to gaze the vast sea,

Lean on the carriage rail to admire spring blooms.

Immortal aura lingers o’er three mountain ridges,

Gentle winds sweep across all lands.

Gathered currents span the earth’s axis,

Diverted streams draw water from celestial rivers.

Clouds spread hues above the surging tide,

The sun unfurls radiance piercing the waves.

There are six temples scattered across San Mountain, three on the mountainside and three at the foot. The three lower temples are Buddhist sanctuaries: Puji Temple, Mituo Temple and Maitreya Temple. The three upper ones are Taoist shrines: Mountain God Temple, Earth God Temple and Lingyun Pavilion Temple.

A white Liufu Pagoda was erected atop the main peak. Originally built entirely of wood, it was struck and destroyed by lightning in the late Yuan Dynasty. The existing Liufu Tower, a steel-concrete structure, was reconstructed on the original site with donations from local villagers in the late Qing Dynasty.

In 2001, Monks Shi Daohong and Shi Daxiang came to survey the mountain. Captivated by its boundless scenery wreathed in auspicious clouds, they obtained government approval to raise funds and restore the six temples and one pagoda.

Today, the three temples at the foot of the mountain have been mostly renovated. The abbot, head monk, monastery supervisor and lay Buddhist devotees hold regular religious ceremonies in accordance with Buddhist doctrines every day. The tapping of wooden fish echoes each dawn, and incense burns vigorously all year round.