Martyr Maiden Temple on Shuishan Mountain

The Martyr Maiden Temple is situated 5 kilometres northeast of the county seat.

According to legend, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin staged the Chenqiao Mutiny and overthrew the Later Zhou Dynasty. Princess Chaihua, daughter of Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou, had a strong and unyielding character. Refusing to live under the rule of the newly founded Song Dynasty, she fled to this mountain and later hanged herself on a jujube tree beside Baoquan Tower to preserve her loyalty. Moved by her steadfast virtue, later generations built a temple in her honour, commonly known as the Saint Maiden Temple or Grandma Temple.

Shuishan Mountain is covered with lush pines and cypresses as well as exotic flowers and rare herbs, presenting a quiet and elegant scenery. Built along the mountain slope rising from the foot to the hillside, the temple complex is laid out along a central axis. The buildings are well-proportioned, symmetrically arranged and alternating between solid halls and open courtyards. The whole compound consists of four courtyards divided into an upper section and a lower section. The lower courtyard houses the Lingguan Hall. Lined up in the upper courtyard are the Bell-Drum Tower, the God of Horses Hall and the Main Hall in sequence.

The buildings feature glazed tile ridges with animal ornaments, exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters. The wall murals depict landscapes, human figures, cloud dragons and flying birds, while the colourful clay statues display a rich variety of vivid expressions. South of the main courtyard stands Baoquan Tower, under which lies the La'er Spring. The spring is more than a foot deep and never dries up all year round, and the tower takes its name from the spring. With gorgeous and colourful scenery, the Martyr Maiden Temple shines like a bright pearl embedded in remote mountain valleys.

The temple fair falls on the fourth day of the fourth lunar month. On this occasion, crowds of tourists gather here to pray for children, enjoy the spring scenery and linger far into the day.