Langya Temple Scenic Area

First constructed in the 6th year of the Dali reign of the Tang Dynasty by Li Youqing, Prefect of Chuzhou, together with the mountain monk Fachen, it is a renowned sacred Buddhist site. The scenic area boasts 85 attractions and historical relics. Among them, the stone carving of Avalokitesvara painted by Wu Daozi is an unparalleled treasure. The thousand jade Buddha statues donated by Myanmar rank first nationwide. Incense burns all year round within the temple, and it is designated as a National Key Protected Temple.

It was built in the 2nd year of the Shaosheng reign of the Northern Song Dynasty by local residents of Chuzhou to commemorate Wang Yucheng and Ouyang Xiu, both former prefects of Chuzhou. Inside the hall stand statues of Wang Yucheng and Ouyang Xiu, alongside the Complete Works of Lord Ouyang Wenzhong, photos of Ouyang Xiu’s original calligraphy and relevant historical documents. Vertical scrolls inscribed with On Factions and Record of Zuiweng Pavilion hang on the walls.

Located north of the Mahavira Hall in Langya Temple at the foot of the mountain in the northern courtyard of Bright Moon Guan, it was originally named Shuzi Spring. The spring water gushes out of rock crevices, crystal clear and sweet and nourishing. It was excavated in 771 (the 6th year of the Dali reign of the Tang Dynasty) under Li Youqing, Prefect of Chuzhou. The celebrated calligrapher Li Bingyang inscribed a seal script epigraph for the spring, which was revered as a treasure in ancient times yet lost to this day. Later, Zhang Yi wrote a stone tablet bearing the three characters “Shuzi Spring”, which broke and lies fallen beside the spring.

In the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1553), Zheng Datong from Putian visited Langya Mountain. Struck by the spring’s immaculate water fit for washing silk hat tassels, he carved the two characters “Zhuoying (Washing Tassels)” on the cliff, giving the spring its current popular name. A cliff carving of the original three characters “Shuzi Spring” left by ancient literati still remains on the stone wall beside the spring.

Nestled within Langya Temple, it is also known as the Jade Emperor Hall. Its construction dates back to the Xiande reign of the Later Zhou Dynasty, though folklore falsely claims it was erected in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The 77th year of the Republic of China edition of Records of Langya Mountain records: “Local legend says it was built when Prince of Langya of the Eastern Jin Dynasty resided here, yet its exact construction year remains unconfirmed.”

The hall is arched and laid with grey bricks. The lintel above the gate bears brick relief carvings of dragons, phoenixes and lions. Inside sits the statue of the Jade Emperor alongside associated deity figures.

The core building of Langya Temple, first founded in 771 (the 6th year of the Dali reign of the Tang Dynasty). Standing approximately 14 meters tall with a depth of 15.3 meters, the main hall consists of five bays. The horizontal plaque inscribed “Mahavira Hall” hanging before the hall was penned by Zhao Puchu, former President of the Buddhist Association of China. The existing hall was reconstructed in the 5th year of the Republic of China (1916). Statues of Sakyamuni, Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Eighteen Arhats are enshrined inside.

Within the precincts of Langya Temple lie 117 stone inscriptions dating back to the Tang Dynasty, including cliff carvings by Tang literati Li Youqing, Huangfu Zeng and Ming scholar Liu Sui. The most precious relics are the cliff carving of Guanyin by Wu Daozi, the peerless Tang painter, and the stone tablet engraved with the Diamond Sutra.

A mountain hiking trail on Langya Mountain first paved during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, stretching roughly 1,200 meters with bluestone slabs. It is one of the best-preserved ancient mountain paths in China. Towering ancient trees line both sides of the trail, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers.

Perched on the southeastern highest peak of Langya Mountain, it features ancient architectural complexes including Huifeng Pavilion and the old Bixia Palace. The palace is currently presided over by inheritors of the Quanzhen Huashan Taoist Sect. Standing at the South Heavenly Gate, visitors can gaze afar: the Yangtze River winds like a silk ribbon, Zhongshan Mountain curls like a spiral snail, and countless surrounding peaks surge forward like rolling tides. On July 3, 1992, a mirage captured here was hailed as a wonder unmatched through the ages.

This palace sits atop the mountain. Every ninth day of the first lunar month, crowds flock here to burn incense and offer sacrifices, gradually forming the grand, bustling annual Langya Mountain Temple Fair.