Chongfu Temple was first built in the early Northern Song Dynasty. By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, i[...]
Chongfu Temple was first built in the early Northern Song Dynasty. By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, it was destroyed by a great fire and rebuilt soon after. After the Ming Dynasty, it has been repeatedly repaired. The existing main hall and the rear hall were renovated at the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Chongfu Temple covers an area of about 15 mu. The temple is divided into three halls, with a unique regulatory style. In the front is the Maitreya Hall, where the Maitreya Buddha is enshrined. There are also four Heavenly Kings beside it, about two zhang high, majestic and imposing. To the left of the front hall is Shanqing Tower, and to the right is Fulu Pavilion. In the center is the Daxiong Baodian (Great Hero Hall).
In the rear hall, the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara is enshrined, and the Buddha statue is exquisitely sculpted. Bell towers and drum towers are symmetrically built on the left and right. The halls are majestic, spacious, with high upturned eaves, grand brackets, painted beams and carved rafters, magnificent and imposing. Among ancient wooden structures, it can be regarded as delicate and rare.
The horizontal plaque “Jie Xiang Pu Xun” in the main hall is the calligraphy of Master Hongyi, which is truly precious.
Chongfu Temple has “Three Treasures”. One is the “Yinggeng Pagoda” built in the Jin Dynasty. It is seven stories and four zhang high, with relief carvings on it. Although it is slightly inclined, it has not collapsed for a long time. According to legend, this pagoda has the spirituality of “tilting in response to good fortune”. Whichever direction it tilts, it can bring a good harvest of grains and prosperity of livestock in that area.
The second is a huge tripod, six chi high and five chi in diameter, commonly known as the “Thousand-Person Tripod”. The third is the huge bell hanging in the bell tower. This bell was cast in 1387 (the 20th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty) with more than 1,600 catties of pure copper. The bell is eight chi high, and the Shurangama Mantra is cast all over it.
Opening hours: Open from 8:00 – 19:30 throughout the year
