Erfo Temple – A Cultural and Historical Gem in Chongqing

Erfo Temple is nestled approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Hechuan City, in the historically an[...]

Erfo Temple is nestled approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Hechuan City, in the historically and culturally renowned town of Laitan, recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural town in Sichuan. It is situated adjacent to the picturesque Shuanglong Lake and is designated as a Chongqing municipal scenic area, as well as one of the ten minor scenes of the Ba-Yu region in Chongqing.
The temple is divided into an upper and lower hall. The upper hall is located atop the Jiufeng Mountain summit, featuring a vast and majestic temple complex composed of the main mountain gate, the Jade Emperor Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the accompanying halls and row houses, all arranged in the traditional seven-hall layout of Buddhist monasteries, forming a closed quadrangle. The entire architecture emphasizes both the overall symmetry and the individuality of the buildings, with a unique charm and an area of 5181 square meters.

The lower hall is a two-story building constructed along the mountain, with eaves and arches that give the impression of movement. The exquisitely carved cliff sculptures are a rare gathering of Buddhist Zen statues in China.

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The temple’s affiliated cultural relics are also abundant, including a Ming Dynasty stone archway, Qing Dynasty Huili Pagoda Forest, a theater building, Ming and Qing Dynasty tomb clusters, and ancient city walls. Notably, the ancient city walls are well-preserved ancient defense facilities in the Eastern Sichuan region, with gates on all four sides and a continuous eave ridge structure on top, resembling a stone jar, embodying the concept of ‘catching turtles in a jar,’ a typical military defense castle. Inside the city, there are pleasant stone-paved alleys and traditional Tian-style residential courtyards, exuding a simple and elegant atmosphere.

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The cultural relics centered around the Laitan cliff sculptures have transcended the value of individual artifacts, thus possessing a higher cultural and artistic value. The site is open all year round from 08:30 to 17:30; preferential policies for medical staff: doctors, nurses, and medical technicians nationwide (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) holding medical-related documents can enjoy free admission to the main gate from the opening of the park until December 31, 2020, with relevant evidence. Additional information: The above details are for reference only; please refer to the information disclosed on the day for specifics.

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