Nanyue Temple Complex is located at the foot of Mount Heng in Nanyue District (formerly Nanyue Town), Hengyang City. It […]
Nanyue Temple Complex is located at the foot of Mount Heng in Nanyue District (formerly Nanyue Town), Hengyang City. It was originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty and has been renovated multiple times throughout history. The existing structures date back to the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu period, specifically the eighth year (1882). The main hall of the temple is dedicated to the deity of Mount Heng, the Fire God Zhurong, who is believed to be an official in charge of fire under the Yellow Emperor, overseeing affairs of the south.
It is said that the Fire God resides in Mount Heng and was buried there after his death. Since the fourth year of the Dazhong Xiangxiang era during the Song Dynasty (1011), the Fire God Zhurong has been honored as the ‘Emperor of the Southern Peak,’ and the architectural style of Nanyue Temple Complex has been elevated to imperial standards.
Nanyue Temple Complex is also one of the largest ancient architectural groups in southern China. In addition to the main buildings on the central axis, there are eight Taoist temples and eight Buddhist temples on the east and west sides of the temple, respectively, reflecting the Taoist concept of ‘Purple Qi Coming from the East’ and the Buddhist notion of ‘Ultimate Bliss.’ The coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism within the same temple is quite rare. Each temple and Taoist temple is relatively small in scale, and the main focus of visiting Nanyue Temple Complex is the main buildings on the central axis.
Standing in front of the ‘Great Temple,’ you will see the main gate called ‘Lingxing Gate,’ named after ‘Lingxing,’ which signifies the emergence of talented individuals. Only a few places, including the Confucius Temple and here, are named with ‘Lingxing’ for their gates. Behind the Lingxing Gate is the ‘Kui Xing Pavilion,’ where ‘Kui Xing’ in Taoism is believed to control the fate of scholars. Nowadays, many parents bring their children here to pray for academic success.
Following the central axis, you arrive at the second courtyard, where the east side is the ‘Wen Chang Hall,’ connecting to the eight Taoist temples on the east side; the west side is the ‘Six Temples Gate,’ connecting to the eight Buddhist temples on the west side. In this courtyard, you can also see a stone stele inscribed with the ‘Record of the Renovation of Nanyue Temple’ written by Emperor Kangxi.
The core building of Nanyue Temple Complex is the main hall on the central axis, where the ‘Fire God Zhurong,’ also known as the ‘Emperor’s Hall,’ is enshrined. There is a square in front of the hall, used for performing rituals and paying respects with incense. It is said that the ‘Emperor of the Southern Peak’ (Fire God Zhurong) has always been responsive to prayers, making this place very popular for worship. Especially during the seventh, eighth, and ninth months of the lunar calendar and on religious holidays, many believers come here to burn incense and pray, and monks and Taoist priests also come to preach, making the area in front of the main hall very lively.
In addition, while visiting the temple, you can also see various deities enshrined in each hall, such as the Martial God of Wealth, Zhao Gongming, in the Wealth Hall, and the Manjusri Bodhisattva in the Wen Zhu Hall. If interested, you can pay your respects to each one.
Opening hours are from 07:00 to 17:30 from May 1st to October 31st, and from 08:00 to 17:30 from November 1st to April 30th. On National Day, the temple is open from 06:30 to 18:00.
Concessions: Children under 6 years old (inclusive) enter for free with ID or household registration book; minors aged 6 to 18 (inclusive) receive discounts with ID. Elders aged 65 and above enter for free with ID; those aged 60 to 65 (exclusive) receive discounts with ID. Full-time undergraduate and below students (excluding adult education, self-study, short-term training institution students, etc.
) receive discounts with valid documents (student ID and ID card). Active-duty soldiers, disabled soldiers, martyr’s dependents, dependents of soldiers who died in the line of duty, dependents of deceased soldiers, and retired military personnel enter for free with valid documents. Disabled individuals enter for free with ID and valid disability certificate. Fire rescue personnel enter for free with valid documents.
Tour guides enter for free with valid documents and tour procedures. Journalists enter for free with valid documents (press cards issued by the National Press and Publication Administration and ID card). Buddhist and Taoist clergy enter for free with valid documents after verification. Nanyue residents enter for free with ID. Others: Those who need to enter the scenic area for work purposes, such as local or stationed units’ staff and military personnel, should show valid documents and enter for free after verification; others who qualify for free tickets according to the regulations of the People’s Government of Nanyue District should enter for free with ID.
Additional note: The above information is for reference only; please check the daily announcements at the scenic area for actual details.
Parking Facilities: Nanyue Temple Parking Lot. Reference price: ¥10 per hour. Location: near Nanyue Temple. Spaces: 100.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available within the scenic area, with clear signs posted at the entrance and other locations.
