Photos of Chengtian Temple

Chengtian Temple is located on the east side of Nanjun Lane opposite Chengtian Lane in the center of Quanzhou, also known as Yuetai Temple. It's hard to imagine that such a vast temple is hidden behind an unremarkable temple gate on trendy Nanjun Road. Chengtian Temple was originally the Nanyuan Garden where the Jiedushi of the Five Dynasties stayed. In the fourth year of Jingde in the Northern Song Dynasty, it was named Chengtian Temple, and the existing temple was rebuilt in the 30th year of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1692). There are many ancient temples in Quanzhou, but Chengtian Temple is still one of the more famous, and its popularity is second only to Kaiyuan Temple. It has a quiet environment and is a rare and clean place in the busy city. The gate of the temple sits east to west, and the entrance is a platform, with a vertical plaque with the word "platform" hanging high. Entering the mountain gate, there is no worship pavilion, but a long and quiet road. On the south side of the long road, there are seven pagodas. The buildings on the central axis are Tianwang Hall, Maitreya Hall, Daxiong Hall, Fatang, and Wenshu Hall. There are two "release pools" in front of the Daxiong Palace, and there are many turtles in them. The overall architectural style of Chengtian Temple does not have too many gorgeous and complicated buildings in southern Fujian. The structure of the temple is scattered, but it is still spacious and bright, without any garish decoration. There are more than 200 plants such as banyan tree, willow tree, longan tree and white inner leaf tree in the temple, which are hidden among the temples and pavilions, and the shade is everywhere. Stroll in this clean environment, be a leisure person, and feel at ease. There are also some pigeons in the temple, and they are not afraid of people. This was also the place where Master Hongyi lectured and propagated the Dharma. On the pilasters of the mountain gate, Master Hongyi inscribed: "There is immeasurable freedom, and you can enter the unique Dharma gate." You can also find "the incarnation of Master Hongyi" in the temple. But what is more worth going is the hill behind the incarnation, sitting and reading, which makes people linger. You can also sit in a daze under the big banyan tree, listen to the subtle sound of chanting, smell the faint smell of incense, and let your impetuous heart settle. Undoubtedly, Chengtian Temple is a good place to take a rest.