Shidongsi Village of Luodang Town in Fengqing County, Lincang

Chinese Name: 临沧市凤庆县洛党镇箐头村委会石洞寺村
English Name: Shidongsi Village of Luodang Town in Fengqing County, Lincang

Shidongsi Village is named after the Shidong Temple, which is acclaimed as one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Shunning.” The temple is built against a rock and features various structures, including a main hall, two wings, an arch bridge, a lotus pond, and twin pavilions, all surrounded by fragrant camellias. Additionally, there is an ancient camellia tree with a girth that can be embraced by more than one person, known as the “Pumen tea,” with the prestigious name of “Nine Pistils and Eighteen Petals,” which is as famous as the temple itself. The twin pavilions in front of the temple were constructed during the Daoguang and Xianfeng periods of the Qing Dynasty (approximately 1848–1853) on two massive stones, with the steps carved into the rock, winding upwards. The rock walls are inscribed with many past inscriptions, some bold and passionate, others ethereal and transcendent, revealing glimpses of the personalities of those who came before. The ancient rock walls bear witness to the passage of time, while the ephemeral splendor dissipates in the flow of years. Today, people do not see the moon of ancient times, yet the current moon once illuminated the ancients.

“In the deep mountains lies an ancient temple, where one listens to the sound of mantras among the clouds.”

Exploring the depths and climbing the mountains, one can walk amidst swirling mists and cool air. Ascending step by step, Shidong Temple is situated at the mountain’s summit, with the ancient temple offering tranquility and a strong mountain breeze, while the white clouds float gently by. The ancient temple stands silently, exuding an otherworldly atmosphere, where the turmoil and complexities of the earthly realm instantly vanish.

Travel Tips

Shidongsi Village is located 30 kilometers from Fengqing County, 16 kilometers from the town government seat, and 12 kilometers from Yunxian County. The rural roads are well-maintained and easily accessible.

Shidong Temple, perched on the mountain peak, enjoys a pleasant climate and showcases different beautiful scenery in all four seasons, making it suitable for exploration and sightseeing at any time.

Shidong Temple

Shidong Temple is situated 30 kilometers southeast of Fengqing County, in Qingtou Village, Luodang Yi Ethnic Township. It was built during the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods of the Qing Dynasty—specifically in 1794—and was renovated in 1926. The temple complex includes the main hall, two wings, an arch bridge, a lotus pond, and twin pavilions. The temple compound consists of five buildings with eleven rooms, including the main hall and side rooms, along with an ancient camellia tree that can be embraced by more than one person, known for its “Nine Pistils and Eighteen Petals,” which is equally renowned as the temple. The twin pavilions in front of the temple, built during the Daoguang and Xianfeng periods, stand on two massive stones connected by a stone bridge, with a steep terrain and beautiful scenery. The temple has been rated as a Class 2A scenic spot.

Upon arriving outside Shidong Temple, one encounters various uniquely shaped stones, said to form the “Stone Group of the Celestial Shepherd.” Legend has it that in ancient times, a celestial being wanted to move a large rock from the mountain to the Yingchun River below to create an artificial lake for irrigating the fields of Daxing and Yunzhou. He went to the Heavenly Palace to borrow a celestial whip from the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor, believing that the celestial being was doing good for the people, lent him the whip with some incantations but required that it be returned before dawn, or it would lose its power. The celestial being took the whip and, under the cover of night, went to move the stones. With a crack of the whip and a recitation of an incantation, the stones transformed into a flock of sheep, descending the mountain ridge. However, due to the large number of sheep and their mischievousness—fighting among themselves, searching for food, and straying—progress was slow and scattered. The celestial being, sweating profusely, called out to them. Just as he reached Shidong Temple, dawn was approaching, and the roosters began to crow for the first time. Hearing the rooster’s call, the sheep turned back into large stones and stood motionless outside the temple ever since.

As one weaves through these stones, the twin pavilions, Yunyan Twin Pavilions, can be seen perched atop the two giant stones in front of the temple. The Yunyan Twin Pavilions form a natural pair, also known as the Male and Female Pavilions or Husband and Wife Pavilions. The left pavilion is Yunyan Pavilion, and the right is Qingxu Pavilion. The two pavilions are connected by a sky bridge for ease of passage, built with donations from Sun Wei, a tribute student from Yunzhou, in 1850. The grand gate at the base of the twin pavilions has a couplet: “Cloud Mountains are elegant and serene, out of the mundane world; the rocks are clear and ethereal, entering a painted screen.” This couplet incorporates the names of both pavilions. On the wall of the giant rock, there are poems by the poet Su Fen: “Looking at Yunyan, many caves, two flying pavilions, breaking through the night sky; the temple is deeply hidden, winding paths, with a rainbow bridge, soaring high; the pond is clear, the green moss is vibrant, the bamboo is dark green, the pine is lush; the stone gate opens, celestial guests enter, floating, attending to the ancient Buddha.”

Upon entering the temple, another scene unfolds, with several ancient halls exhibiting a charming antique style. The large and ancient camellia tree in the courtyard is a precious variety known as the “Nine Pistils and Eighteen Petals” of Pumen camellia. In the world of camellias, there is a saying: “Yunnan camellias are the best in the world, and Pumen camellias are the best in Yunnan,” with Pumen being the ancient name for Fengqing. Legend has it that over two hundred years ago, a woman with the surname Mei from nearby Taohua Village came here to escape an arranged marriage and practiced Taoism in a stone cave. On the fifteenth day of the second lunar month one year, she suddenly heard the sounds of bells, chanting, and drums coming from behind the stone cave. Since then, every fifteenth day of the second lunar month at midnight, the same sounds can be heard. The woman with the surname Mei concluded that the Supreme Laozi was there—since the fifteenth day of the second lunar month is the birthday of the Taoist ancestor Laozi, Li Er. She then raised funds to build the main hall and became known as Daoist Mei. After the hall was completed, a local military officer learned of her dedication and wanted to marry her, but she declined. The officer then gifted her his precious camellia, which he had nurtured for decades, “Nine Pistils and Eighteen Petals,” and together they planted it in the temple courtyard. Today, this camellia still exhibits the majestic phrase: “Flowers bloom in the temple, filling the courtyard with brilliance; residual blood burns the sky red on one side.”