Yanquan Temple in Yiliang County, Kunming
Overview
Located in Jinxing Village (金星村) of Yiliang County (宜良县), Kunming (昆明), Yanquan Temple is situated at the foot of a mountain that resembles a reclining lion, known as Fushishan (伏狮山). The mountain features five towering peaks with sheer cliffs. Beneath the cliffs, a clear spring flows ceaselessly, providing high-quality water in abundant quantities. The beautiful mountain scenery, lush bamboo forests, and serene environment contribute to its charm, leading to its alternative name, Yanquan Mountain (岩泉山). As the saying goes, “Since ancient times, famous mountains have been home to many monks.”
In the early years of the Yuan Dynasty (元至正, approximately 1341), the renowned monk Master Panlong (盘龙祖师) arrived, built a thatched hut, and promoted Buddhism. After fulfilling his mission, his disciples constructed a temple to honor him, and this tradition has continued through generations.
Basic Information
- Chinese Name: 岩泉寺
- Location: Jinxing Village, Yiliang County
- Significance: One of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yiliang (宜良八景)
- Established: 1450-1456
Historical Origins
During the Ming Dynasty (明), specifically in the Jingtai period (景泰, 1450-1456), a local named Zhu Fuhai (朱福海) began the construction of the temple. Later, during the Wanli period (万历), the monk Xingkuan (兴宽) undertook significant renovations. The temple became known as “Yanquan Shuyu” (岩泉漱玉), one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yiliang. In 1687, the county magistrate Gao Shilang (高士朗) and educator Wang Zuocai (王佐才) invited local literati to invest in building pavilions and ponds, enhancing the site’s natural and cultural beauty.
However, during the Xianfeng and Tongzhi periods (咸同兵燹), the temple suffered damage. In 1915, County Magistrate Qian Liangjun (钱良骏) repaired the pavilions, naming one “Banshan Pavilion” (半山亭). By 1929, local gentry Ma Yunxiang (马云翔) raised funds to repair the Doumu Pavilion (斗母阁) and Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁), constructing a new pavilion and extensively planting flowers and trees, along with creating large-scale rock carvings. The temple experienced a peak in prosperity during this time. However, in 1940, Kunming was bombed by Japanese planes, leading to the temporary relocation of a military hospital and subsequent damage to the site.
Cultural Heritage Protection
In July 1987, the rock carvings were designated as a key cultural relic under protection by Yiliang County. In February 1993, the county government approved the transfer of ownership of Yanquan Temple to the Jinxing Office (金星办事处). In recent years, the office has carried out extensive renovations, constructing new buildings such as the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), Tianwang Hall (天王殿), Yuhuang Pavilion, Caishen Hall (财神殿), mountain gates, and a swimming pool, as well as planting trees and grass and improving pathways. This revitalization has transformed Yanquan into a site more beautiful than ever. In April 1999, the Kunming Expo Bureau and Yunnan Provincial Tourism Bureau designated Yanquan Temple as an official tourist reception unit for the Expo.
In 2000, the temple management committee erected three commemorative stone tablets: “Professor Qian Mu’s Writing Place” (钱穆教授著书处), “Yuan Jiagu’s Tea Tasting Place” (袁嘉谷品茗处), and “Cangzhen Pavilion Ruins” (藏真阁遗址), documenting three significant modern historical events related to Yanquan Temple and greatly enhancing its cultural standing.
Current Status of the Temple
Since around the mid-1990s, with the development of tourism, temples in scenic areas like Yanquan Temple have become increasingly popular. Private entities pay fees to the temple authorities to operate the temple commercially, employing monks to attract donations and incense money for profit. This practice, which has been explicitly prohibited by the state, has grown under profit motives, leading to rising operating fees and the hiring of non-religious personnel who profit through deception and extortion.
According to the “2004-2005 Yunnan Religious Situation Report,” Yanquan Temple has long ceased to function as a traditional religious institution. Instead, it has transformed into a comprehensive local cultural industry entity aimed at commercial operation, blurring the lines between religion and politics. In 2004, the Jinxing Street Office contracted the temple to a private owner for over 2.2 million yuan annually until 2009. A former contractor of nearby temples revealed that incense prices reached as high as 130 yuan for premium offerings, with ordinary incense ranging from 10 to 60 yuan.
In addition to incense offerings, the temple sells jade and other handicrafts, with 30% of the revenue returned to travel agencies. Similar to Yanquan Temple, the contractor even hired several fake masters from the Emei Mountain (峨眉山) area to perform fortune-telling for tourists, earning a commission of 10% for each master, totaling thousands of yuan monthly. The contractor admitted that temple income relies heavily on these “masters,” but asserted that they adhere to “professional ethics” and do not exaggerate their claims, avoiding distasteful remarks.
In 2009, Kunming’s total tourism revenue reached 22.634 billion yuan, with total tourist numbers hitting 31.15 million, leading to a surge in the temple’s rental fees. It was reported that the fees paid to the Jinxing Village Committee had risen to nearly 4 million yuan annually.
Related Anecdotes
Professor Qian Mu’s Writing Place
The inscription “Professor Qian Mu’s Writing Place” honors Qian Mu (钱穆, 1895-1990), a prominent scholar from Wuxi, Jiangsu (江苏无锡). He began his self-study path in 1913 and later engaged in middle school education. He completed significant works such as “An Introduction to National Studies” (国学概论) and “Chronology of Pre-Qin Philosophers” (先秦诸子系年).
In 1930, his “Chronicle of Liu Xiang and His Son” (刘向歆父子年谱) made waves in academic circles. After being recommended by Gu Jiegang (顾颉刚), he became a lecturer in Chinese literature at Yanjing University (燕京大学) and later a professor at Peking University (北京大学). During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he moved with his institution, and when the Southwest Associated University (西南联大) was established in Mengzi (蒙自), he was persuaded by Chen Mengjia (陈梦家) to revise the “Outline of National History” (国史大纲). Shortly thereafter, the university relocated to Kunming. To avoid disturbance, he resided in Yanquan Temple, completing the “Outline of National History” by the autumn of 1939, shortly after which it was published.
The book became a widely adopted textbook in universities across the country, significantly promoting national consciousness and unity among students. Scholars have described the “Outline of National History” as a monumental work in modern Chinese historiography. Qian Mu’s writing was characterized by profound insights, merging poetry and history, and influencing generations of students and scholars alike.
Cangzhen Pavilion Ruins
The “Cangzhen Pavilion Ruins” inscription commemorates the construction of Cangzhen Pavilion (藏真阁) on the south side of Longquan (龙泉) during the early Qing Dynasty (清). It was dedicated to the highly esteemed Taoist Master Yin Cheqing (尹澈清真人). The pavilion housed several stone tablets, preserving the legacy of the master.
In 1939, when Qian Weichang (钱伟长) was preparing to travel abroad with his newlywed wife, Kong Xiangying (孔祥瑛), they visited Yanquan Temple to see his uncle Qian Mu. They spent their honeymoon in the pavilion, further enriching its historical significance.
Inscriptions in the Temple
On June 23, 1994, Qian Weichang returned to the temple with his wife and inscribed: “岩坚泉清，宜结良缘” (“The rock is firm, and the spring is clear; it is suitable to form a good relationship.”)
Attractions and Names Mentioned in the Content:
- Yanquan Temple (岩泉寺)
- Fushishan (伏狮山)
- Master Panlong (盘龙祖师)
- Zhu Fuhai (朱福海)
- Master Xingkuan (兴宽)
- Gao Shilang (高士朗)
- Wang Zuocai (王佐才)
- Ma Yunxiang (马云翔)
- Qian Liangjun (钱良骏)
- Yanjing University (燕京大学)
- Peking University (北京大学)
- Gu Jiegang (顾颉刚)
- Qian Mu (钱穆)
- Qian Weichang (钱伟长)
- Kong Xiangying (孔祥瑛)
Location Details
- Jinxing Village, Yiliang County, Kunming (昆明宜良县金星村)
Location:
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