Mount Qingyuan, Quanzhou – Millennium Old Laozi Sculpture

The Laojun Statue is a nationally protected cultural relic and a unique artistic treasure in Chinese Taoist stone carvings. According to historical records from the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong period, the statue is described as a naturally formed giant rock resembling an old man, skillfully carved by local artisans into the likeness of Laozi, the founder of Taoism during the Spring and Autumn Period. Originally housed within a grand Taoist temple complex featuring structures like the Zhenjun Hall and Beidou Hall, the statue later stood exposed after the temple was destroyed by fire. The statue measures 5.63 meters in height, 6.85 meters in thickness, 8.01 meters in width, covering an area of 55 square meters, making it China’s largest existing Taoist stone carving, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and ancient origins.

Located on a rocky slope above the Qingyuan Tianhu (Heavenly Lake), Huru Spring (Tiger Milk Spring) is named for its association with the mountain’s numerous springs. Adjacent to Huru Spring is the “孔泉” stone inscription. The spring flows from a crevice between upper and lower stones, filling a square stone hole. Inscriptions by Lü Dao-ren titled “虎乳” and by Song Dynasty scholar Zhu Xi describing “源头活水 (Source of Living Water)” adorn the site. Huru Spring flows year-round, and visitors can hear the sound of flowing water echoing from beneath the rocks, adding to its mystical allure.

Maitreya Rock, constructed in the 24th year of Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty (1364 AD), is an architectural marvel and a testament to Yuan Dynasty Buddhist stone carving art. Inside the rock-cut chamber stands a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha, carved directly into the natural cliff face. The statue measures 5.77 meters in height and 2.5 meters in width, depicting Maitreya Buddha with a serene and benevolent expression, adorned with a coiled topknot and standing on a lotus pedestal. The architectural features of the chamber and the attire of the Buddha provide valuable insights into Yuan Dynasty architecture and Buddhist stone carving art south of the Yangtze River. Above the chamber, along the steep cliffs, are stone inscriptions of Buddhist scriptures handwritten by Ma Fushu, the Fujian Land Route Inspector during the Qing and Qianlong periods, earning the title of “First Buddha of Minhai.” Additionally, the cliffside stone inscription of the characters “拜观” by the renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher Huang Zhou adds to the grandeur of the site.

The Three Buddhas are seated side by side on inverted lotus pedestals, each approximately 2.5 meters tall with the central Buddha slightly taller than the flanking Buddhas. These statues, in Tibetan style, depict the central Buddha Shakyamuni, symbolizing the present world; the left Buddha as Bhaisajyaguru, representing the past world; and the right Buddha as Maitreya, symbolizing the future world. The statues are well-preserved, showcasing intricate details such as coiled hair, shoulder-baring robes, and clearly defined sculptural lines despite the passage of time. According to records in the “Yuan Dynasty Painting and Sculpture Record,” these Three Buddhas were prominently worshipped in Tibetan-style temples in the Yuan Dynasty capital city, reflecting their significance as primary deities of the era’s Tibetan Buddhism. These stone carvings, dated back to 1292 AD, are considered the earliest, best-preserved, and southeastern-most examples of Tibetan-style Three Buddhas discovered in China, with a history spanning over seven centuries.

Qingyuan Cave, located at the peak of Mount Qingyuan, is the first among thirty-six caves and has been revered as a sacred site since the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). It featured architectural marvels such as the Guankong Tower, Buddha Hall, and the Pei Xian Shrine. Legend has it that during the Southern Song Dynasty, a Taoist named Pei chased a giant python, notorious for harming local inhabitants, into this cave. Pei sealed the entrance with stones and eventually transcended into immortality at the cave’s mouth, preventing the python from causing further harm. Hence, the cave earned the name “Pei Immotal Cave.” The cave’s original “Qianfeng Purple Pavilion” has since vanished, leaving behind historical stone inscriptions like “蜕岩 (Shedding Rock)” and “羽化登仙 (Transformation into Immortals),” which testify to its storied past.

In 1952, the Hongyi Master’s Stupa was erected on the western side of Maitreya Rock within the scenic area of Mount Qingyuan. This stupa enshrines the relics of Master Hongyi and is constructed from the renowned Quanzhou white granite, meticulously carved to emulate the wooden structures typical of southern Fujian architecture. Inside the stupa, a spider-web-like vaulted ceiling enhances the spatial effect, while the front wall displays the “Portrait of Master Hongyi,” a poignant ink painting by Mr. Feng Zikai. Master Yongyi was revered for his profound knowledge in art, calligraphy, music, and Buddhist philosophy, earning him a place alongside Taixu and Yinguang as one of the three eminent monks of modern times. His artistic legacy is celebrated with numerous calligraphic masterpieces in Quanzhou, and the inscription “悲欣交集 (Intermingling Joy and Sorrow)” before the stupa represents his final testament.

In 1993, the municipal government decided to construct the Qingyuan Heavenly Lake reservoir project in the scenic area of Shanhai Daguan within Mount Qingyuan’s Zize Dongtian Valley, below the Tiger Milk Spring. The reservoir’s dam, situated at an altitude of 368 meters, features a double-curved stone arch structure with a height of 30 meters, a top length of 140 meters, and a width of 2.8 meters. It has a total capacity of 115,000 cubic meters and covers a maximum water surface area of 12,000 square meters. Construction began in October 1994 and was completed with the reservoir filled by June 1996.

Visitors to Qingyuan Tianhu can enjoy local farmhouse cuisine by the lake, which offers affordable and delicious options. As dusk falls, locals often gather on the mountain for barbecues, a cherished community tradition.

Shaolin Temple, Quanzhou

Quanzhou Maritime Museum