Jinyun Xiandu Temple, the legendary story of Zhao Bing, the "White Crane Emperor"
The ticket for Xiandu Scenic Area includes five main attractions: Dinghu Peak, Xiaochi Cliff, Niweng Cave, Xiandu Temple, and Zhutan Mountain. Compared with several other scenic spots, Xiandu Temple, which is separated from the north gate of Xiaochibi by a road, should be the most low-key one.
Xiandu Temple was formerly known as Zhaohou Temple. It is the oldest temple building with written records in Jinyun. It was built to commemorate Zhao Bing, a famous Taoist priest in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Zhao Bing, courtesy name Gong'a, was from Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, and was skilled in medicine. While traveling to Xiandu, Zhao Bing encountered war and plague, and saved countless people.
Later, Zhao Bing went east to Zhang'an (now Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang), and the local people regarded him as a god and followed him in large numbers. The magistrate of Zhang'an County accused him of spreading rumors and misleading the people, and had him killed.
The people were grateful for his kindness and built temples in many places to commemorate him. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Bing was canonized by the court as Renji Hou, Xianren Gong, Lingshun Wang, etc., and during the Southern Song Dynasty, he was canonized as Baihe Emperor. In the coastal areas of eastern Zhejiang and parts of Fujian, Zhao Bing is the earliest folk patron saint. In this area, all temples with the names of Baihe, Lingkang and Zhaohou are dedicated to Zhao Bing, and folk beliefs are extremely strong. Today's Xiandu Temple was rebuilt on the original site in the 1990s.
Xiandu Temple is very small, with only a few small houses and is surrounded by high mountains and cliffs. But don't underestimate it, it seems to have its own fairy air. Famous TV series and movies such as "The Taoist Goes Down the Mountain", "Flying Daggers Again" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" were all filmed here.
There are many caves and tunnels in Xiandu Temple, and the caves are cool and pleasant. In midsummer, nearby villagers would spread out mats and stay in the cave to chat, sleep, and play cards.
The stone wall behind the cave is carved with statues of eight great doctors in ancient times, including Bian Que, Chun Yuyi, Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo, Sun Simiao, Song Ci, Zhu Zhenheng, Li Shizhen, etc., highlighting the combination of Taoist culture and medicine.
📍Detailed address:
Xiandu Temple, Xiandu Scenic Area, Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province
[MapleLeaf] Ticket price: 90 yuan (including Dinghu Peak, Zhutan Mountain, Xiaochi Cliff, Xiandu Temple, Niweng Cave), scenic shuttle bus 20 yuan
🕙Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
⏳Time reference: 1 day for the entire scenic area, including half an hour for Xiandu Temple