Wuta Rock: The Charm and Beauty of Song Dynasty Stone Pagodas!

Among the many ancient sites in Quanzhou, Wuta Rock is undoubtedly a dazzling gem. Although it is not listed as a World Heritage site, its mystery and beauty are enough to captivate anyone. Wuta Rock is located on the northwest slope of Zimao Mountain, with convenient transportation. You can drive directly to the free parking lot at the temple gate. Although Zimao Mountain is not very high, its stone mountain roads are often steep. On this land, the ancient Wuta Rock temple stands quietly. The temple was first built during the Northern Song Dynasty, and by the Southern Song Dynasty, five stone pagodas stood in front of the temple, hence the name Wuta Rock. Each of these five stone pagodas is designed in the Song Dynasty stupa style, with a unique shape. They are about six meters high, with a square base and a three-story pagoda body. The first story is hexagonal, with inscriptions, while the second and third stories are drum-shaped, with relief sculptures of Buddha on the third story. The most striking feature is the gourd-shaped pagoda finial, which appears ancient and solemn. These five pagodas are arranged in a row, only two meters apart, creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. Although the five pagodas are generally similar, the Buddha statues in the niches of each pagoda are unique. Some Buddha statues sit cross-legged, with their hands in a mudra in front of their abdomen; some Buddha statues are solemn and dignified, with their earlobes hanging down to their shoulders, sitting cross-legged; and some Buddha statues sit with bent knees, each with a different posture, all exuding their own charm. In addition to these five stone pagodas, Wuta Rock Temple also cleverly utilizes two natural stone caves, building the "Longshui Zen Tower" and "Dingguang Dojo." From an aerial view, the entire temple looks like a pavilion in the sky, with a unique landscape. In 2013, Wuta Rock was listed as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units, which is enough to prove its historical and cultural value. Each visit is a dialogue with history, an encounter with culture. Wuta Rock awaits your arrival to explore its mystery and beauty together.