Fuqing Shizhu Mountain Scenic Area
Shizhu Mountain is a famous Taoist mountain in Fujian and one of the top ten scenic spots in Fujian Province. The scenic area is located on Shizhu Road, next to Dongzhang Reservoir in Fuqing City. It is named after its unique stones and beautiful bamboos, and is known as "more elegant than Gushan Mountain."
The parking lot is outside the mountain gate. You can take a sightseeing bus to the foot of the mountain, or walk there as it is not far.
You can climb the mountain from the main entrance, and walk along the mountain path to enjoy the original scenery of Shizhu Mountain.
Along the way, you will see strange rocks and lush bamboos. It is said that there are 108 scenic spots.
Visitors who are not physically fit can also choose to take the cable car, but it is said that the cable car is currently closed for renovation.
Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus to the mountainside, and then take the elevator and escalator up the mountain. However, the vertical elevator only goes up, so you will have to walk down the mountain.
Dongzhang Reservoir is also part of the scenic area. It is located at the entrance of the cable car and was built in 1958, covering an area of 15 square kilometers.
The dam is a reinforced concrete wide joint gravity dam, with a height of 38 meters, a top length of 210 meters, a normal water level of 54 meters, and four arc gates.
Shizhu Temple has a long history, and was first built in the first year of the Dazhong period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (847 AD). It was originally named "Lingbao Temple," but was later renamed Shizhu Temple because of the many strange stones and caves around it and the abundance of bamboos.
A major feature of Shizhu Temple is the long-term harmonious coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The buildings in the temple fully reflect the characteristics and styles of the three religions.
The temple has buildings of the three religions, including Sizhou Dasheng Hall, Wanshen Hall, Sanqing Hall, Bagua Square, Xianjun Building, Guanyin Hall, Garan Hall, Xianjun Building, Jade Emperor Palace, and Wenchang Pavilion.
The buildings of Shizhu Temple are built on the mountain, with green tiles and red walls, painted beams and carved beams. Although the scale is not large, it is very spectacular.
The peaks behind the temple are steep, surrounded by green bamboos, red walls, and green tiles, creating an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.
The temple also enshrines the Nine Immortals of the He family, which is a place for praying for dreams. It is said that praying for dreams is very effective, and every year it attracts a large number of believers and tourists to visit and worship.