Five ancient temples stand within the Dragon Spring Monastery. This is the Longquan Temple. It’s the fifth of the Eight Great Sites in the West Hills. Longquan Temple holds a special place in Beijing’s history.
The temple’s origins date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Two temples once stood here. One was the Bright Cloud Nunnery the other the Dragon King Hall. They merged sometime during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. The Dragon Spring Monastery’s northern section contains a series of halls. These are arranged east to west. They include the Wenchang Hall the Great Hero Hall the Sleeping Dragon Hall and the Patriarch Hall.
The three pagodas of the Five Great Sites are distinctive. They are both octagonal and hollow. Their unique arrangement is known as “Three Pagodas Reflecting the Moon”. A stone inscription on the temple gate reads “Longquan Temple”. A stone basin sits just outside. It’s surrounded by neatly arranged stones. Water flows constantly into the basin. This water comes from a crack in the rock below the Dragon King Hall. It trickles out like a constant gentle stream. This water is the famous “Dragon Spring”.
One wall is adorned with calligraphy from the Song dynasty poem The Song of Sweet Water. It’s a beautiful piece. The poem speaks to the enduring beauty of the Dragon Spring. It evokes the serene landscape. The temple stands as a testament to resilience. It has survived centuries of change. The water continues to flow. The Dragon Spring Temple remains a tranquil oasis. A place where people can find peace and reflection.
Longquan Temple at the Five Great Sites is more than a building. It’s a living piece of Beijing’s heritage. It’s a place of spiritual significance. It speaks to the enduring power of nature and the human spirit. It has stood for centuries. It will continue to stand for many more centuries to come. May the Dragon Spring flow forever.