Heard the one about the five immortals riding into Guangzhou on colorful rams? That’s the story behind this very Temple of the Five Immortals.
Welcome to the Temple of the Five Immortals. It is a former Taoist temple steeped in local legend. This temple honors the five immortals who, according to legend, arrived in Guangzhou riding rams. These weren’t just any rams. They were five colored sheep bearing the five grains. This tale explains Guangzhou’s nickname City of the Rams.
Let’s step back in time. The legend says that these immortals introduced rice farming to Guangzhou. This happened around 214 BC. That’s when the Qin army under Zhao Tuo founded the city. The immortals’ clothes matched their rams in different colors. These colors connected them to the Five Chinese Elements. People worshipped the immortals as protectors of the yearly harvest. When the five goats left, they turned to stone. These statues gave Guangzhou the nicknames Goat City and City of the Five Rams.
An abbey and shrine existed here by the early Song Dynasty around the 11th century. Rulers made sacrifices and locals offered prayers at the Temple of the Five Immortals. The present temple was built under the Ming Dynasty around 1377. During the Qing Dynasty, it was known as the Grotto of the Five Immortals.
Imagine the temple’s giant bell. It is three meters high and weighs five tons. It was installed in 1378. Shortly after, a plague hit the city. People considered the bell unlucky. It became the Forbidden Bell, never rung again. In the 19th century, women venerated the guardian lions at the entrance. They hoped to give birth to sons.
The original Temple of the Five Immortals burnt down in 1368. It was rebuilt in 1377. Its main hall was devoted to the five immortals. By 1923, the temple grounds covered a large area. Sun Yat-sen ordered local temples to be auctioned to raise money for war. A local club bought the Temple of the Five Immortals. They removed the Taoist clergymen. The city government protected the site. It eventually became a school. After China opened up in the 1980s, the temple was renovated. It no longer operates as a Taoist temple.
Notice the Ming-style architecture. The huge bell tower dates to the Ming Dynasty. The main hall retains its Ming-era design. The guardian lions at the entrance are centuries old. The stylized Ming sculptures stand in the back.
To the east of the hall, a pond contains a large foot-shaped depression. It is in red sandstone. Legend says this is the footprint of one of the immortals. The current statues show the immortals as three men and two women. They all ride goats.
Inside, you can find a large 1907 map of Guangzhou. It shows details of the imperial city. It reveals that most of the city was rural at that time. The Temple of the Five Immortals is a testament to Guangzhou’s rich history. It is a blend of legend and cultural heritage. The temple stands as a reminder of the five immortals and their gift of rice. It also reminds us about the rams that shaped the city’s identity. As you leave, remember the story of the immortals. Think about their lasting impact on Guangzhou.