Guisheng Temple in Kaiyuan City, Honghe

Guisheng Temple (归圣寺) is located on Lion Mountain (狮子山), Xiaolongtan Township (小龙潭乡), Kaiyuan City (开远市), Yunnan Province. It is the only surviving ancient temple complex in the area, originally built during the Qing Dynasty. The existing main structures include the Front Hall, the Main Hall, and side wings. Its name derives from the idea of “ancestors admiring the scenery and constructing halls.”

The temple underwent two major renovations in the 6th year of Emperor Kangxi (1667) and the 16th year of Emperor Qianlong (1751). Inside, cultural relics from the Qing Dynasty are preserved, including the Stele of Poems by Yin Zhuangtu (尹壮图). It was designated as a protected cultural relic unit of Kaiyuan City in 1983, fully restored in 2005, and later listed as a prefecture-level protected site in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州) during the 2010s. As the core part of the Lion Cloud Mountain (狮云山) temple complex, the surrounding area also preserves religious relics such as Jiuxian Pavilion (酒仙阁) and continues traditional practices like Dongjing music performances.

• Location: West Lion Mountain (西狮子山), Xiaolongtan Township (小龙潭乡), Kaiyuan City (开远市), Yunnan Province
• Construction Period: Qing Dynasty
• Area: 1,106 square meters
• Main Remains: Front Hall, Main Hall, side wings
• Protection Level: Prefecture-level protected cultural relic unit
• Steles Preserved: Four Qing Dynasty stone steles

Historical Development

The existing Stele of Guisheng Temple Restoration Record (重修归圣寺碑记) states that the temple was originally built because “ancestors admired the scenery and constructed halls.” It was significantly renovated in 1667 (Kangxi era) and 1751 (Qianlong era). In 2005, the Xiaolongtan Office allocated over 130,000 yuan for protective restoration, including building a surrounding wall to enhance heritage protection. In the 2010s, it was included in the eighth batch of prefecture-level protected cultural relics of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

Architectural Features

The temple complex follows the mountain terrain in its layout. The surviving structures include the Front Hall, Main Hall, and side wings, arranged in a traditional axial-symmetry style.

• The Main Hall is a timber-frame structure with a raised-beam design, covered with gray tiles, and still preserves traces of Qing Dynasty paintings under the eaves.
• Remains of side chambers indicate that there were once plans for expansion.
• Surrounding relics include Jiuxian Pavilion (酒仙阁) and stilted houses.

Cultural Relics

The temple houses four Qing Dynasty stone steles:

• Stele of Lion Cloud Mountain Monastery Record (狮云山常住碑记) – recording the temple’s land and property management system.
• Stele of Donors for Guisheng Temple Restoration (重修归圣寺功德显名碑) – listing donations during the Qianlong renovation.
• Stele of Pilgrimage Association (朝山会员碑序) – reflecting Qing-era religious community activities.
• Stele of Poems by Yin Zhuangtu (尹壮图诗碑) – carved on bluestone (94 cm × 60 cm), inscribed with four seven-character regulated verses composed in 1797 (Jiaqing era) by Yin Zhuangtu, then Grand Secretary and Vice Minister of Rites.

Religious Activities

As the core of the Lion Cloud Mountain temple group, Guisheng Temple (归圣寺) has long been a center of Buddhism in southern Yunnan. Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, incense-offering and blessing ceremonies are held. Believers also participate in Dongjing music performances, using instruments such as large drums and cloud gongs, forming a unique “grand music” performance system.

Conservation Status

In 1983, Guisheng Temple (归圣寺) was designated a cultural relic protection unit by the Kaiyuan City Government. In 2005, restoration focused on roof leakage and decayed wooden structures, alongside the establishment of a daily maintenance system. After its elevation to prefecture-level protection in the 2010s, digital archives and regular structural monitoring were introduced. The temple’s ancient cypress trees are also included in the overall conservation plan.