Jinguang Temple in Yongping County, Dali

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Jinguang Temple (金光寺) is a renowned ancient Buddhist temple in western Yunnan, located in the southwestern mountain region of Mulianhua Mountain (木莲花山) within Yongping County (永平县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is situated approximately 50 kilometers from the county seat and is designated as a national AAA-level scenic area. Nestled amid lush greenery, the temple is surrounded by towering ancient trees, verdant pine forests, blooming magnolias, rare flowers, and exotic herbs, all contributing to its serene and fragrant atmosphere.

Jinguang Temple (金光寺) is not only a famous Buddhist sanctuary and tourist destination in western Yunnan, but it is also recognized as a prefectural and county-level nature reserve.

Above the temple’s main gate hangs a plaque inscribed with the characters “Famous Scenic Site of Western Yunnan” (滇西名胜), written by Mr. Li Genyuan (李根源), a renowned cultural figure from Tengchong County (腾冲县). Inside the temple, the courtyard is well-kept, ancient trees flourish, rare grasses glow green, and flowers exude fragrance. The Mahavira Hall is magnificently gilded, both grand and elegant, supported by imposing ancient wooden columns. Intricate openwork doors with floral carvings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties remain, reflecting exquisite craftsmanship.

The famous geographer Xu Xiake (徐霞客) wrote in his Yunnan Travel Diaries that Jinguang Temple (金光寺) featured “a grand and spacious layout, a south-facing main hall with layered octagonal eaves, over ten zhang tall, and occupying several mu of land.” Inside, the temple houses a multitude of vivid statues and is often filled with incense smoke, attracting streams of visitors and worshippers from near and far.

Location

Jinguang Temple (金光寺) lies in the southwest of Yongping County (永平县), about 40 kilometers from the county seat. It is set amidst the ever-green Baotai Mountain (宝台山), resembling a baby cradled in a mother’s arms, or a gemstone gleaming among rolling mountains.

Cultural Figures

Above the main gate of the temple hangs a plaque with the four characters “Famous Scenic Site of Western Yunnan” (滇西名胜), personally inscribed by Li Genyuan (李根源), a celebrated cultural figure from Tengchong County (腾冲县). Inside, the temple is clean and tranquil, with ancient trees, exotic green plants, and fragrant flowers. The Mahavira Hall dazzles in gold and is both majestic and elegant. The thick, towering wooden columns command reverence. Some delicately carved openwork doors from the Ming and Qing periods still remain. The temple is always busy with worshippers and tourists alike.

Temple History

Jinguang Temple (金光寺) has a long and storied history. According to The Sayings of Master Lichan (《力禅和尚语录》), a monk named Fanshan, while traveling through Huguang, met a monk from Baotai Mountain (宝台山) named Pochu, who told him:

“The treasures of Baotai Mountain are not easily recognized by the common man. In spring, lotus blooms from the trees; in summer, bamboo releases jade-like shoots. In autumn and winter, osmanthus, plum blossoms, and spotted bamboo fill the air with fragrance. Even if one loses clothing on the road, local villagers do not pick it up. The area spans ten yojanas in quiet solitude. At midnight, one can hear the constant sound of bells and drums, the crowing of roosters at yin hours, and the barking of dogs when sunlight filters through the clouds. Vines wash green between the mountains. It is rarely visited by anyone today.”

Moved by this account, Fanshan joyfully came to this mountain and built Jinguang Temple (金光寺), completing it in the Wuxu year of the Chongzhen reign (1628 CE).

Historical Records

Following its construction, Jinguang Temple (金光寺) flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. According to the Gazetteer of Yongchang Prefecture (《永昌府志》), it was once referred to as “The Ancient Maitreya Site of the Lotus in Great Qing.” In May of the 12th year of Chongzhen (1639 CE), Xu Xiake (徐霞客) visited the temple. In his Yunnan Travel Diaries (《滇游日记》), he wrote:

“Upon arriving in the province, I heard of the fame of this mountain… A monk named Yiwei traveled from the capital to visit here… The layout is grand and spacious; the main hall faces south with octagonal tiered eaves, over ten zhang tall, occupying several mu of land.”

Inside the temple stands the Stele of Virtues of Master Yuhan, 38th Generation under Linji Lineage at Baotai (《宝台法主临济下第三十八世玉汉和尚功行记碑》), authored by Wang Huai, disciple of Yeyu Chongsheng and Ruisong Temple; and inscribed by Zhengwu, disciple of the transmission lineage of Jizu Mountain. Monks from Gantong Temple (感通寺), Chongsheng Temple (崇圣寺), and Jizu Mountain (鸡足山) jointly erected the stele.

It is said that before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, pilgrims from Tengchong (腾冲), Baoshan (保山), Changning (昌宁), and elsewhere—elderly couples, parents with children, relatives, and friends—traveled long distances on horseback or on foot, crossing mountains to reach Jinguang Temple (金光寺). They would typically stay for about 10 days to fully enjoy their pilgrimage and sightseeing.

Reflection and Future Outlook

Looking back at history and forward to the future, Jinguang Temple (金光寺) is not only a renowned Buddhist sanctuary in Yongping (永平) and western Yunnan (滇西), but also a famous scenic site and a shining highlight in Yunnan’s tourism. Like a brilliant gem, Jinguang Temple (金光寺) glows not only in the light of history and culture but will also shine brighter in the future.