Huacheng Temple

Huacheng Temple is the oldest and most venerated of Jiuhua Mountain's monastery complexes, traditionally regarded as the residence of the Tang dynasty monk Kim Gyo-gak, whose posthumous recognition as a manifestation of Dizang Bodhisattva established the mountain's sacred identity. The current buildings date to the Ming and Qing dynasties, but the site has been continuously occupied and worshipped for over twelve centuries.

The main hall contains an enormous gilded Dizang statue flanked by his attendants, and the incense smoke from continuous pilgrim offerings has darkened the ceiling beams to near-black. The side halls contain bronze bells, carved wooden tablets with sutras, and dedicatory plaques covering the walls. Unlike some of the mountain's more recently expanded temples, Huacheng has the genuine atmospheric density of a place that has accumulated centuries of devotion.

things to do sight
A story
Huacheng Temple is traditionally identified as the residence of Dizang Bodhisattva's earthly manifestation — the Korean monk Kim Gyo-gak, who is said to have arrived on the mountain in the early Tang dynasty after crossing the sea from the Silla kingdom. He lived here in extreme asceticism for decades before dying in 794 at a purported age of 99. His body was found to be incorrupt three years after death — the classical Buddhist sign of an enlightened being — and Jiuhuashan's identity as the mountain of Dizang dates from this event.

Other places in Things to Do