Wulei Lecture Temple

Wulei Temple is located at the southern foot of Xiangwang Peak in Wulei Mountain, Guanhaiwei Town, Cixi City. According to historical records such as the ‘Cixi County Annals’ during the Guangxu period, the embryonic form of Wulei Temple emerged in the 3rd century AD.

Wulei Temple boasts numerous historical sites and scenic spots. In front of the temple gate, there is a pond named ‘Zheming Pool’, where clear water gushes out from the elephant’s eye tomb in the east and flows into the Zheming Pool, then through a small canal to the Moon Lake, never drying up throughout the year. It is said that this was also created by the Indian monk Naroyan leading his disciples to dig day and night, during which they fought with demons in the mountains, resulting in many casualties, hence it is also called the ‘Ten Thousand Workers Pool’, and the water in the pool is clear, sweet, and refreshing.

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Next to the pool, there are five red pines, which serve as the incense wood of Wulei Temple, planted by later generations. On the hillside not far from the temple, there are several towering ancient trees, some of which are so old that it is difficult to estimate their age and require several people to embrace them. Inside the temple, there are mostly camphor trees with lush branches and evergreen leaves all year round, which complement the golden architecture of Wulei Temple.

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By the first year of the Wende period of Emperor Xizong of Tang (AD 888), the scale of Wulei Temple had greatly expanded. Various pagodas and pavilions are exquisitely beautiful, and the temples and pavilions are filled with a pleasant atmosphere, which can be described as ‘ancient temple towers and terraces are high for summer avoidance, and pine and cypress are cold during the day in clear weather’. It is said that 2000 years ago, the Indian monk Naroyan visited famous mountains and scenic spots in China, crossed mountains and rivers, and chose this place on Wulei Mountain. He built a hut on Wulei Mountain to preach and lit a bonfire to attract followers. When the raging fire soared into the sky, it was also the beginning of Sino-Indian cultural exchange. However, although the sacred fire was fierce, there were few followers; mountains were separated, and kindred spirits were hard to find. It is said that one day, Sun Quan’s mother passed by in a boat and noticed the faint bonfire, so she ordered people to investigate and found out the reason. Therefore, she specially built a small temple where the sacred fire rose, which is probably the predecessor of Wulei Temple. With this small temple, Naroyan ended his life of living in the wind and sleeping on stones for many years.

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The opening hours of the entire text are subject to the actual opening status on the day.

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