Yuqian Temple, the oldest temple in Hubei

Hubei is not known for its temples, but Yuquan Temple is one of the most famous in the province. Yuquan Temple is located in Dangyang, Yichang. It is said that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, a monk named Pujing built a hut here, and the temple was renamed Yuquan Temple during the Sui Dynasty. The Mahavira Hall of Yuquan Temple is the largest ancient building in southern China. The existing Yuquan Iron Pagoda is currently under repair. It is of great value for the study of ancient Chinese metallurgy, metal corrosion prevention, construction methods, architectural mechanics, casting and carving art, and Buddhist history. Yuquan Temple is also one of the ancestral temples of the Tiantai sect of Buddhism. It is known as one of the "Four Wonders of the World" along with Guoqing Temple in Tiantai, Zhejiang, Lingyan Temple in Jinan, Shandong, and Qixia Temple in Nanjing, Jiangsu. Yuquan Temple and the Iron Pagoda are also national key cultural relics protection units. When you walk from the parking lot to the long tree-lined avenue in front of Yuquan Temple, it is as if you are walking through a time tunnel. At the end of the straight and tall metasequoia forest stands a huge aqueduct. After passing through the arched gate, you will arrive at the mountain gate hidden in the forest. The terrain inside the temple is undulating, with winding paths leading to secluded places. The decorative beams and painted styles of the building gates and eaves are full of artistic beauty. Visiting on a rainy day adds a sense of tranquility! ⛰[Travel Guide] 📍Detailed address: Yuquan Mountain Scenic Area, Dangyang, Yichang 🚗Transportation: Self-driving 🕙Opening hours: 8:30–17:00 💰Ticket price: Free 🌟Highlights: The scenery and environment outside the temple are also amazing. 📌Tips: It is recommended to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.