Xinjiang: Guandi Temple in Deep Tianshan Mountain
Comprehensive news of World Guangong Culture Website: from Singing Sands Mountain of Kumul to the west, the vehicle crept slowly along the hillside road. On the top of the mountain, there is a Taoism temple “Tianshan Temple”.
According to textual research of Kumul Tourist Administration, there is only one temple built on the top of over 2000 kilometers long Tianshan mountain range within Xinjiang border, which is called as “the first temple of Tianshan”. When I first saw this temple, I did not feel special. However, this place is really a good place for gazing into the distance. The temple is located on the flat slope of the mountain top, with deep and serene valley and vast grassland at its back. The Singing Sands Mountain is continuous, and the mountain peak is surrounded by cloud and fog. According to the staffs’ introduction, the elevation here is 2700 meters. With high elevation and long history, this temple really deserves the title “the first temple”.
Why did people build temple on such mountain top?
Time-honored Temple of Han and Tang Dynasties
Tianshan Temple was firstly built in Han and Tang Dynasties. Guandi ikon symbolizing loyalty was consecrated in the temple. In long years, the temple has been destroyed by warfare. The grey tile and gray wall of the temple offers a sense of simplicity and steadiness. There is a copper censer in front of the temple, two stone lions on two sides of the arch and a plaque “Tianshan Temple” above the door. The couplet on two red columns writes: “red face showing absolute sincerity, riding red hare to chase horse, never forgetting his work as Handi’s general when moving about freely and quickly; reading annals of history under oil lamp, taking the moon falchion, never acting incorrectly even in the most secret space of his heart”, to praise Guangong’s loyalty spirit.
Tianshan Guandi Temple called as “the first temple of Tianshan”
The inner structure of the temple is similar with quadrangle courtyard. Tall, light and spacious main shrine faces the gate. Guangong ikon was consecrated in the main shrine. Side halls are on the two sides of the main shrine.
You can overlook Singing Sands Mountain and Barkol grasslands when standing in front of Tianshan Guandi Temple
The Kazak are selling dry cheese, ghee and Tianshan field mushroom under mountain
After warfare, three storeys of Tianshan Guandi Temple remained only dilapidated walls. The Kumul government invested capital to rebuild the temple in 2000 and has been carrying out renovation and expansion since 2008. Currently, the followers of Tianshan Temple are mainly the tourists.
(reporter Wang Sufeng)