Phoenix Temple and The Palace of Yu

Phoenix Temple and The Palace of Yu in Ciqikou - Origin

According to the legend, the Phoenix Temple was first built on the Phoenix Mountain of Ciqikou Ancient Town in Ming Dynasty, while the exact time is not confirmed in current days. A hall of the Phoenix Temple still exists as well as a temple tablet which was donated by people in the period of Emperor Jiajin of Ming Dynasty.

The Palace of Yu in Ciqikou Ancient Town was moved by people from Huguang Province (Hunan Province and Hubei Province in current days). As the disaster of flood, they always enshrined the statue of Yu, who had done well in water control, and naturally, the Palace of Yu has been the guild hall for all people of Huguang Province.

Phoenix Temple and The Palace of Yu in Ciqikou – Phoenix Temple

Nowadays, Phoenix Temple attracts a lot of Buddhist followers, among which are more and more women, probably due to its particular vegetarian food provided both in the 1st and 15th of each lunar month. Tourists are able to buy the food material advanced or not.

On the morning of that day, followers arrived Phoenix Temple earlier to prepare lunch together and enjoy together, especially on the morning of lunar February 19th, June 19th and September 19th, the number of followers would reach about 300-400, for the days were said the birthday of Bodhisattva's.

But don't forget to wish your dishes by yourself after dinner otherwise your good fortune will gone.

Phoenix Temple was also called Phoenix Nunnery, probably originally from the fact that there was the place of nuns.

Phoenix Temple and The Palace of Yu in Ciqikou - The Palace of Yu

The Palace of Yu located at the village of Ma'an Mountain, which is a well-preserved square courtyard. The foundation of the Palace of Yu was made of red rock with its profound history.

During the chaos of the transition between Ming Dynasty and Qing Dyasty, the population of Sichuan decreased a lot, as well as the grain tax, while Huguang Province was sufferd natural disaster. Thus, a great number of people moved to Sichuan Province spontaneously, and besides that, Qing Dynasty government formulated a serious of preferential policies to attract people from Huguang area.

Since moved into Sichuan Province, the people of Huguang Province built the Palace of Yu as their guild hall due to keep their traditions and customs, which has become the professional school for their own children during the period of the Republic of China.