The Only Temple of the Empress: Huangze Temple and the Stone Carvings of Wu Zetian

The "Hometown of the Empress"

1.Located on the western bank of the Jialing: River in the Lizhou District of Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, Huangze Temple (Huangze Si) stands as a unique cultural landmark. It is renowned as the only temple in China exclusively dedicated to Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history. The temple complex is built along the river and leans against the majestic cliffs, creating a harmonious blend of architecture and natural geology. Situated about 3 kilometers from the city center, it faces the famous Thousand Buddha Cliff across the river. As a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National 4A Tourist Attraction, Huangze Temple is not only a site of worship but also a treasure trove of cliffside stone carving art, preserving the legacy of the Tang and Song dynasties in a spectacular riverside setting,,.

The Legend of the Empress's Birth

2.The history of Huangze: Temple is deeply intertwined with the life of Wu Zetian. Born in Lizhou (modern-day Guangyuan) where her father served as a governor, legends say she spent her childhood playing by the river near this site. It is said that upon her ascension to the throne, she honored her birthplace by renaming the original temple "Huangze," meaning "Imperial Favor." The temple flourished during the Tang Dynasty, becoming a center for the worship of the Empress and a focal point for Buddhist art. The site bears witness to the political and religious atmosphere of her reign, where Buddhism was promoted to legitimize her rule. Today, it remains the primary site for the "Daughter's Festival" (Nu'er Jie), a local tradition celebrating Wu Zetian's birthday, where women gather to pray for wisdom and fortune,.

The True Image of the Empress

3.The heart of the temple is the Zetian: Hall (Zetian Dian), which houses the most significant artifact of the site: the "True Image of Wu Zetian" (Wu Zetian Zhen容). Unlike the youthful depictions seen in dramas, this stone statue portrays the Empress in her later years. She is depicted sitting solemnly, wearing a Buddhist cap and a loose robe, with a kind yet majestic expression that reflects her dual identity as a devout Buddhist and a powerful ruler. This statue is considered a rare and authentic representation of her likeness, distinct from standard religious iconography. Surrounding the main hall are stele inscriptions from the Qing Dynasty and other periods that record her biography and the complex historical evaluations of her reign,.

A Gallery of Cliffside Art

Beyond the central hall, Huangze Temple is a gallery of ancient stone carvings. The cliff face, stretching about 200 meters, is dotted with grottoes and niches dating back to the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. Notable among them is the Big Buddha Tower (Dafo Lou), which houses majestic statues carved directly into the rock. The artistic style here bridges the robust Northern aesthetic with the delicate Southern style, showcasing the evolution of Buddhist art in the Sichuan basin. The site also features the Sugar Cane Cliff (Zhezhe Ya) and other unique geological formations. Walking through the temple grounds, visitors can admire the interplay between the towering cliffs, the ancient cypress trees, and the flowing Jialing River, experiencing a profound sense of history and spirituality,,.