Pingliang, Gansu Province

The Whispering Spring and Ancient Guardians: Exploring the Sacred Longquan Temple of Chongxin

📸Photography 🧗Adventure

Altitude

1,120m

Best Time

🌸 ☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Paid

ℹ️

About This Attraction

A Sanctuary of Springs and Spirits

1.Nestled at the northern foot of the Fengshan: Mountain in Chongxin County, Pingliang City, Longquan Temple is a breathtaking sanctuary where nature and spirituality converge. Renowned for its three wonders—perennial springs, ancient trees, and sacred caves—the site is carved directly into striking red Danxia landforms, offering a landscape that feels both mystical and serene. As a National 4A Scenic Area and a provincial cultural relic, it stands as a testament to the enduring bond between human faith and the natural world on the Loess Plateau.

The Legend of the Dragon Spring

2.The heart of the temple is the Dragon: Spring (Longquan), from which the site derives its name. According to local folklore, a dragon once resided here to guard the waters, ensuring a constant flow even during the harshest droughts. The spring water maintains a constant temperature year-round and cascades through the rocks, creating a network of crystal-clear streams and ponds. Visitors often pause at the Dragon Spring Pavilion to listen to the rhythmic "whispering" of the water against the ancient stones, a sound that has inspired poets and scholars for over a millennium.

Botanical Sentinels of the Loess

Beyond the water, Longquan Temple is famous for its collection of ancient trees that act as living monuments. The most iconic is the "Dragon Paw Cypress," a tree over 1,000 years old with twisted, claw-like branches that seem to grip the very mountain. Nearby, ancient ginkgoes and pagoda trees provide a lush canopy that contrasts sharply with the surrounding rugged plateau. These trees are not merely plants but are revered as guardians of the spring, believed to possess the spirit and vitality of the earth itself.

Highland Aesthetics and Grotto Architecture

3.The architecture of Longquan: Temple is a masterpiece of integration, with halls and shrines built directly into natural alcoves and caves. The Tiantai Cave and other grottoes showcase the seamless blend of Buddhism and Taoism, where statues and inscriptions are protected by the red conglomerate cliffs. Reaching an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters, the temple's higher terraces provide a vantage point to witness the "Highland Aesthetics" of Gansu—a view of sprawling ravines, green forests, and the distant horizon where the sky meets the plateau.

✨ Why Visit Longquan Temple, Chongxin

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The Crystal Dragon Spring

Witness the perennial spring that flows through the Danxia cliffs, creating a symphony of water and stone.

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Millennium "Dragon Paw" Cypress

Marvel at the ancient tree whose roots and branches have been shaped by a thousand years of mountain winds.

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Danxia Cave Temples

Explore religious structures like Tiantai Cave, which are intricately built into the natural red rock alcoves.

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A Botanical Sanctuary

Wander through a lush forest of ancient ginkgoes and pagoda trees, a rare green oasis on the Loess Plateau.

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Harmony of Faiths

Experience the unique coexistence of Buddhist and Taoist culture within a single sacred site.

Location & Nearby

📍 Pingliang, Gansu Province • 🏔️ 1120m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Longquan Temple, Chongxin Travel Guide

Where is Longquan Temple located?

It is located at the northern foot of Fengshan Mountain in Chongxin County, Pingliang City, Gansu Province.

What is the main attraction of the temple?

The site is famous for its "three wonders": the Dragon Spring, the ancient cypresses, and the cave shrines.

Is there a specific tree I should look for?

Yes, the "Dragon Paw Cypress" is the most famous tree on-site, known for its unique shape and thousand-year history.

What type of terrain can I expect?

The temple is built on a mountain slope with Danxia landforms, meaning there are stone steps and paths along the cliffs.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and autumn are ideal, as the weather is pleasant and the vegetation or autumn colors are most vibrant.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Longquan Temple, Chongxin?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.