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

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.