A Daoist Temple

Daoism is a diverse tradition indigenous to China, variously characterized as both a philosophy and a religion.

For long time, the religion in China was a tabou, especially during the period of Cultural Revelution (1966 – 1976), many temples (included other religion’s buildings) had been closed or damaged.

This Daoist Temple Chun Yang Guan 純陽觀, built at 1824, situate in the southern part of Guangzhou, opened or reopened to public at 2003. I didn’t know the existing of it at all, neither many cantonese.

The entrance of the Chun Yang Temple. It’s new, added at 2007.
It was end of Feb. 2024, the decorations of Chinese New Year had not been taken off.

Stair to the Temple

Original Entrance of Chun Yang Temple, repaired at 2002.

Main Hall of the Temple: Chun Yang Bao Dian 純陽寶殿

In front of the Main Hall, there were two sculptures on the ground (Red-crowned Cranes and Dragons), it seems to me that they have been made recently:

Red-crowned Cranes (Dan Ding He 丹頂鶴), symbolizes longevity and wealth

Dragons (Long 龍), symbol of power, nobility, and honor

Ci Hang Hall 慈航殿

Ling Guan Hall 靈觀殿

A piece of art made of jade (new) in the Temple’s Garden
Nine Dragons playing with a Pearl 九龍戲珠

Stone Turtle in the Temple’s yard

A 200-year-old Frangipani 雞蛋花 in the Temple Garden
Imagine how spectacular when it is in full bloom (April to October)

Temple’s Roof

A corner of Temple’s Garden

A Bombax ceiba or Cotton tree (mumian 木棉) in the Temple Garden
This big tree with red flowers is also the City Tree of Guangzhou

February 2024.