Wansong Temple

Wansong Temple is the largest temple on Panshan Mountain. Originally known as Li Jing An, it was named after the renowned Tang‑dynasty general Li Jing, who once resided here. In the early Qing period, the poet and imperial censor Song Luo remarked that “it would be improper to address a worthy predecessor by his given name,” and thus renamed it Weigong An. Wansong Temple is celebrated for its “green mountains and clear waters, misty moonlight among the vines, and pine‑scented breezes”; its “stately presence and solemn Buddhist statues make it truly one of the foremost monasteries in the eastern capital region.” The Zen master Puzhao once served as abbot, reciting the four‑character Buddha mantra and guiding others toward goodness. In the spring of the forty‑third year of the Kangxi reign (1704 AD), Emperor Kangxi, during another imperial tour, bestowed an imperial edict renaming the temple Wansong Temple. Today, though Wansong Temple still echoes with the ancient chime of its bells and stands beneath towering pagodas, it no longer bears the poetic imagery of its name—no thousand pines casting their shadows, no myriad valleys filled with the rustling of pines—nor does it possess that same exquisite charm.

Rinse Gorge

“Shuxia Gorge” was inscribed by the renowned Taiwanese calligrapher, Mr. Liu Bingnan. It speaks of Panshan’s scenic splendor and the cascading streams, which truly resemble a gorge where one might rinse and wash.

Yunzhao Temple

Yunzhao Temple was formerly known as Jianglong An and was founded during the Taihe era of the Tang Dynasty by Master Daozong. Historically, the temple enshrined the Imperial Treasury’s Thousand‑Leaf Precious Lotus Buddha. In the thirtieth year of the Wanli reign, it was officially bestowed the name “Yunzhao Temple.” Perched atop a sheer summit, shrouded in clouds and veiled in mist, from below one can scarcely tell whether the temple is the cloud or the cloud is the temple—hence the name Yunzhao Temple. Standing proudly at the pinnacle of Panshan Mountain, the temple has long enjoyed a renowned reputation, regarded as the foremost among all the monasteries on the mountain and hailed as the “Buddhist Palace Amidst the Clouds.” When clouds rise at the mountaintop, its golden halls gleam with radiant splendor; when the clouds disperse, its jagged peaks sparkle in the light. Ascending this sacred site evokes the sense of gazing upward at a lofty pagoda that seems close to the heavens, while looking down upon the world below, where earthly affairs seem to swirl and churn. Emperor Qianlong himself praised this place as “supreme and wondrous.”

Ingot Stone

This massive boulder, weathered by wind and rain over the centuries, has taken on a shape that is wide at the top and narrow at the base—resembling a traditional ingot—hence its name, “Yuanbao Stone.” It truly stands as Pan Mountain’s treasured landmark. Carved upon it are the words: “Here lie lofty mountains, steep peaks, strange rocks, and rare pines,” inscribed by Ning Chun, a scholar‑candidate from ancient Miyun. Drawn to Pan Mountain by its unique scenery, he adapted a line from Wang Xizhi, the celebrated calligrapher of the Jin Dynasty, found in his Preface to the Orchid Pavilion: “Here lie lofty mountains, steep peaks, lush forests, and slender bamboo.” Believing that this phrase fell short of capturing the essence of Pan Mountain, he revised it to read: “Here lie lofty mountains, steep peaks, strange rocks, and rare pines.” In the lower right corner is an inscription left by the esteemed scholar Fu Zengxiang, who visited Pan Mountain on three separate occasions.

New Mountain Gate

Comprising three tiers of platforms, the complex covers an area of 13,200 square meters and can accommodate up to 10,000 people simultaneously for large-scale performances and events. For this reason, it is also known as the Cultural Performance Plaza. Whenever Pan Shan hosts major gatherings, grand celebrations, or other significant occasions, these events are invariably held here—such as the large-scale festivities marking the 30th anniversary of Pan Shan’s opening in 2012, the annual Pan Shan Temple Fair, the opening ceremony of the Pan Shan Mountain Climbing Competition, and the opening of the Yuyang Golden Autumn Tourism Festival. Moreover, the Pan Shan Administration has traditionally staged its grand “Qianlong Ascends Pan Shan” reenactment here as well.

The main attractions of Panshan Mountain

Wufeng Bashi: The scenic beauty of Panshan is renowned for its “Five Peaks and Eight Rocks” and the “Three Terraces’ Splendor,” which together create an exceptionally unique landscape. The main peak, Guayue Peak, rises to an elevation of 864.4 meters; it is embraced by Zigai Peak in front, backed by Zilai Peak, connected to Jiuhua Peak on the east, and flanked by Wujian Peak on the west, with these five peaks clustered closely and their jagged rocks standing in striking profusion. The Three Terraces’ Splendor: Nature has naturally fashioned the “Three Terraces’ Splendor”—the upper terrace excels in pines, whose gnarled trunks twist skyward; the middle terrace shines with peculiar, wondrous rock formations; and the lower terrace captivates with cascading waters that sparkle like jade and spurt pearls. The Evening Rain over the Three Terraces: The Evening Rain over the Three Terraces is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Tianjin. At dusk, when the lingering haze and mist veil the hills, all three terraces—the upper terrace famed for its pines, the middle terrace celebrated for its rocks, and the lower terrace admired for its water—are shrouded in clouds.