Lion's Head Mountain Jianhua Temple Introduction
The Chuanhua Temple was built in 1897 and is located in the foothills of Shitou Mountain. Among the temples on Shitou Mountain, Chuanhua Temple is the largest and most magnificent. The main hall utilizes the existing natural cave for construction, with part of the temple embedded into the cave. The exterior of Chuanhua Temple is splendid, while the interior decorations of stone carvings, wood carvings, and paintings are simple yet graceful, showcasing a rich variety of traditional artistic works. A pair of dragon columns at the eaves of the corridor are hand-carved, with the right dragon holding a pearl in its mouth and the left dragon not holding one. It is said that different craftsmanship is involved; one column features one dragon, with rounded and primitive shapes and smooth, elegant lines. The octagonal stone windows on the front eaves walls of the main hall are adorned with carvings of qilin, characterized by simple lines and sturdy shapes, embodying a rustic beauty. The octagonal cast iron windows of the side rooms are elegantly shaped; the coiled dragon carved into the stone path at the entrance is vivid, all of which are rare fine pieces worth careful appreciation. The Ziyang Gate at the entrance of Shitou Mountain is the most important historical site on the mountain, serving as a necessary path for visitors. It is an independent gate tower of the穿堂 style, featuring a double-eaved, hip-roof architectural design that is grand and imposing, with two massive stone lions flanking the entrance. The Ziyang Gate employs a mixed structure of brick, tile, earth, and stone. The brackets above the doorway are primarily made of wood, and on the brick and stone archway, the craftsmen divided it into several panels, each called "a block," with names from bottom to top being "counter foot," "skirt block," "waist block," "body block," "top block," and "waterwheel block." The "counter foot" is located at the bottom and is carved in the shape of a low counter, with artisans skillfully arranging floral patterns; next, the "skirt block" features line carvings of flowers, birds, and beasts; the "waist block" has relief carvings of floral patterns; the most exquisite carvings are the two "body blocks" on the left and right, which have a simple form and soft lines. From the Chuanhua Temple, one can view the distant, overlapping mountains, with lush green peaks creating a magnificent landscape, and this location provides accommodations for visitors.
