Lion's Head Mountain Quanhua Temple Introduction
The Qunhua Hall was built in 1897 and is located in the foothills of Shitou Mountain. Among the temples on Shitou Mountain, Qunhua Hall is the largest in scale and the most magnificent in appearance. The hall is constructed using the natural rock cave, with part of its structure embedded within the cave. The exterior of Qunhua Hall is splendid, while the interior features stone carvings, wood carvings, and colorful paintings, displaying rich and diverse traditional artworks that are both simple and graceful. The set of dragon columns on the eaves of the corridor are handcrafted; the right dragon holds a pearl in its mouth, while the left dragon does not. It is said that they were carved by different artisans; each column has one dragon, with a rounded and ancient style and smooth flowing lines. The octagonal stone windows on the front eaves of the main hall's sides are intricately carved with images of Qilin, characterized by simple lines and solid shapes, exuding a primitive beauty. The octagonal cast iron windows in the auxiliary rooms are elegantly designed, while the dragon in the stone paving on the royal road is vividly carved, all of which are rare treasures worth detailed appreciation. The Ziyang Gate at the entrance of Shitou Mountain is the most important historical site within the mountain and serves as the necessary route for visitors entering Shitou Mountain. It is an independent gate tower in a corridor style, with a重檐歇山 architectural roof that presents a majestic and grand layout, flanked by two giant stone lions at the entrance. The overall structure of Ziyang Gate employs a mix of brick, tile, earth, and stone, with the girders primarily crafted from wood. On the brick and stone archway, artisans have divided it into several blocks, each referred to as "a wall," with the names of the blocks listed from bottom to top as follows: "counterfoot," "skirt wall," "waist wall," "main wall," "top wall," and "waterwheel wall." The "counterfoot" is located at the bottom, carved into a low counter shape with florid designs skillfully arranged; the "skirt wall" features line carvings of floral and animal motifs; the "waist wall" has bas-relief floral patterns; the two “main walls” on the sides are the most delicately crafted, showcasing a simple form and soft lines. From the Qunhua Hall, one can gaze upon the distant mountains interlaced with each other, where green peaks form a magnificent scenery. This area provides accommodations for visitors.
