Lion's Head Mountain Quanhua Temple Introduction
The Kuanhua Hall was built in 1897 and is located in the foothills of Lion's Head Mountain. Among the temples on Lion's Head Mountain, Kuanhua Hall is the largest in scale and the most magnificent in appearance. The hall incorporates the existing natural cave, with part of the structure embedded in the cave. Kuanhua Hall boasts a splendid exterior and features rich decorations, including stone carvings, wood carvings, and paintings, all of which showcase a blend of simplicity and elegance, retaining a wealth of diverse traditional artistic works. The pair of dragon pillars at the eaves of the corridor are handcrafted, with the right dragon holding a pearl and the left dragon not. It is said that different craftsmen carved each pillar and each dragon, resulting in rounded and primitive shapes with smooth lines. The eight-sided stone windows with openwork carvings on the front eaves walls of the main hall depict Qilin, characterized by simple lines and robust shapes, exuding a rustic beauty. The octagonal cast iron windows of the side rooms are elegantly designed, while the coiled dragon relief on the stone path is vividly lifelike, making them rare and exquisite pieces worthy of careful appreciation. The Ziyang Gate at Lion's Head Mountain is the most important monument within the area and is the gateway used to access the mountain. It is an independent gate tower designed in a corridor style, featuring a double-eaved hip roof that is grand in structure, flanked by two massive stone lions. The Ziyang Gate is constructed using a mixed structure of brick, tile, earth, and stone, while the brackets on the gate are primarily wooden. Craftsmen segmented the brick and stone archway into several panels, each referred to as "a wall," with names designated from bottom to top: "counter foot," "skirt wall," "waist wall," "body wall," "top wall," and "waterwheel wall." The "counter foot" is located at the base and sculpted to resemble a low counter, with artisans skillfully arranging floral patterns. The "skirt wall" features line carvings of a combination of flowers, birds, and beasts; the "waist wall" presents reliefs of floral patterns. The most exquisite craftsmanship is found in the left and right "body walls," which are simplified in form and smooth in lines. From Kuanhua Hall, one can gaze at the distant, overlapping mountain ranges, where lush green peaks create a grand landscape. This place also provides accommodations for visitors.
