Lion's Head Mountain Religious Hall Introduction
The Chuanhuatang was built in 1897 and is located at the foothills of Shitou Mountain. It is the largest and most magnificent temple among the temples on Shitou Mountain. The hall was constructed using the natural rock cave, with part of the temple embedded in the cave. The exterior of Chuanhuatang is splendid, while the interior features stone carvings, wood carvings, and colorful paintings, all of which are simple yet graceful, preserving a rich diversity of traditional art. A pair of dragon columns at the eaves are handcrafted; the right dragon holds a pearl in its mouth, while the left dragon does not. It is said that this is due to different sculptors; each column has a dragon, with the design appearing round and primitive, and lines flowing gracefully. The octagonal stone windows with透雕 on the front eave walls on both sides of the main hall depict qilins, with simple lines and a robust shape, exuding a rustic beauty. The octagonal cast iron windows in the side rooms have an elegant design, while the stone ground dragon on the royal road is vividly lifelike, all of which are rare treasures worth careful observation. The Ziyang Gate at the entrance of Shitou Mountain is the most important historical site within the mountain and is a necessary route for visitors to enter Shitou Mountain. It is an independent gate tower of the穿堂 style, with a majestic two-tiered hipped roof. Two giant stone lions guard the entrance. The Ziyang Gate is constructed using a mixed structure of bricks, tiles, earth, and stone, with the bracketing system mainly made of wood. On the brick and stone archway, the craftsmen divided it into several sections, each known as a "block." From bottom to top, the block names are: "Counter Foot," "Skirt Block," "Waist Block," "Body Block," "Top Block," and "Waterwheel Block." The "Counter Foot," located at the bottom, is carved in a low counter shape, with artisans cleverly arranging floral patterns. The "Skirt Block" features linear carvings of combined flowers, birds, and beasts; the "Waist Block" showcases reliefs of floral patterns; while the most exquisite carvings are the two "Body Blocks" on the sides, characterized by simple shapes and soft lines. From the Chuanhuatang, one can gaze out at the distant mountains cascading into each other, with lush green peaks forming a magnificent landscape. There is accommodation available for visitors at this location.
