Ziyun Temple Introduction
Ziyun Temple is a famous Grade III historic site located at the edge of the Alishan mountain range, about seventeen kilometers from Chiayi City. As one of the older historic temples in Taiwan, Ziyun Temple was founded in the 21st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign during the Qing dynasty (1682), boasting a history of over three hundred years. The temple faces southeast and features a structure with five openings, two main halls, and two corridors with guardians on either side. In front of the temple is a spacious courtyard, with two bell and drum towers on either side of the covered corridors, each two stories tall. The pillars in the front hall are inscribed with the sayings: "Purple light reveals the appearance, the shadow of clouds reflects the cicada's heart." The outer eaves are adorned with decorative carvings resting on three beams, and the main entrance is flanked by stone carvings of a pair of qilin looking back. The carvings at Ziyun Temple are exceptionally intricate, featuring stunning details in the dragon pillars, phoenix tails, and rafters that impress visitors. Within the gable walls, there are ancient inscriptions including the "Buddha's Incense Lamp Stele" from 1765 (established by Master Juefeng, clarifying the temple's property boundaries), the "Bantian Rock Reconstruction Stele" from 1857 (established by Guo Zhuohai), records of the Jianji Qing Hall, and the "Bantian Rock Buddha Stele," among eight ancient steles whose inscriptions are still legible today. In front of the temple stand two ancient plum trees that are over two hundred years old, known as the "Mandarin Duck Plums." Surrounding the temple are several hectares of Paulownia and Tung trees, which create a stunning sea of white flowers during the blooming season, filling the air with a fragrant scent that invigorates the spirit.
