Lanzhou Jintian Temple

Lanzhou Jintian Temple, a renowned Daoist temple. Located at the foot of Huilin Mountain in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, it is commonly known as Leitan. Originally built as Yunfeng Temple during the Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt as Jiuyang Temple during the Song Dynasty.

In the first year of the Jianwen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1399), the first Prince Su Zhuang, Zhu Ying, relocated the Su Wangfu from Ganzhou to the Shanzi area of Lanzhou. Upon seeing the site’s resemblance to the shape of a divine being’s flowing sleeves, he began construction of the Daoist temple the following year.

Since it was completed in autumn and the site was located west of the original Lanzhou City, following the principles of the Five Elements, he named it “Jintian Guan,” taking the meaning of “Gengxin Metal” from the western direction.

It was renovated in the 31st year of the Jiajing reign (1552). In the 46th year of the Qianlong reign (1781), the original buildings were destroyed by war. In the 59th year of the Qianlong reign (1794), Xu Rong, the governor of Gansu Province, donated funds to rebuild the temple according to its original scale.

In the 11th year of the Jiaqing reign (1806), Liu Guancheng, the Deputy General of the Gansu Provincial Army, renovated it again. During the Daoguang reign (1821–1850), the Ah Gong Shrine and the San Gong Shrine were added. During the Republic of China period (1912–1949), some of the temple’s buildings, statues, and murals were damaged. This temple was originally the largest official Daoist temple in Lanzhou, featuring majestic halls, winding corridors, dense pine and cypress trees, and a serene environment. During the Cultural Revolution, the entire complex was destroyed.

Currently, parts of the halls such as the Wuji Hall and the Shen Yu Hall have been restored, and over ten new Taoist deity statues, including the Three Purities, the Four Emperors, and the Two Mothers (Heavenly Mother and Earthly Mother), have been sculpted. Murals depicting the “Twelve Great Immortals,” the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, and the Boy of Good Fortune have also been painted. It is one of the key Taoist temples open to the public in Gansu Province.

《Taoist Encyclopedia》