A Line of Loyalty and Righteousness Inherits the Mountains and Seas, Incense from Both Shores Illuminates Fuyao

On the south bank of the Beixi River of the Jiulong River in Longwen District, Zhangzhou, stands a Guan Yu Temple with an extraordinary layout dating back to the Ming Dynasty—the Fuyao Guan Yu Temple. It is not only a provincially protected cultural relic but also a cultural landmark that integrates imperial grace, cross-strait affection, and natural wonders, witnessing over four centuries of history. Origin: A Temple Emerging from Legend into History The origin of Fuyao Guan Yu Temple intertwines touching folk legends with solid historical records. It is said that its predecessor can be traced back to the "Dragon Boat Fort" (later called Zhen'an Fort), a refuge built by loyalists during the Southern Song Dynasty. Regarding the establishment of the main temple at the foot of the mountain, a local story about "Guan Yu slaying the chicken spirit and protecting the bride of Dongshan" is widely told. Even more legendary is the tale of "Guan Yu’s dream offering tangerines to save the Empress Dowager": during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Guan Yu appeared in a dream to a local merchant, who used local tangerines to cure the Empress Dowager’s serious illness. Emperor Wanli was greatly pleased and bestowed a jade belt made of thirteen pieces of green jade as a token of gratitude. This "green jade belt" has since become the temple’s most treasured relic. Although the story has legendary elements, the temple’s physical construction has a clear date: it was first built in the 28th year of Wanli (1600 AD) and has undergone multiple renovations during the Qing Shunzhi and Guangxu periods, with incense burning continuously to this day. Scenery: Buildings and Treasures Carrying Memories The entire temple is built by the mountain and water, covering a vast area. The main structure consists of front and rear halls with a courtyard, featuring a solemn single-eave Xieshan roof. In front of the temple are thirteen steps, and the vermilion temple doors are studded with eighty-one door nails symbolizing high rank. Besides the architecture itself, two major treasures inside the temple are particularly eye-catching. The foremost is the green jade belt bestowed by Emperor Wanli. This belt consists of thirteen pieces with a delicate luster, serving as direct evidence of the temple’s connection to imperial power, and is only displayed publicly at specific times each year. The other treasure is a pair of "Eight Immortals Coiled Dragon Stone Pillars," donated and transported back by the Yang clan from Taiwan in the 10th year of Guangxu (1884). The stone pillars feature fierce green dragons and uniquely shaped Eight Immortals, carved with exquisite craftsmanship. According to research, there are only four such coiled dragon stone pillars with the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea pattern nationwide, with two each preserved in Taiwan and Fuyao Guan Yu Temple. These pillars are not only artistic masterpieces but also powerful testimonies to the blood ties and shared faith between Fujian and Taiwan. Wonder: The Natural Marvel of Mountain and Water The wonder of Fuyao Guan Yu Temple also lies in the unique scene created together with its natural environment. Every year in the evenings of the 5th and mid-10th lunar months, a rare phenomenon called "Sunset Illuminates Guan Yu" occurs. Around 4 to 5 PM, the slanting western sunlight shines on the Jiulong River in front of the temple, and the shimmering water precisely refracts the golden light onto the face of the Guan Yu statue inside the main hall. In an instant, Guan Yu’s solemn image—with phoenix eyes, sleeping silkworm eyebrows, and a face like a ripe jujube—appears even more majestic under the light and shadow. This phenomenon is formed by the specific angle and height difference between the temple and the river surface, appearing only about ten days a year and lasting just a few minutes each time, yet it attracts countless tourists and devotees who come to witness this natural spectacle. Echo: A Cultural Site Everlasting Having withstood the test of time, Fuyao Guan Yu Temple underwent comprehensive restoration from 1996 to 1998 and was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province in 2009. Today, it is not only an important place for religious activities but also a vibrant cultural space. On the 13th day of the 5th lunar month, the birthday of Guan Yu, temple fairs are held with crowds of worshippers gathering. The temple still preserves Qing Dynasty wooden printing blocks for fortune poems, continuing traditional folk customs. Around Fuyao Village where the temple is located, there are also the ruins of the Ming Dynasty Zhen'an Fort and thirteen ancient pottery kiln sites, together forming a historical and cultural area perfect for leisurely exploration. In summary, Fuyao Guan Yu Temple lives up to its name, embodying the soaring spirit of "rising straight up." It combines imperial treasures, cross-strait kinship, and natural wonders reflected in the landscape, far surpassing the scope of an ordinary folk temple. Here, every brick and tile, every artifact, and every special ray of sunset tells stories of loyalty, righteousness, hometown affection, and harmony between heaven and earth, making it a unique and deeply worth-exploring cultural destination on the banks of the Jiulong River. Recommended Accommodation: Yongle Wisdom Hotel Wisdom Hotel (Zhangzhou Ancient City Branch) Zhangzhou · Fujian Fuyao Guan Yu Temple Yongle Wisdom Hotel (Zhangzhou Ancient City Branch)