Shuilu Temple

Shuilu Temple is a renowned Buddhist monastery dating back to the Six Dynasties period, housing ancient painted sculptures that represent a treasure trove of China’s classical sculptural art, often hailed as “China’s second Dunhuang.” Originally serving as the Shuilu Hall, it was a key venue for conducting the “Grand Shuilu Fast” and “Shuilu Ritual Ceremonies.” During the Ming Dynasty, Prince Qin Zhu Huaizhen spent over five years renovating it into a family temple. The temple’s Mahavira Hall preserves more than 3,700 clay sculptures, celebrated as “wall-sculpture masterpieces.” Surrounded by water on three sides like an isolated island, with towering green mountains behind and a river encircling it, the site earned its name as Shuilu Temple. Shuilu Temple is a quadrangle-style complex featuring a five-bay mountain gate at the front, 13 side rooms on both the north and south sides, a three-bay central hall in the courtyard, and a five-bay main hall to the west. This complete Buddhist temple complex maintains a serene and ancient atmosphere throughout its tranquil courtyards. The colorful clay murals are the essence of Shuilu Temple, boasting significant aesthetic value and historical research importance. These murals are entirely housed within the temple’s main hall, divided into four sections: the north and south gable walls, the central partition walls, and the eave walls. The mural group integrates painting, sculpture in the round, relief carving, and openwork techniques, adorning walls, beams, and columns with over 3,700 statues depicting human figures and natural elements. These artistic works showcase Buddhist stories and mythological characters through exquisite carvings and vibrant colors, serving not only as expressions of religious faith but also as testaments to ancient artisans’ rich imagination and superb craftsmanship, attracting numerous visitors to pause and admire. Renowned for its exquisite wall sculptures and Buddhist rituals, Shuilu Temple is not only a sacred site of Buddhist culture but also an ideal destination for art enthusiasts and history researchers to explore ancient traditions.