Wannian Temple in Emeishan
Wannian Temple (万年寺), also known as Mount Emei Wannian Temple (峨眉山万年寺), is located in Huangwan Township (黄湾乡), Emeishan City (峨眉山市), Leshan City (乐山市), Sichuan Province (四川省), China. Situated at the foot of the Camel Ridge (骆驼岭), the temple stands at an altitude of 1,020 meters. It houses several priceless Buddhist relics, including the Tooth Relic of the Buddha (佛牙), Palm Leaf Scriptures (贝叶经), and Buddha’s Relics (舍利). The temple’s name, Wannian (万年), translates to “Ten Thousand Years,” symbolizing its long-lasting history and heritage.
Chinese Name: 万年寺 (Wannian Temple)
Location: Huangwan Township (黄湾乡), Emeishan City (峨眉山市), Leshan City (乐山市), Sichuan Province (四川省), China
Altitude: 1,020 meters
Opening Hours: 07:00—18:00
Ticket Price: 25 RMB
Area: 20,000 m²
Notable Attractions: Beamless Brick Hall (无梁砖殿), Samantabhadra Copper Statue (普贤铜像)
Historical Development
Founding and Name Changes
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty (东晋, 397–401), Wannian Temple was originally built as Puxian Temple (普贤寺). In Tang Dynasty (唐朝) Qianfu 3rd Year (876), it was renamed Baishui Temple (白水寺). During the Northern Song Dynasty (北宋), it became Baishui Puxian Temple (白水普贤寺). In the Ming Dynasty, during the Wanli era (万历), the emperor Zhu Yijun (明神宗朱翊钧) commissioned the Beamless Brick Hall, inscribed with the name “Shengshou Wannian Temple” (圣寿万年寺), a name that has been used ever since.
Eastern Jin Dynasty: Puxian Temple (普贤寺)
Tang Dynasty: Baishui Temple (白水寺)
Ming Dynasty: Baishui Puxian Temple (白水普贤寺), later Wannian Temple (万年寺)
Geographical Setting
Location
Wannian Temple is located in Huangwan Township (黄湾乡), Emeishan City (峨眉山市), within the Emei Mountain Scenic Area (峨眉山景区). It lies at the base of Camel Ridge (骆驼岭), with picturesque views and tranquil surroundings.
Latitude: 1,020 meters altitude
Climate: Subtropical humid monsoon climate
Key Attractions
Beamless Brick Hall (无梁砖殿)
The Beamless Brick Hall is the most iconic structure in the temple. It stands 17.12 meters high, with a floor area of 15.79 meters by 16.06 meters. The hall is unique for its design—without beams, it relies solely on the interlocking of bricks to hold up its structure, symbolizing the heavens and earth. The hall’s interior features intricate brick carvings, with four walls adorned by thousands of Buddha statues.
Dimensions: Height: 17.12 meters, Width: 15.79 meters, Depth: 16.06 meters
Symbolism: Represents heaven and earth
Samantabhadra Copper Statue (普贤铜像)
Inside the Beamless Brick Hall, the Samantabhadra Copper Statue (普贤铜像) is one of the most important relics. Commissioned during the Song Dynasty (宋朝) in 980 AD, the statue is an iconic representation of Samantabhadra (普贤菩萨) riding a six-tusked white elephant. The statue stands at 7.35 meters tall and weighs 62.1 tons.
Height: 7.35 meters
Weight: 62.1 tons
Material: Copper
Grand Hall of Great Hero (大雄宝殿)
This hall, located behind the Beamless Brick Hall, is the largest building at Wannian Temple. It houses the statue of Amitabha Buddha (阿弥陀佛) and Weituo Bodhisattva (韦驮菩萨).
Cultural and Historical Significance
Buddhist Relics
The temple holds several sacred Buddhist relics, including the Tooth Relic of the Buddha (佛牙), which is believed to be from Sakyamuni (释迦牟尼), though modern research suggests it is actually a saber-toothed tiger (剑齿象) tooth fossil, over 200,000 years old. Another important relic is the Palm Leaf Scriptures (贝叶经), inscribed in Sanskrit and containing the full Agama Sutra (尊益阿含经).
Tooth Relic of the Buddha: Preserved from the Sri Lankan monks during the Ming Dynasty
Palm Leaf Scriptures: Inscribed on Betel Palm Leaves (贝多罗树叶) from India, gifted by the King of Myanmar (缅甸国王).
Legends and Stories
Li Bai, the famous Tang Dynasty poet, visited Wannian Temple and wrote many renowned poems during his stay. Later, Zhu De, Chen Yi, and He Long, leaders of the Chinese Revolution, also visited the temple.
Li Bai: Wrote poems during his time at Wannian Temple in the Tang Dynasty
Zhu De, Chen Yi, He Long: Important figures who visited in the 1950s-60s.
Famous Quotes
One of the most famous anecdotes associated with Wannian Temple is from Deng Xiaoping (邓小平), who, in July 1980, walked up to the temple along a small stone path, refusing to rest despite suggestions to do so. He famously declared, “To climb a mountain, one must never stop.”
Preservation and Honors
Cultural Heritage
The Beamless Brick Hall (无梁砖殿) has been a key cultural heritage site in Sichuan Province (四川省), recognized for its architectural and historical significance. It was declared a protected monument by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Committee in 1956.
1956: Beamless Brick Hall declared a key cultural relic of Sichuan Province.
1961: Samantabhadra Copper Statue recognized as a National Cultural Relic.
2006: Added to the Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units by the State Council.
Tourism Information
Visiting Hours
Summer and Autumn (May 1 – October 7): 06:00—18:30
Winter and Spring (October 8 – April 30): 07:00—17:50
Ticket Information
Entrance Fee: 25 RMB
Transportation
Bus Routes: Available from Baoguosi Bus Station (报国寺旅游客运中心), Wuxian Gang Station (五显岗车站)
Walking Paths: Distance from Baoguosi to Fuhu Temple: 1 km, from Fuhu Temple to Qinyinge: 12 km, from Qinyinge to Wannian Temple: 2 km
