Jiuhuashan Ganlu Temple

CHINA, Anhui, Chizhou

Ganlu means Sweet Dew and it is located halfway up the north side of Jiuhuashan. It is one of the Four Major Temples on the mountain, and is an important temple for devotees taking the north pilgrimage route. It was founded by Master Dong’an in 1667 during the Qing dynasty. The temple has been rebuilt and repaired a number of times throughout its history. The present structures are the result of repairs carried out at the end of the 19th century. It was listed as a key Buddhist temple in the Han Region of China in 1983.
Facing north, the temple was built on the slope of the mountain and therefore does not conform to the usual temple layout. The main structures include the main temple gate, Skanda Hall, Great Hero Hall, meditation hall, Dharma Hall, and the reception hall. The five-by-five bay Great Hero Hall has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof covered in yellow glazed tiles. The west side of the hall leads to three connected buildings. The entire compound is a combination of residential quarters and halls. The Buddhist College of Jiuhuashan is located within the temple.