A Foodie's Guide to Xishan Temple in Shunde

Shunde's culinary scene is booming, and Qing Hui Garden is always packed with people, especially during holidays. Besides Qing Hui Garden, there's another place in Shunde where you can admire the essence of Lingnan architecture: Xishan Temple. Its brick and pottery carvings are just as impressive as those at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou. Xishan Temple, initially built in the 20th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, is dedicated to Guan Yu, making it a renowned Guan Di Temple in Daliang, Shunde. The existing structure was renovated during the Guangxu reign. Although the temple isn't large, its exquisite details will captivate you. 🌟Highlights 1️⃣ The couplet at the main gate: "May heaven always bring forth good people, may people always do good deeds." Couplets at Guan Di Temples are always intriguing. I remember the one at Tong Huai Guan Yue Temple in Quanzhou: "What good is it to pray with deceit and cunning? Those who are fair and upright need not worship." Simple yet powerful words of caution. 2️⃣ The Shiwan pottery art on the roof ridges. From the main gate to the main hall and side halls, remember to look up. The pottery sculptures depict myths like the Sun and Moon Gods, the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, and the Harmony Gods, as well as stories from the Three Kingdoms. Each piece is vibrant and lifelike, no less impressive than those at Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. 3️⃣ Pottery, brick carvings, and murals of Guan Yu's stories. As a Guan Di Temple, the walls on both sides of the main hall entrance, the roof ridges, and the corridor bricks all tell stories of Guan Yu, such as his single-handed journey of a thousand miles and the Oath of the Peach Garden. The characters are vividly portrayed, complemented by Lingnan-style landscape paintings, creating a strong sense of depth. 4️⃣ The bronze statue of Guan Yu enshrined in the main hall, flanked by Guan Ping on the left and Zhou Cang on the right. On both sides of the statues are wood carvings of cranes, peach branches, pomegranates, and more. 5️⃣ Stone carvings. Under the corridor of the main hall are several stone statues, reportedly relocated from the tomb of Huang Shijun, a Zhuangyuan (top scholar in the imperial examination) from Shunde. 6️⃣ Stele gallery. Up the hill to the right of the main hall is a stele gallery, displaying ancient inscriptions discovered in Shunde, including writings by Zhuangyuan and records of dragon boat races. ❤️Personal Comments ➡️ Xishan Temple is small; it takes less than five minutes to walk up the stone steps to the main hall. Compared to the bustling Qing Hui Garden, it's quiet and serene, a perfect summer retreat. ➡️ Exploring Xishan Temple is fascinating. Every pottery sculpture tells a story. Walking around and reading these stories carved on the eaves feels like navigating a maze. 3️⃣ Guan Yu is the God of Wealth in War, so those who are not working might want to pray for some unexpected fortune. 4️⃣ Qing Hui Garden is a model of Lingnan gardens, and Shiwan pottery represents Lingnan ceramic art. Southern pottery uses bold and bright colors, and the characters are traditional yet exaggerated and playful. The Shiwan pottery in Xishan Temple also includes relics from the Wenyian Hall of the late Qing Dynasty, making it well worth a visit. Transportation: Take Exit B from Daliang Zhonglou Station on Foshan Metro Line 3 and walk about 100 meters. It's 800 meters from Qing Hui Garden, about a 15-minute walk. Admission: Free Three sticks of incense are provided free of charge at the temple, so you don't need to bring your own. There's a stamp at the incense offering area. There will be a market in the square during holidays.