Chuanzhu Temple 🏯｜A Thousand-Year-Old Temple in Hejiang, Luzhou, Sichuan

📍 Address: Binjiang Road, Hejiang Town, Hejiang County, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province (former old urban area of the county)

📜 Historical Origins

Chuanzhu Temple was originally constructed during the Southern Song Dynasty in the year 1131 (during the Shaoxing era), built as a dedicated shrine in honor of Li Bing, the legendary water-control hero and revered "Lord of Rivers" of Shu. Located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Chishui River, Hejiang has long suffered from frequent flooding. The local people deeply admired Li Bing’s achievements in channeling rivers and developing water conservancy projects, leading to the construction of this temple in his commemoration. The temple underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and its current structures largely reflect Qing architectural style. It stands as one of the better-preserved ancient temples in southern Sichuan dedicated to water control rituals.

🏛️ Architectural Features

The temple faces south with its back to the mountain and fronting the river, featuring a well-ordered layout. Its main buildings include the Mountain Gate, Front Hall, Main Hall, Rear Hall, and east and west subsidiary halls, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters. Constructed using traditional interlocking wooden frame techniques, the temple features blue-tiled roofs, upturned eaves, and intricately carved beams and columns. Inside the Main Hall stands a statue of Li Bing, while side murals depict historical scenes such as the founding of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and river management efforts—rendered in a simple, rustic style that reflects strong regional folk art characteristics.

🏷️ Cultural Relics

• Ming Dynasty Stone Inscriptions: Record the history of temple reconstructions, with clear inscriptions and powerful calligraphy.
• Bronze Bell from the Daoguang Period (Qing Dynasty): Hung in the bell tower, the bell bears the inscription “Good weather, abundant harvests, national peace and prosperity,” producing a deep, resonant tone.
• Well-Preserved Qing Dynasty Color Murals: Depict legends of water control, folk beliefs, and daily life in the region.

🌟 Cultural Significance

Chuanzhu Temple is a vital physical testament for studying water conservancy culture, folk religion, and ancestral temple architecture in the Bashu region. The temple’s traditional rituals continue to be observed today. Every year on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month—the anniversary of the Lord of Rivers—local residents hold a grand temple fair featuring dragon dances, sacrificial ceremonies, and Sichuan opera performances, demonstrating enduring cultural continuity. The site has been designated a county-level cultural heritage protection unit.

🚶 Travel Information

• Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00 (open year-round)
• Admission: Free
• Transportation: Take high-speed rail to Hejiang Station, then transfer to bus or taxi (about 15 minutes); alternatively, drive via the Yulu Expressway and exit at Hejiang.
• Recommended Visit Duration: 40–60 minutes
• Tips: The scenic riverside walking path beside the temple offers beautiful views. Ideal for combining a stroll along the riverbank with a quiet moment to experience the unique ambiance of “a city surrounded by water, water flowing through the city.”

🌿 Did You Know? The term “Chuanzhu” does not refer to a single deity but symbolizes a collective veneration of successive water-control heroes, with Li Bing at its core—reflecting ancient people’s reverence for nature and their admiration for engineering wisdom.