Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Temple, the Buddhist center of western Hunan

Located in Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Temple sits atop Tianmen Mountain at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters. As the highest-altitude Buddhist architectural complex in Hunan Province, it serves as the Buddhist center of western Hunan. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, the temple historically coexisted with Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It underwent seven renovations from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty to the Republican period before gradually declining due to prolonged disrepair. In 2002, the local government invested over 80 million yuan to reconstruct it on the original site. Spanning more than 20,000 square meters, the temple features Qing Dynasty official architectural style and comprises a mountain gate, bell and drum towers, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, and Scripture Depository. The Guanyin Pavilion is particularly exquisite, with its ingenious "two visible floors and three hidden floors" design, rivaling classical renowned towers. Blending nature and culture, the temple is surrounded by ancient towering trees and a seven-level pagoda nestled in the forest. With its open vistas overlooking surrounding mountains, it has earned titles like "Western Hunan's First Sacred Mountain" and "Buddhist Kingdom of the Celestial Realm." Historical figures such as Jin Yong inscribed "Tianmen Fairy Mountain" here, while singer Li Na once lived in seclusion at the temple and later became a Buddhist nun, adding to its cultural legacy. Today, Tianmen Mountain Temple is not only a sanctuary for meditation but also a tourist destination combining sightseeing and cultural experiences.