Dragon Mother Temple of Deqing County [Zhaoqing]

Longmu Temple (Dragon's Mother Temple), located at the foot of Wulong (Five Dragon) Mountain of Yuecheng Town and the cross of Yuecheng River and Xijiang River, is famous for the ambiance of tranquility.

The Temple has a history of more than 1000 years with incense never ceased. Legend says that the generous Longmu could help dissolve disasters and give protection, therefore the Temple attracts a lot of believers especially on Longmu's birthday on May 8 of lunar calendar and on Aug. 8 when Longmu became an immortal, there are always crowds of believers and worshippers.

According to legend, Longmu was a very kind and nice lady in the Qing Dynasty. One day she found a five-color egg along Xijiang River. The five small dragons came out of egg to bring rains and to protect local residents based on the order of Longmu. Longmu however was murdered young by a mean person. The five dragon in deep mourn became mountains and served the place of burying Longmu.

Longmu Temple was built around Qin and Hang Dynasties in memorial of Longmu. The latest renovation took 7 years to complete. The Temple combines the great craft arts from Quangdong and Quangxi, being ranked together with Guangzhou Chen's Family Ancestral Temple and Foshan Zumiao Temple as the three treasure of ancient architects of southern China.

Longmu had obtained official letters inscribed in stone tablet from several emperors. The Temple still preserves the imperial inscribed letter from the Emperor Hongwu of Ming Dynasty.

The unique architectural achievement of Longmu Temple lies in its foundation structure. Every time when Xijiang River has a flood, the flood water must reach Longmu Temper. What amazes people is that when the flood water retreats, the ground of the Temple is free of mud and every rain-soaked architecture maintains its original bright color.

Longmu Temple features highly valued artistic designs including gray-brick walls, gold-lacquered wood-carvings, carved stone pillars, ceramic sculptures on roof tops and wall paintings inside the temple.

The Shiji Pier of Xijiang River is the place where people put firecrackers. Passing after Stone Archway, visitors will pass by buildings of Shanmen Gate, Xiangting Pavilion, Main Hall, two Side Chambers, Zhuanglou Building, Palace Hall and Longmu Tomb. There is also an old tree hung with lots of red ribbons of people's wishes.

Telephone: 7619855
Address: Yuecheng Town, Deqing County, Zhaoqing

Price : 30 RMB

Transportation
Take bus from Zhaoqing Bus Station. Ticket fare costs 12 RMB per person and the bus trip takes around half an hour.