Emei Sacred Realm: Exploring the Mysteries of Shenshui Pavilion

Located in the mid-section of Mount Emei, Shengshui Zen Temple (formerly known as Shenshui Pavilion) is a thousand-year-old monastery hidden deep within a bamboo forest. Originally the villa of Ming Dynasty governor Wu Yongxian, it was later converted into a temple named "Shenshui An" due to the "Jade Liquid" sacred spring in its courtyard. The site still retains the charm of the Tang and Song dynasties. **Must-Experience Highlights**: ・**Sacred Spring Water**: The spring pool never dries up, offering cool and refreshing water in the summer and warm, spring-like water in the winter. Legend has it that drinking from the spring can cleanse one's worries. Emperor Kangxi once inscribed a couplet praising the Zen ambiance: "The bowl-washing spring warms at first, the incense-burning evening grows clearer." ・**Cliffside Stone Inscriptions**: The inscriptions on the Great Emei Rock feature Chen Tuan's cursive "Fortune and Longevity," Lü Dongbin's semi-cursive "Great Emei," and Zhang Jingxian's regular script "Sacred Water," showcasing calligraphy treasures spanning three dynasties. ・**Morning Bell at the Ancient Temple**: The dining hall opens in the early morning (6:30-7:00 AM, breakfast at 10 RMB per person), allowing visitors to chant scriptures with the monks and experience the solemn tranquility of this nunnery. **Tips**: It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Chunyang Hall to reach the temple. Wearing plain-colored clothing is recommended. On rainy days, the mist around the spring adds an ethereal charm—don’t forget to bring an oil-paper umbrella for memorable photos. This is not only a place for Buddhist worship but also a timeless gathering spot for literary and artistic minds. When the sound of the spring merges with the tolling bell, it feels as if you can hear the ancient echoes of Lü Dongbin and Chen Tuan discussing philosophy.