This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
On Furong Mountain west of the river in Changsha, there is a Zhong Kui Temple, said to have been built by local people to thank Zhong Kui for driving away ghosts.
Zhong Kui is the deity in Chinese folk culture specifically for driving away ghosts, and he did exist in history. He was born in the Tang Dynasty and was one of the Five Talents of Lingling, Hunan. Because he was extremely ugly, he passed the imperial examination as a jinshi but was not employed by the emperor. The emperor said his appearance was so ugly that even ghosts feared him, and mocked him saying he could only be put in charge of ghosts.
Zhong Kui, full of ambition to serve the country, never expected that he could not enter officialdom because of his ugly appearance. So he began to travel throughout the world. But amazingly, wherever he traveled, there were no ghosts or spirits and all was peaceful. From then on, Zhong Kui's reputation for driving away ghosts began to spread throughout the world.
One day, Zhong Kui traveled to Changsha. When passing by Furong Mountain west of the river, he heard that a daughter in a certain household had been haunted by a ghost and was already at death's door. Zhong Kui immediately stayed and entered the house. The daughter's illness immediately healed. The family was very grateful and wanted to give him money and silk. Zhong Kui not only refused, but also gave the family a jade bat from his sword, telling them to hang it at home to drive away ghosts and suppress evil. To thank Zhong Kui and to ensure the peace of the area, the family built a temple for Zhong Kui and took the jade bat out of their home to enshrine in the temple. From then on, the people around Furong Mountain no longer feared ghosts. They believed that all ghosts in the world were under Zhong Kui's control and need not be feared.
