The historical background of Guangji Temple

Guangji Temple was first built in AD 628, the second year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty. After continuous development and expansion, by the Song Dynasty, Guangji Temple entered its heyday, covering a vast area and attracting many pilgrims. And because Hongdong at that time relied on the ancient post road, it connected to Youyan in the north, Qilu in the east, Qin and Shu in the south, and Helong in the west. In addition, the Guangji Temple courtyard was wide, which made it easy for the government to set up bureaus, gather immigrants, and issue Sichuan investment certificates. Therefore, when the immigrants were immigrating in the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court selected Guangji Temple as a centralized place, which is clearly recorded in the "Hongdong County Chronicle".