Published on : 11/07/2023
There is a line going viral recently on the internet of Mainland China, "Between going to work and going to school, I chose to go to temple." It is talking about the recent trend of Temple Tourism.
As a "Southeast Buddha Land", Hangzhou has naturally caused a stir. Many ancient temples have become the favourite travel destinations of "Buddha-style" youth.
Besides West Lake, which temples in Hangzhou are the travel hot spots?
Top 10 ancient temples in China with flourishing history
If you come to Hangzhou for a tour, in addition to the famous West Lake, you definitely can't miss another famous place: Lingyin Temple.
As one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China and one of the top 10 ancient temples in China, Lingyin Temple was founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has a history of nearly 1,700 years.
It is also the practice place of Monk Ji Gong during the Southern Song Dynasty. With high reputation, Lingyin Temple attracts a large number of devotees coming from far away every day.
Read more: Maojiabu of West Lake: the hidden gem in Hangzhou
Divided into Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, the Scenic Area of Lingyin Temple is actually very large. Visitors have to enter the scenic area of Feilai Peak first before reaching the temple.
There are a large number of Buddhist grotto statues from all ages in Feilai Peak, with more than 340 in total. In the Jiangnan region of China, such a magnificent group of grotto art is rarely seen, and its scale can even be comparable to the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing.
And in Lingyin Temple, you can explore the quiet beauty hidden in the mountains and the blends of strength and gentleness in Chinese classical architecture.
Read more: Discover 3 highlights of Hangzhou's cultural heritage through mobile game
Shangtianzhu Faxi Temple: the most effective place to seek marriage
When it comes to the trending destinations of temple-visiting in Hangzhou, the neighbouring Faxi Temple must be on the list.
Faxi Temple, also known as "Shang Tianzhu Temple", is located in Tianzhu Mountain in Hangzhou. It is one of the "Three Temples of Tianzhu" and is said to have been a bodhimaṇḍa of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva with a thousand-year history.
The Faxi Temple is surrounded by mountains, with a staggered layout of buildings. Looking back from a high place, the scenery is quite special, so it has become a hit on social media.
On the social media of China, you can often see the beautiful pictures of this temple.
In addition, it is said that praying for marriage in Faxi Temple is the most effective way. Single friends should not miss it!
There are two other temples on Tianzhu Mountain, namely Fajing Temple (法淨寺) and Fajing Temple (法鏡寺). Together with Faxi Temple, they are known as the "Three Temples of Tianzhu".
Compared with Faxi Temple, these two temples are more tranquil with fewer visitors, and the scenery is equally beautiful and spectacular. It is a good choice to escape from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the tranquillity.
Read more: Bath Goose Bay, a lesser-known scenic spot in Hangzhou by West Lake
Xiangji Temple, the only thousand-year copper temple worshiping "God of Cookery"
The last temple to introduce is in a special location. Instead of being hidden in the mountains and forests, it is located in the bustling centre of Hangzhou City, called Xiangji Temple.
Xiangji Temple was established during the Northern Song Dynasty, originally named "Yingfu Temple". In ancient times, it was the distribution centre for Lingyin and Tianzhu pilgrims.
It is the most famous temple in the Lakeside district of the Grand Canal and has a high status in Buddhism.
Unlike the temples in wooden structure with yellow walls and black tiles, Xiangji Temple is a bronze temple. The bell and drum towers and the main hall are made of copper. The entire building and even the nail heads under the eaves are wrapped in copper, making the temple look like a royal palace.
It's worth mentioning that Xiangji Temple is the only temple in the country that worships the "God of Food", Kinnara Bodhisattva, which is quite unique.
Read more: The "Golden Palace" hanging in mid-air
As the "Southeast Buddha Land", Hangzhou has much more than these temples, such as Yongfu Temple, Jingshan Temple , Jingci Temple, etc. are all worth visiting.
If you have the chance to travel to Hangzhou, why not include these temples in your destination list?
Travel Information
Lingyin Temple
Address: 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
Admission: 45 CNY (Feilai Peak); 30 CNY (Lingyin Temple)
Shangtianzhu Faxi Temple
Address: Meiling North Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
Admission: 10 CNY
Xiangji Temple
Address: 1 Xiangji Temple Lane, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Recommended visit time: 1 hour
Admission: 20 CNY
