Lingyin Temple: Hangzhou's 1,700-Year-Old Buddhist Sanctuary
Lingyin Temple: Hangzhou's 1,700-Year-Old Buddhist Sanctuary
Why Visit Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple is one of China's most important Buddhist sites, founded in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The name means 'Temple of the Soul's Retreat,' and the setting lives up to it — the temple complex is nestled in a forested valley west of West Lake, surrounded by cliffs covered in ancient Buddhist carvings. The Feilai Feng Caves alone are worth the visit: over 330 rock carvings dating from the 10th to 14th centuries, including a laughing Maitreya Buddha that has become Hangzhou's most photographed stone sculpture. The temple itself is vast and prosperous, with gilded halls and towering Buddha statues.
Highlights You Cannot Miss
Feilai Feng Caves
'Peak That Flew Here.' Over 330 Buddhist rock carvings from the Five Dynasties to Yuan Dynasty carved into limestone cliffs.
Mahavira Hall
The main hall housing a 24-meter-tall gilded Buddha statue carved from camphor wood. One of the largest wooden Buddha statues in China.
Lingyin Temple Complex
Walk through multiple halls, each more impressive than the last, connected by corridors through bamboo groves.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Admission | 75 RMB |
| Hours | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Location | West of West Lake |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
How to Add to Your Itinerary
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