China’s Most Famous Temples

As a country with long history, there are many famous ancient temples in China. Temple is one of the Buddhist buildings. Temple is the symbol of the long history and culture of China. Temples occurred because Buddhism was introduced into China. Temples are the best places for the Buddhist believers to visit and worship. As for the tourists, temples are good places to experience the Buddhist culture and worship. Some temples are with picturesque scenery, some temples are majestic, some temples are mysterious and some temples are deep and quiet.

The Lama Temple, Beijing

The Lama Temple is located in 12 Yonghegong Ave, Dongcheng, Beijing, China. It is the largest Gelugpa temple of Tibetan Buddhism in Beijing. In 1694, the Lama Temple was used to a mansion of the son of the Kangxi Emperor. In 1725, the Lama Temple was changed to the palace of the Yongzheng Emperor. In 1744, it was changed to a royal temple. The Lama Temple is a religious activities site, museum and attraction, which attracts tourists and believers all over the world.

The Lama Temple is a complete architectural complex of Buddhist academy. The Lama Temple is typical layout of Buddhist temples in China, which has 7 kinds of buildings with different uses. The layout of temples is almost the same with that of traditional quardrangle dwellings in China. Covering an area of 66,400 square meters, there are more than a thousand halls and temples.

At the Lama Temple, tourists can visit the historical relics of Buddhism including Thang-ga, Buddhas and musical instruments. Many young people in China like to burn incense and worship in the Lama Temple because it is said that the Lama Temple is very effective. People make wishes for health, peace, study and career.

the Lama Temple

South Putuo Temple, Xiamen

South Putuo Temple is located in 515 South Siming Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, China. Near the Xiamen University, South Ptutuo Temple is situated in front of the Wulao Mountain. South Putuo Temple was first built in Tang Dynasty, and was destroyed in Yuan Dynasty. Rebuilt in Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed again in Qing Dynasty. In 1683, it was rebuilt.

South Putuo Temple has the layout of 3 halls and 7 buildings in Buddhist temples. The main hall enshrines Avalokitesvara, Amitabha and Mahasthamaprapta, which are called the Three Saints of the West.

At the South Putuo Temple, tourists can admire the buildings of this millenarian temple. Also, visitors can feel the Buddhist culture here. Most visitors comes here to burn incense and worship, hoping their wishes come true. And the scenery of South Putuo Temple is really picturesque.

South Putuo Temple

Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple is located in the west of the West Lake. It is situated between the Feilai Mountain and Beigao Mountain. Built in 326 AD, Lingyin Temple is one of the most famed temples in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It has a history of more than 1600 years. Covering an area of more than 80,000 square meters, Lingyin Temple is one of the largest temples of China.

Lingyin Temple has treasured Buddhism cultural heritages like statues of Buddha, musical instruments, stone pillar with Buddhist inscriptions, imperial monuments, calligraphy and paintings. With its unique Buddhist culture, magnificent buildings and picturesque scenery, Lingyin Temple attracts millions of tourists from home and abroad every year.

At Lingyin Temple, tourists can burn incense and worship. Everyone can hope a good result on his or her study, work or life.

Lingyin Temple

White Horse Temple, Luoyang

White Horse Temple is located in 6 Luobai Rd, Luolong District, Luoyang, Henan, China. It is one of the oldest and most famous temples in China. Built in 68 AD, White Horse Temple has a history of nearly 2,000 years. The White Horse Temple is the first ancient temple in China.

The White Horse Temple is an international temple, which introduced Buddhism into Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. It is a holy place for the Buddhist believers to visit. The buildings in the White Horse Temple has the construction styles of China, India, Thailand and Myanmar. It is the only temple to have the construction styles of 4 countries.

At the White Horse Temple, visitors can see the dagoba, where enshrines sarira. Tourists can visit the eighteen arhats in the White Horse Temple. Tourists can feel the Buddhist culture here by listening to the introduction of the White Horse Temple. And you should not miss burning incense and worship here.

White Horse Temple

Shaolin Temple, Zhengzhou

Shaolin Temple is located in Dengfeng Blvd, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Built in 495, Shaolin Temple has a history of more than 1,500 years. Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Chinese Kungfu. Covering an area of 57,600 square meters, Shaolin Temple is World Cultural Heritage. The layout of Shaolin Temple is typical construction style of Buddhist temples with 7 buildings.

Near the Shaolin Temple, there is the largest forest of pagodas in China, under which the monks and head monks of the past dynasties were buried. At the Shaolin Temple, visitors can see the stone tablets.

Shaolin Temple

Hanshan Temple, Suzhou

Hanshan Temple is located in the Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It was first built in 502 AD, and was destroyed for several times. The existing temple was rebuilt in Qing Dynasty. Covering an area of 13,000 square meters, the Hanshan Temple is one of the most famous temples in China. The Hanshan Temple got it fame because the poetry written by Zhang Ji.

At the Hanshan Temple, tourists can visit the stone carvings, statues and inscription on the tablets. If you want to get a good result of somethings with yourself, you can burn incense and worship at the Hanshan Temple. And the sound from the Bell Tower is very famous because of the poetry. People will gather at the Hanshan Temple to listen to the 108 times of the sound of the bell to pray for peace, luck and happiness.

Hanshan Temple

Jiming Temple, Nanjing

Jiming Temple is located in the Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples and royal temples in Nanjing. First built in 300 AD, Jiming Temple has a history of more than 1,700 years. During the Southern Dynasties(420-589), the Jiming Temple was the Buddhist center. It is the top 1 temple among the hundreds of temple in the Southern Dynasties.

At the Jiming Temple, visitors can feel the Buddhist culture. The Jiming Temple is close to the Jiuhua Mountain and Xuanwu Lake. Climbing to the top of the pagoda, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the lakes and mountains of Nanjing, the ancient capital of 6 dynasties.

Jiming Temple

Qixia Temple, Nanjing

Qixia Temple is located in the Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. First built in 484 AD, the Qixia Temple has a history of more than 1,500 years. In the Qing Dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor stayed at the Qixia Temple for 5 times. The Qixia Temple was magnificent and on a heroic scale at that time.

The best time to visit Qixia Temple is the late autumn to visit the red maple leaves. At the Qixia Temple you can visit the Qianfoyan. There are more than 500 grottoes on the cliffs of the rocks. The statues of the Buddhas are exquisite and spectacular.

Qixia Temple