Guoqing Temple

Guoqing Temple, located 3 kilometers north of Tiantai County, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, is the ancestral home of the Tiantai Sect in China and a must-see attraction for visitors to Tiantai. Built during the Sui Dynasty, Guoqing Temple was designed by the founder of the Tiantai Sect, Master Zhizhe. Its entrance is strikingly modest. Passing a stone bridge, the "Fenggan Bridge," and a screen wall depicting the "Sui Dynasty Ancient Temple," a small gate to the right of the screen wall leads to the temple entrance, with a horizontal plaque inscribed with "Guoqing Lecture Temple." The temple grounds are dotted with towering ancient trees, including Sui Dynasty plum trees, Tang Dynasty camphor trees, Song Dynasty vines, imperial stele from Emperor Qianlong, and calligraphy by Dong Qichang, all of which are truly remarkable. Every open space and path is lined with bonsai of various sizes, meticulously maintained. Homegrown rice is drying in the open space in front of the main hall, and monks and lay Buddhists are busy working. In today's materialistic and money-obsessed world, Guoqing Temple still preserves the tranquility and selflessness of Buddhism. Even more precious is the fact that these well-preserved historical relics are free of charge. One can't help but exclaim: Guoqing Temple is truly a Buddhist temple!

The rice grown by the monks at Guoqing Temple is being turned and dried. It's said that the vegetarian food at Guoqing Temple is also grown by the monks themselves, and was even featured on A Bite of China. Unfortunately, we missed the meal and couldn't enjoy it.

I really like this place. It's aloof but not aloof. It's full of history, yet also full of life. There's no commercial atmosphere at all. There's a Zen room where pilgrims can drink tea and discuss sutras for free.

Driving up at night, I first saw a small, old temple, completely lacking the grandeur of a 5A scenic spot. But the next day, a closer look revealed stunning scenery everywhere, each with its own unique charm. I lingered there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission was free, and the vegetarian lunch was 2 yuan per person for four dishes and one rice. Pu'er tea was free at the teahouse, and there were no incense or fortune-telling reminders. The two of us spent a total of 4 yuan for the day. There was no commercial atmosphere at all, and we truly felt the pure atmosphere of Buddhism. Guoqing Temple is also the only temple that made me feel close to Buddhism. I decided to stay another day to savor the vegetarian meal that appeared on "A Bite of China" again.

Guoqing Temple is free, which I highly commend. It's truly rare! Especially since Guoqing Temple is filled with national treasures (see below for the reasons), elevating its level of quality and appeal to a truly extraordinary attraction. In a world where local separatist forces, like vampires, are seizing public resources like historical and cultural buildings, natural beauty, and even traditional folk customs, all belonging to the entire nation, charging exorbitant entrance fees, using them as tools to amass wealth and boost local revenue, Guoqing Temple is offering free admission. I can only describe it as "strong." How long will you stick with it? There's nothing wrong with charging a modest fee. After all, scenic spots have basic operating and maintenance costs. Yet, ours often charge over a hundred yuan, or even several hundred yuan. How shameless! Every time I travel, entrance fees make up the majority of my expenses. I've visited many places abroad, and others charge nominal entrance fees, or charge less for local residents and more for foreigners. The US National Park Pricing Guide stipulates that all national park entrance fees cannot exceed $20. Many of the largest national parks in the US maintain a uniform price of around $20. For example, Yellowstone National Park admission costs $25 per car for a drive-in, and $25 for an annual pass, with unlimited entries. (Don't be foolish and calculate the exchange rate; consider purchasing power. If you calculate the exchange rate, consider both ends. You also need to convert their salary into RMB and then examine the proportion of other people's ticket prices to their salaries.)

Alas! If Xu Xiake were to retrace his steps today, he would probably be so poor that he would have to pawn his underwear.

Finally, I want to advise those who are shouting, scrambling, and posing for photos with their friends in temples: You're being given free time, so be grateful! You need to behave like human beings. This is a sacred place for Buddhism, so keep it quiet! Do you understand?

This attraction is a national first: admission is waived (previously 5 yuan per person). Inside and outside the temple, there are many tall pines and giant camphor trees. Surrounded by five peaks and swirling streams, the scenery is tranquil and beautiful. Different corners of the temple offer unique architectural features, each offering its own unique charm. It was noon, so we went to the dining hall for a vegetarian meal, only 2 yuan per person. The weather was still overcast, but the entire temple was hushed and silent, giving us a sense of history, as if time had stopped. It was a refreshing experience for both body and soul.

This thousand-year-old temple is perfect for quiet contemplation and free admission. It's best to go when it opens at 7 p.m., when there are only a few tourists and busy monks. It's also a great place to bring children to experience Buddhist culture. Burn incense and rejoice, but be careful not to take photos inside the main hall!

📍Guoqing Temple, the birthplace of Tiantai Sect, one of the eight major sects of Chinese Buddhism

Tiantai Mountain, home to Tiantai Temple, is located in Tiantai County. The temple's history dates back to 598 AD during the Sui Dynasty. It was later renamed Guoqing Temple, inspired by the saying, "If the temple is completed, the country will be peaceful." The sect's influence extends far and wide, particularly in Japan. Japanese monk Saicho traveled to Tiantai Mountain to study Buddhism, and upon returning, he founded the Tendai sect on Mount Hiei. Along with Jinan Lingyan Temple, Nanjing Qixia Temple, and Dangyang Yuquan Temple, Tiantai Mountain is considered one of China's Four Wonders of the World. Tiantai Mountain is a national 5A-level scenic area, and the summer rain and fog create a tranquil atmosphere. Lush, century-old trees shade Guoqing Temple.

Over 1,400 years ago, Master Zhizhe founded the Tiantai Sect, the first Sinicized Chinese Buddhism, on Mount Tiantai. This sect directly influenced the development of Buddhism in Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Taizhou Guoqing Temple is a historic and cultural site. Many ancient and modern literati, including Meng Haoran and Li Bai, have left their calligraphy here.

The temple boasts a 1,300-year-old plum blossom, the Sui Pagoda, one of the tallest ancient pagodas in Zhejiang Province, the Bao'en Pagoda, built with a 10 million yen donation from Japanese believers, and an inscription carved during Emperor Qianlong's trip to the south of the Yangtze River. The temple's buildings, including the Guanyin Hall, Arhat Hall, mountain gate, screen wall, Maitreya Hall, and Medicine Buddha Hall, particularly those rebuilt from the early Qing Dynasty, are official-style structures. The Maitreya Hall and Yuhua Hall have single-eaved hip roofs, while the Main Hall has a double-eaved hip roof. The Three Saints Hall, Arhat Hall, and Zen Hall are typical southern halls.

💰Free

🅿️You can park at the entrance of the scenic area, or drive in. The scenic shuttle bus costs 2 yuan per person one way.

⚠️Aerial photography is prohibited directly above the temple. Be careful as it can be slippery on rainy days! Hats must be removed when entering the temple.

👍It is recommended to play for 2 hours, suitable for all seasons.

The ancestral temple of Tiantai Sect, a famous temple in China and East Asia, is a place of quiet retreat far away from the smell of money, a true Buddhist country,

The thousand-year-old temple that you must visit when you go to Tiantai Mountain is full of the sedimentation of time and simplicity.

The temple is devoid of any commercial atmosphere. It's very simple. The temple still grows its own rice, and we were there just as they were drying the rice.

It's great. It's really a thousand-year-old temple, quiet and full of life.

As one of the four major Buddhist forests, it is naturally a place worth visiting.

Guoqing Temple is very suitable for visiting in the early morning. There are too many people at noon, which is not suitable for quietly savoring the tranquility and history there.

Be sure to walk slowly, you will have a very calming experience

This is a very conscientious scenic spot. The ancient temple of the Sui Dynasty is free of charge, which is rare in China. In addition, when it is time to eat, you can eat vegetarian meals in the temple for two yuan, which is worth the experience.

If the temple is completed, the country will be peaceful.



I went there in early spring, and the plum blossoms and rapeseed flowers around the temple were in bloom.

A famous temple from the Sui Dynasty, the ancestral home of the Tiantai Sect. Once you enter the temple, you will feel calm.

A 5A-rated scenic spot with no entrance fee is a real plus! The scenery around Guoqing Temple is stunning, especially near Fenggan Bridge. There's also the Sui Pagoda, the Seven Buddha Pagoda, the Green Ridge Trail, and more. If you're in town for lunch, be sure to try the vegetarian food at Guoqing Temple. All ingredients are fresh, grown by the monks themselves, and it's only 2 yuan.

The ancient temple of the Sui Dynasty was very popular, and people could be seen everywhere carrying gold ingots.

I love Guoqing Temple so much. The entrance fee used to be only five yuan, but now it's free.

The area is quiet and peaceful with few people. The entire scenic area is beautiful, surrounded by a valley that still shimmers with vibrant colors even in summer. It boasts a rich history, with many preserved historical sites, perfect for a leisurely and thoughtful visit. The temple is also home to numerous attractions scattered around it, such as the Sui Dynasty Pagoda. The entire Daguoqing Temple area warrants a full day to fully appreciate, so don't just visit one temple. Be sure to explore the entire Daguoqing Temple area as a whole.

The National Day event is quite famous. It's famous because it's part of a scenic spot in Wuwei. Initially, they sold tickets, but the price was very low, just ten yuan. However, in recent years, they've stopped charging admission and are now completely free, which is a great thing.

Because National Day is a special time for architecture, many students come here to sketch and paint. So basically there are students painting in every corner, which has become a landscape of Taizhou Guoqing Temple.

Walking through the courtyards, the temple looks different from every angle. The pillars are wrapped in bamboo mats, a unique feature of Taizhou Guoqing Temple. Because the sun is so strong here, the paint on the pillars is easily damaged, so they are wrapped in bamboo mats.

Taizhou Guoqing is also a temple for 500 Arhats, so there are 500 Arhats enshrined here. These Arhats are made of red sandalwood and hardwood, and are very lifelike.

The Sui Dynasty temples and pagodas boast a long history, making them among the most ancient in China. Nestled amidst verdant mountains, clear waters, and dense forests, it's a truly tranquil spot. As the ancestral home of Japan's Tendai sect, do Chinese visitors feel a sense of superiority?

The birthplace of Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism and the place where Jigong became a monk, highly recommended!

The thousand-year-old temple has unique scenery.

Under the flower-shaped window, I recite day and night.

Guoqing Temple in Tiantai, Zhejiang Province, is recognized by followers of the Tiantai School of Buddhism in China and Japan as the birthplace of the Tiantai School. Along with Lingyan Temple in Jinan, Qixia Temple in Nanjing, and Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, it is considered one of the "Four Wonders of the World." While many temples in China are becoming entangled in the world of profiteering, Guoqing Temple remains committed to its traditional principles of purity: it only accepts 5-yuan coupons for incense and flowers.

The famous Guoqing Temple, the ancestral home of Tiantai Sect, has an ancient and heavy temple atmosphere that you can feel right at the entrance.

Guoqing Temple offers free admission, a feat unavailable elsewhere. A visit lasts approximately 1-2 hours. Nestled against the mountainside, the temple requires a few steps to climb. Inside, you'll find towering ancient trees and well-preserved architecture. It's a sight worth seeing compared to other attractions in China where tickets cost over 100 yuan.

The fairy-like lotus flowers, the gurgling stream under the well, the little turtles on the bamboo boards, and the delicate carvings on the stone corridors make it a beautiful place worth visiting.

Guoqing Temple is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air in the Chinese Buddhist community!

Take bus No. 5 to Guoqing Scenic Area, and walk for at least 10 minutes to reach Guoqing Temple after getting off the bus.

I'm not a Buddhist! I just went there as a tourist! It's no different from the temple next door to my house! I personally don't think it's worth a visit! If you live nearby! It's nice to bring your kids to play in the stream in front of the temple in the summer! The 5A-level scenic spot can only be said to be because it is the ancestral home of the Japanese and Koreans! That's why it's closed to 5a! But it's a conscientious scenic spot! There is no entrance fee! Parking is free! The scenery is really average.

Only Guoqing Temple is free here. The temple is very spiritual and the scenery is beautiful, but the door is a bit broken and hard to recognize. It is best to go to Guoqing Temple in the morning❤

The ancient temple of the Sui Dynasty has a long history and a quiet environment.

Guoqing Temple is nestled against a mountainside. Walking along a winding, clear stream, one's heart naturally calms. Passing the Sui Dynasty Pagoda, Hanshi Pavilion, Fenggan Bridge, and the ancient Sui Dynasty screen wall, one arrives at the mountain gate. Guoqing Temple faces south, but the mountain gate faces east. Next to the Main Hall is a plum pavilion, and across from it, a thousand-year-old plum tree stands in the flowerbed. Legend has it that the Sui Dynasty plum tree was planted by the Fifth Patriarch of the Tiantai Sect when the temple was first built during the Sui Dynasty. It once nearly withered, but then revived. It's one of the oldest plum trees in China. Ascending the steps and looking back, one can see the ancient Sui Dynasty pagoda and the temple in perfect harmony. To the west of the Guanyin Hall stands the Baoen Pagoda, symbolizing gratitude and repaying kindness. The five hundred arhats in the Arhat Hall are the most lifelike I've ever seen, and walking through them brings joy to the heart. Two tourists asked the monk on duty for water. After receiving the thermos, they said they were running low. The monk asked, "Do you have enough?" "We have enough, but if we leave, you'll have nothing to drink." The monk's response touched me deeply. "As long as you have enough, don't worry about me." His simple words and unadorned robes made me feel at home. The temple lacked ornate decorations; the mottled walls, set against the backdrop of towering ancient trees, seemed even more tranquil and rustic. The temple's release pond, named "Fish Joy Land," was a work by Dong Qichang. Two hours passed quickly, and I was reluctant to leave, though the temple closed at 4 p.m.

The Tiantai culture is profound and extensive, with its Buddhist and Taoist roots. The buildings are unique and the vegetation is distinctive...

The Royal Temple is also the birthplace of the Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism, so many believers from Japan and South Korea come here every year. There is a plum tree from the Sui Dynasty that is more than 1,400 years old, which blooms and bears fruit every year, and there is also a calligraphy of "Goose" by Wang Xizhi.

Ancient style, pure and natural; it seems to purify the heart

The temple environment is particularly good. It is very quiet and beautiful. There are thousand-year-old trees everywhere. Parking and tickets are all free.

As long as it's not a holiday and there are not many people, I regret not bringing a camera

A few photos taken with a mobile phone still can't block the temperament of the thousand-year-old temple

Midsummer is especially wonderful, with towering trees lush and verdant both inside and outside the temple. I'd researched it on Baidu before going, and it boasts a long history and profound influence on the development of Tiantai Buddhism. I'm not familiar with Buddhist culture, so I won't chime in. As a tourist, I only saw the bustling crowds of monks and the vibrant incense. The grand halls, the eaves, the incense burners, the lotuses, the stream, the trees—even amidst the scorching sun and the bustling crowds, I felt a distinct coolness, a refreshing coolness that came from within.

Guoqing Temple is a rare free scenic spot during the Spring Festival, with ancient trees everywhere. The temple is still operating normally, providing free vegetarian meals to guests who perform rituals and morning prayers, but it is not sold to the public.

The thousand-year-old Guoqing Temple,

It was first built in the Sui Dynasty and is the birthplace of the Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism.

It is built on the mountainside, with layers rising higher and higher, and has more than 600 ancient buildings. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot!

There is almost no commercial atmosphere, please come voluntarily, especially like it!

The Sui plum tree in the temple has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is one of the three oldest plum trees in China and is still blooming vigorously!

This trip left a very good impression, but it was very difficult to take photos during the Chinese New Year. There were so many people everywhere that there was no place to stand. I will come back next time to experience it more fully!

I've long admired the fame and beauty of Guoqing Temple, and this trip finally took place. On my first day at Tiantai, a heavy snow fell. The snow made Guoqing Temple appear even more serene and solemn! It's still early for plum blossoms to bloom, but the buds on the branches have already sparsely opened, and the plum blossoms are already wilting. Meanwhile, the famous Sui Dynasty plum tree clings to the wall, a king of plum blossoms! Guoqing boasts three treasures: the Tang camphor tree, the Sui Dynasty plum tree, and the Song Dynasty vine. Each plant has endured the millennia-long transformation of the Cangsang, accompanying the rise and fall of Guoqing Temple. Not far from the temple stands an ancient Sui Dynasty pagoda, but its bricks and tiles are now broken, and plants have grown unchecked! But strolling through the temple, it feels like an old man who has experienced the vicissitudes of life, silently observing passersby and silently gazing at Guoqing Temple. I think this is also a technique of borrowing scenery in Jiangnan gardens! In short, the beauty of Guoqing requires slowing down and carefully experiencing it. The scenery is different every season!

Guoqing Temple is located in a very quiet place, and the temple is quite large. After all, it is a large temple. There will be no monks asking you for money in disguise, nor will there be monks asking you to draw lots or tell your fortune. Everything is up to fate.

The ancestral temple of Tiantai Sect, an ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty, is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It has many cultural relics and there is neither an entrance ticket nor an entrance ticket. Ancient trees are towering and streams flow in front of the temple. The incense in the temple is voluntary and the masters are amiable. If you salute them, they will return the greeting and bless you. Although it is not as large as some temples, it is very simple. I also drank tea in the temple, which is also free. It is said that there are vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 yuan, and accommodation is also available. The monks in the temple live a relatively simple life and even air conditioning is not installed. There is a private plot outside the temple where they grow and harvest food. The temple is filled with Buddhist chants, and your heart will immediately calm down when you enter. It is truly a paradise and a pure holy place.

Guoqing Temple is adjacent to an ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty. Walking through the entire area takes about two to three hours. The Sui Dynasty pagoda, built by Emperor Yang Guang, was unfortunately destroyed by fire, leaving only the pagoda core, which is now closed to visitors. Therefore, most tourists focus on Guoqing Temple.

The temple's abbot is very kind. For decades, he's only charged a 5-yuan entrance fee (according to a local tour guide), and maintains a balance between income and expenditure through rituals. The local tourism bureau repeatedly urged him to raise the entrance fee, but to no avail. A few years ago, the abbot completely eliminated the ticket office. To maintain revenue, the local tourism bureau opened a toll booth at the entrance and charged visitors a 10-yuan entrance fee. This demonstrates the temple's humanity, as drinking water is recycled from mountain springs. With the construction of the water tower, the wells have been converted into wishing wells.

It is quite quiet, with gurgling streams along the way and ancient trees entwined in front of the temple. It would be nice if there were no tour groups. The masters in the courtyard are still drying rice. It is still a very primitive picture. It does not have the grandeur of a palace. It really feels like an ancient temple in the mountains.

It was great. I went to Guoqing Temple during the National Day holiday. There was no entrance fee. Unlike other places with too much commercial atmosphere, it was very quiet.

A great place, not too crowded. Vegetarian meals are only 2 yuan, and now everything is free, including admission and parking. Worth a visit!

Magnificent, numerous cultural relics, Buddhist Zen, worth a visit

I left my number for the ticket seller on the long-distance bus from Tiantai North Bus Station to Shiliang, and she arranged a bus to Guoqing, also for 15 yuan per person. The ride from Shiliang to Guoqing took a little over half an hour.

It is a free attraction, but the tourist service center is very good. It is bright, clean, and provides hot water, WiFi, etc.

The driver of the scenic area's battery car long-distance bus said not to take it, it's only a 5-minute walk. There are farmlands on the side of this road, and the Sui Dynasty Pagoda is in front.

The temple is home to numerous small pine trees that are not afraid of people. The main hall features a Ming Dynasty bronze statue of Sakyamuni, a Yuan Dynasty golden nanmu statue of the Eighteen Arhats, a tripod made by Emperors Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty in front of the courtyard, and a white marble lion outside the Maitreya Hall. Other highlights include the Sui Dynasty plum blossoms, the staff spring, and the single-stroke goose-shaped stele.

The tour lasts about 2 hours

Renowned for its profound influence on Tendai Buddhism in Korea and Japan, it offers a completely free-from commercialism and materialism. With over 1,000 years of history, every tree and stone exudes an air of ancient simplicity. Its elegance is unmatched by the more recently renovated or expanded temples I've visited.

Guoqing Temple has been famous for a long time, and I've been dying to visit. The guidebook says it opens at 8:00 AM, but I'm afraid of the heat, so I arrived at 7:10 AM and had no trouble getting in. Backpackers can just walk from bus number 5, "Guoqing Scenic Area," to the temple. It's truly a bustling place, with the sounds of chickens and dogs mingling, and the fields surrounding the temple. Going early, there were only a few tourists, and the monks were busy with their daily routines. I've always been a bit intimidated by outsiders, so I kept my distance. But listening to their conversations—their Zhejiang dialect, their carrying baskets, and drying unknown plants—they felt just like locals, full of life. I didn't see them chanting or doing their homework today, though. It was early summer, and the courtyard was filled with blooming lotuses and magnolia trees, creating a quiet, elegant, and tranquil atmosphere. The mossy, thousand-year-old Sui Dynasty pagoda, nestled among ancient trees, is a perfect spot for photography, but I'm wary of disturbing the monks' quiet meditation and the temple's quaint atmosphere, so I decided to be more reserved. 😂

Tiantai Guoqing Temple, convenient transportation, direct bus to the city, Sui Pagoda, Sui Plum, Yibi Goose, many places were under repair when I went there, no entrance fee, incense and candles are voluntary, the scenery inside and outside the temple is nice

Guoqing Temple is quiet, free of charge, and has a long history. It is a good place to meditate...

A visit to Tiantai is a must-see for visitors to Guoqing Temple. The entrance fee to Guoqing Temple used to be 5 yuan, a price that has remained unchanged. It is now free. Zhiyue, a prominent monk from the Sui Dynasty, founded the Tiantai School of Buddhism at Guoqing Temple, making it the birthplace of the Tiantai School of Chinese Buddhism, with influences both domestically and internationally. Many believers from Japan and South Korea come to worship here. Guoqing Temple is exquisitely decorated, offering a tranquil environment filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers. It houses the Three Sages Hall and the Five Hundred Arhats. It is a must-visit for Buddhists seeking to immerse themselves in Buddhist culture.

As a thousand-year-old temple, it is not in vain. The incense is prosperous in the courtyard. Although people come and go, looking at the grass, trees and objects in the temple makes me feel very peaceful. It costs ten yuan to enter the scenic area and five yuan to enter Guoqing Temple. There are vegetarian meals in the courtyard for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ticket costs two yuan and you can also stay in the hotel.

Guoqing Temple, located 3 kilometers north of Tiantai City in Zhejiang Province, is the birthplace of the Tiantai School, my country's first Buddhist sect. Founded in the 18th year of the Kaihuang Emperor's reign during the Sui Dynasty, it boasts a history spanning over 1,400 years and is a treasure trove of history and culture. When discussing Guoqing Temple, one cannot fail to mention the founder of the Tiantai School, Master Zhizhe. Legend has it that when he traveled from Jiangling to Tiantai Mountain, he met a kind-looking old monk. He learned from his conversation that the monk, named Dingguang, was knowledgeable and highly skilled in Buddhist teachings. Zhizhe then became his disciple. While promoting Buddhism in Tiantai, he sought to build a new temple. Dingguang advised him to find a blessed site surrounded by mountains and water, and reminded him to remember the phrase, "If the temple is built, the country will be peaceful." Zhizhe asked why. Dingguang explained that in today's world, wars were rampant, and the people were suffering. If a temple was built, the country would be peaceful, and the people would live and work in peace. Zhizhe followed his master's advice and found this blessed land. He personally drew the design for the temple. Unfortunately, Zhizhe passed away just as the design was completed. His disciple gave him a blessing and fulfilled his wish, completing the temple, which was named "Guoqing Temple".

The most famous items in Guoqing Temple include the Millennium Sui Dynasty Plum Blossom, the Millennium Sui Dynasty Pagoda, the Goose-shaped Stele with Unique Brushstrokes, and Yule State. There are also treasures airdropped from the Forbidden City, including: a 13-ton Ming Dynasty bronze seated Sakyamuni statue in the Main Hall, the Yuan Dynasty nanmu Eighteen Arhats statues, the tripod made by Emperors Yongzheng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty in the courtyard, and two tall and majestic white marble lions outside the Maitreya Hall.

The 5 yuan ticket is a good price. Guoqing Temple has a long history and is highly recommended.

The thousand-year-old temple is surrounded by beautiful scenery and towering old trees. The entrance fee is ten yuan, and the entrance fee is five yuan. It's just not as grand as I imagined. Two hours is enough for us to visit. We didn't go up the mountain in the direction of Shiliang, perhaps because the scenery there is better.

Guoqing Temple, located 3 kilometers north of Tiantai City in Zhejiang Province, is the birthplace of the Tiantai Sect, my country's first Buddhist sect. Founded in the 18th year of the Kaihuang Emperor's reign in the Sui Dynasty, it boasts a history spanning over 1,400 years. Originally named Tiantai Temple, it was later renamed Guoqing Temple, inspired by the saying "If the temple is completed, the country will be peaceful." The temple covers 73,000 square meters and rises in layers along the mountainside, with over 600 ancient buildings arranged along four north-south axes. It is considered one of the four wonders of Chinese temples, along with Jinan Lingyan Temple, Nanjing Qixia Temple, and Dangyang Yuquan Temple. Admission is 5 yuan, a unique experience among China's many ancient temples. The temple is quaint and tranquil, with towering ancient trees, including one of China's oldest plum trees—the Sui plum tree. From the distance, you can admire the Sui Dynasty pagoda. The complex of ancient temples is so diverse that a full day of exploration is possible, or a quick tour can take two hours. The Guoqing Scenic Area offers numerous attractions, and a stroll along the plank path along the stream is truly a delight.

The temple is secluded and quiet, with beautiful scenery of mountains, rivers and countryside nearby.

The Guoqing Scenic Area, covering a total area of 2.1 square kilometers, is renowned both domestically and internationally for its Guoqing Temple. As the birthplace of the Tiantai School of Buddhism, it is also the ancestral home of the Tiantai School in Japan and South Korea, and holds a profound international influence.

As we all know, Buddhism originated in ancient India and spread widely in China after its introduction, gaining numerous followers and giving rise to numerous sects. The Tiantai School was the first of these sects to be developed based on local Chinese practices. Its founder, Zhiyi, a native of the Southern Dynasties, was revered as the Master Zhizhe for his Bodhisattva precepts to Yang Guang, Prince of Jin. Zhiyi was renowned for his eloquence and was widely regarded by Buddhist scholars as the Eastern Sakyamuni, enjoying a high status. In 575 AD, Master Zhizhe retreated to Mount Tiantai and established twelve temples there. Guoqing Temple, built by Yang Guang according to a blueprint drawn by Master Zhizhe and designed to meet the standards of an imperial monastery, boasts a history of over 1,400 years. For thousands of years, Guoqing Temple has maintained its original spiritual practices, emphasizing a balance between farming and meditation, integrating spiritual practice and physical labor as integral to daily spiritual practice. The mountains, forests, and fertile fields we see today all belong to Guoqing Temple.

The scenery is beautiful and the scenic area is very clean. There were not many people when I went there, so it was very quiet.

Deep breath, heavy Zen flavor, the sound and shadow of pedestrians

Standing on a high place and looking out at the misty Sui Tower, it is like a thick historical album, waiting for people to savor it carefully.

It was very good. I came here with my family and took a lot of photos. There was a chain view tour, which was very interesting with the sound.

Here is a picture of local snacks on the rooftop.

Be sure to do some research before going, otherwise it would be a pity if you don't recognize the Sui plum blossoms, the unique goose-shaped stele, the Sui tower, and the white marble lions.

It has a great reputation, but it does not have the smell of money. It is a quiet Buddhist temple. The management of the scenic area is also good, but the vehicle access management is a bit chaotic. Many vehicles with local license plates can enter and exit freely and drive a bit fast. There are always traffic police patrolling the scenic area to deal with illegally parked vehicles at any time.

It is recommended to avoid weekends and go there on a rainy day, which will definitely be wonderful.

This ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty is the birthplace of the Tiantai School. Its remote location means it's a sparsely populated destination, so taking a motorcycle taxi is highly recommended! It's truly a delight to weave through the long traffic jams. A car could take half an hour, and walking would take even longer. A motorcycle taxi, however, allows you to drive directly into the scenic area and reach the temple entrance. The temple itself is vast, half of it nestled on the mountain, making it a pleasant place to explore for a long time. With its growing fame, it's become increasingly crowded, but fortunately, it's not overcrowded. Visiting in Dongmo coincides with plum blossom season, which adds a touch of color and charm to the ancient temple. Tickets are a surprisingly low 5 yuan, and the monks are incredibly friendly. From certain angles, the view feels like a trip back to the Sui and Tang dynasties (see picture), a picturesque experience.

The greenery is lush and the air is fresh. There are still many people visiting this ancient temple, but the religious attractions are not very attractive to young people like us. The adults go to burn incense and worship Buddha, so we find a place to play by ourselves, such as climbing down to play in the water. The water is very clean and cool.

I love this place. There are large fields of rapeseed flowers along the road. The greenery is very nice, which is also a characteristic of South Africa. The ancient pagoda and temple echo each other. Both were built in the Sui Dynasty. It feels like one of the oldest pagodas and temples in China.

This is a scenic spot with unique features and beautiful scenery in Zhejiang. I have been there twice and I like it very much.

As a place for meditation, it is indeed very quiet. As it is a thousand-year-old temple, there are many relics to reminisce. In addition, the temple is built at the foot of the mountain, which is suitable for leisurely strolls and sightseeing.

Ancient temples and monasteries are the representatives of Taizhou tourism and a golden business card of Taizhou, which is worth a visit.

Guoqing Temple is an ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty. The entire Guoqing Scenic Area revolves around Guoqing Temple. The temple is simple and solemn, with towering ancient trees inside. It can be seen that it is very old. What left a particularly deep impression on me was the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats in Guoqing Temple. Remember to go and see it. It is highly recommended!

The most famous and well-preserved ancient temple in Taizhou is probably Guoqing Temple. The first time I went there was with my parents. I was still young at that time and didn’t have much impression. The second time I went there was last month. I took a group of photos there. It felt great. Walking on the gravel road that had just rained, listening to the monks chanting, my heart suddenly became quiet.