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Visit the main Zen temple halls for meditation, explore the surrounding gardens, attend a Zen tea ceremony, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere perfect for reflection and relaxation.
Located at the western foot of Dongya Mountain and east of Yingxian Bridge, Jiyuan Temple is the first of the four major Buddhist temples in Jiuhua Mountain (Jiyuan, Dongya, Baisui, and Ganlu). Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, it was called "Jishu Temple."
The temple comprises nine individual buildings, including the Lingguan Hall, Maitreya Hall, Main Hall, Guest Hall, Dining Hall, Storehouse, Retreat Hall, Abbot's Quarters, and Guangming Lecture Hall, covering a total area of 5,175 square meters. With the exception of the Maitreya Hall and Main Hall, which are palace-style structures, the rest are residential-style. The temple's buildings are layered and winding, with exquisite structure and a majestic aura. In front of the temple stands a corridor paved with over one hundred rectangular stone slabs, each bearing three equally spaced relief designs: on the left and right, round ancient coins appear like two strings of money; in the center, a square pattern resembles a scroll of a square painting. A blooming lotus appears every three steps. Other images include lotus flowers emerging from the water, dragonflies playing on lotus leaves, and frogs crouching beneath lotus stems, creating a lively and engaging scene. Lotus carvings are prevalent in Buddhist temple architecture, reflecting the monks' yearning for the ethereal, glazed world of the "Seven Treasures Lotus Pond."
Ancient coins pave the road, a rare sight in other temples. This originates from a story in Buddhist scriptures. Legend has it that when Shakyamuni was preaching in Magadha, he was converted to Buddhism by the elder Anāthāna of Savatthi. Intending to invite Shakyamuni to his homeland for a lecture, Anāthāna sought a beautiful garden for his monastery. The best garden at the time was owned by Prince Jeta of King Prasenajit, but Anāthāna willingly paid a large sum for it, paving the ground in gold. Later, Jeta, also a convert to Buddhism, offered the garden to Shakyamuni, inviting him to preach. The garden thus became known as the "Jetavana Grove" (Jetavana Grove), or simply "Jetānīya Vihara," bearing their respective names, and became one of Shakyamuni's sacred sites. The corridors of Jetavana Temple are inscribed with gold coins to symbolize Shakyamuni's sacred legacy.
Subtropical monsoon climate; Gion Zen Temple is the only palace-style temple in Jiuhua Mountain. It is the first of the "Four Major Monasteries (Gion, Dongya, Baisui, Ganlu)" in Jiuhua Mountain and is suitable for travel in all seasons.
Lingguan Hall, Maitreya Hall, and Mahavira Hall;
It is recommended to play for 1-3 hours
Included in the Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area ticket
06:30-17:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
The Gion Zen Temple is a spiritual center for Zen Buddhism in Anhui, known for its role in preserving Zen traditions and offering meditation and spiritual guidance to visitors and practitioners alike.
The Gion Zen Temple is located in Chizhou, Anhui. You can take a taxi from the city center or take local buses that connect to the temple.
The temple is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful visit.
The entrance is free, but donations are welcomed. Special events or exhibitions may require a ticket, which can be purchased on-site.
Generally, there is no need to book tickets in advance unless you are attending a special event or tour. For these, booking a few days in advance is recommended.
It takes about 2 to 3 hours to explore the temple and its peaceful surroundings, including the meditation areas and gardens.
The main Zen temple hall, the tranquil Zen garden, and the meditation rooms are the key highlights. The surrounding natural scenery is also worth appreciating.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin Chinese, and audio guides may be provided in other languages, depending on availability.
The best photography spots are from the temple's main hall and the Zen garden, which offer serene views of the surrounding nature.
Start by exploring the main hall, then take a walk through the garden, and end by visiting the meditation rooms for a quiet reflection.
Night visits or light shows are not available, but special Zen meditation sessions and tea ceremonies may be offered at specific times.
The temple can be crowded on weekends and public holidays. To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays, early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
The temple provides basic facilities such as toilets and rest areas. There is also a small gift shop offering Buddhist souvenirs.
The temple is partially accessible to elderly and disabled visitors, though some areas with stairs may be challenging. Children can enjoy the peaceful surroundings with supervision.
Cash is often preferred for donations, but mobile payments or cards may be accepted at the gift shop or for specific services.
There are small tea houses near the temple offering light snacks and tea, in line with the Zen tradition, though no large restaurants are inside the temple grounds.
Vegetarian options are available at nearby tea houses and small eateries, in line with Buddhist dietary practices.
There are several hotels in Chizhou, around 20-30 minutes away by taxi, ranging from budget options to mid-range hotels.
Other nearby attractions include Jiuhua Mountain and its Buddhist monasteries, which can easily be combined with a visit to the Gion Zen Temple for a day trip.
Yes, there is a small souvenir shop selling Buddhist-themed items such as incense, prayer beads, and small statues.
The best transportation options to continue your journey are taxis or local buses, which can take you to other attractions or back to your accommodation.
