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Visit the temple and its ancient halls; admire the historic architecture and relics of the Weiyang School of Chan Buddhism; walk through the forested valley setting of Mount Yangshan/Mingyue Mountain; photograph the ancient ginkgo trees and the terraced-style mountain temple layout; enjoy a quiet moment of meditation or reflection in the tranquil mountain environment.
Located at the foot of Jiyun Peak on Mingyue Mountain, 23 kilometers south of Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, Yangshan Qiyin Temple is the ancestral temple of the Weiyang Sect, the first of the Five Schools and Seven Sects of Chinese Buddhism. The temple originated in the Tang Dynasty, reached its peak during the Song and Yuan Dynasties, and continued through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, nearly being destroyed by fire during the Daoguang reign of the late Qing Dynasty. The overall architectural style of the temple reflects that of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with granite slabs clad exteriors and gold brick floors indoors. The temple's layout is a freely staggered arrangement of levels, connected by corridors and verandas to create a closed space.
Yichun has a warm climate, abundant sunshine, plentiful rainfall and a long frost-free period.
It is recommended to play for two hours
Yangshan Qiyin Zen Temple was founded in the Huichang period of the Tang Dynasty (around 842–845 AD) in the deep valley of Yangshan in the hinterland of Mount Mingyue, Yichun. It is the ancestral temple of the Weiyang (Guiyang) School of Chan Buddhism — one of the “Five Houses” of Chan. In its heyday it held significant influence, with many buildings, monks, and visits by literati; today it retains cultural and religious significance in Jiangxi.
The temple is located in Yangshan Village (仰山村), Hongjiang Township (洪江乡), Yuanzhou District (袁州区), Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, China. From Yichun city centre or nearby towns: you can take a taxi or ride-hail (recommended since mountain roads) — for example it is about 30 km from Yichun station to the temple. There are also long-distance buses running from Yichun West Bus Station toward Dongnan or nearby villages, then a walk of ~1 km uphill to the temple.
Opening hours: about 8:00-17:00 (all year round) as reported. The best times to visit are early morning (for peace and soft light) or during off-peak times (weekday rather than holiday) to enjoy the tranquil mountain setting.
According to available sources the entrance fee is free. No special advance ticket purchase appears to be required; entry is via the normal temple access.
Since entry is free and no formal ticketing appears necessary for general visitation, advance booking is *not* required. However if you plan to join meditation retreats, lodging or temple-hosted vegetarian meals, contact the temple in advance.
Allow around 1.5 to 3 hours to explore the temple grounds, main hall and surroundings at a comfortable pace. If combining with a hike or exploring the mountain area, allow half a day or more.
I did not find reliable information about free guided tours or audio guides in English. Visitors generally explore independently. If you need a guide you may hire a local guide in Chinese.
The temple’s elevated position in the valley offers good photography of the terraced layout of buildings against forested hillside. The giant ginkgo trees provide striking foregrounds. Also the mountain road leading to the temple offers scenic views. Visit in the morning or afternoon when light is favourable.
Start at the entrance gate/parking drop-off, then ascend to the temple’s main halls, explore the central courtyard and ginkgo trees, then wander around the side paths looking at the terraces and hillside setting. If time allows, explore a short trail in the surrounding valley forest. Conclude with reflection in the main hall before exiting.
There is no mention of night-time light shows or special tours. Since it is a mountain temple setting, visiting in daylight is advisable.
The temple is less commercial and more tranquil compared to major tourist hotspots. The least crowded times are weekday mornings, outside major Chinese holidays. Avoid peak Chinese national holiday periods for more serenity.
Basic visitor facilities such as rest areas, toilets and small vendor stalls (incense, small souvenirs) are mentioned in visitor reviews. Note that mountain roads and some uphill walking are involved, so bring water and snacks if needed.
While the main temple area is accessible, the location on a mountain road and some uphill walking mean visitors with limited mobility may face difficulties. Elderly and children can visit with care; disabled access may be limited.
No admission fee is required, so main entry is free. For any purchases (incense, small items) it is common in China that mobile payments (WeChat Pay/Alipay) are accepted; having some cash is still wise in more remote settings.
Nearby culinary options are located in Wentang Town or nearby villages; visitors report small stalls at the temple entrance for incense and snacks.
As a Buddhist temple, vegetarian meals *may* be offered (especially if staying/retreating), but no detailed listing is available. For halal options you may need to inquire locally.
You can find hotels in the nearby Wentang Town or in Yichun city centre; for the most convenient access to the temple and surrounding scenic area, choose accommodation in Wenshang/Wentang area of the Mount Mingyue scenic region.
Yes — the temple is within the broader Mingyue Mountain scenic area which offers hot springs, waterfalls, plank-roads and alpine lakes. You could combine a visit to Yangshan Qiyin Zen Temple with a hike, hot spring bath, or other natural scenery nearby.
Small souvenir shops near the entrance sell incense, small Buddhist-themed items, postcards; you may also find local specialty snacks in the nearby scenic area.
After your visit you can take a taxi or ride-hail back to Yichun city centre or Wentang Town. If you want to explore more of the scenic area, you might continue by local bus or private car to other parts of the Mingyue Mountain area. Long-distance buses or trains from Yichun connect you to other regions of Jiangxi.
