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Nanjing, a city with a significant religious influence on China, was also the first sacred site in the Jiangnan region of ancient China to spread Buddhism. During the Xiaoliang Dynasty (502-527), Buddhism became the state religion and flourished unprecedentedly. In the Jiankang region of the capital alone, there were over 700 Buddhist temples. Du Mu's famous line, "Four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties, countless towers and pavilions shrouded in mist and rain," perfectly captures the flourishing Buddhist culture of Nanjing during the Southern Dynasties.
The discovery of two national treasures, the skull relic of Master Xuanzang in 1942 and the gilded seven-treasure Ashoka Stupa unearthed in 2008, further elevated Nanjing's Buddhist status to a central place. Today, as we revisit this once-popular metropolis, where else can we experience the splendor of Buddhism? We've compiled a list of 10 famous and mysterious Buddhist temples in Nanjing, as well as one of China's top Buddhist palaces, to help those interested better understand Nanjing's Buddhist history and culture.
Da Baoen Temple, located outside Zhonghuamen in Qinhuai District, Nanjing, is the oldest Buddhist temple in Chinese history. Its predecessor was the Jianchu Temple and Ashoka Stupa built during the Chiwu period of the Eastern Wu Dynasty (238-250 AD). It is the second temple in China after the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and the first Buddhist temple established in southern China, making it the center of Buddhism in China.
The Da Bao'en Temple was built by Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di in memory of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. It was rebuilt on the original site of Jianchu Temple in the tenth year of Emperor Yongle's reign (1412). The entire temple is made of glazed tiles, and there are 146 eternal lamps inside and outside the tower. From its construction to its destruction, it has always been the tallest building in China and a miracle in the history of world architecture. It is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the Middle Ages. It was regarded as a landmark building representing China by Westerners at that time. It has the reputation of "China's great antique and Yongle's great kiln ware" and is known as "the No. 1 tower in the world."
▲A Western-style painting of the glazed pagoda of Nanjing's Da Baoen Temple
▲Components of the glazed tower of Da Baoen Temple, now in the collection of the Nanjing Museum
In 2008, a large number of world-class cultural relics and sacred objects, including the world's only "Buddha's Skull Bone", "Relics of Inspiration", "Relics of Saints", and "Seven Treasures Ashoka Pagoda", were unearthed from the underground palace of Changgan Temple, the predecessor of Da Baoen Temple. It shocked the world and the Buddhist community. It is the highest-specification, largest-scale and best-preserved temple site in China.
▲The gilded seven-treasure Ashoka Pagoda, now in the collection of Nanjing Museum
In March 2014, the main structure of the Da Baoen Temple's lightweight protective pagoda was rebuilt. The nine-story pagoda is constructed of a lightweight steel structure and glass, with a glass curtain wall exterior. Modern audio-visual technology is used to interpret Buddhist culture and the past and present of Da Baoen Temple.
▲ Panoramic view of Da Baoen Temple today
Tips:
Tickets: Adults: 120 RMB, Students: 40 RMB
Opening hours: 09:00-17:30 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Bus: Take bus No. d18 to Dabaoen Temple Ruins Park (Jianchu Temple) stop and walk 210 meters to the destination
Subway: Take Nanjing Metro Line 1 to Zhonghuamen Station, then walk east along Yingtian Street for about 400 meters to Yuhua Road.
"Four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties, countless pavilions and towers shrouded in mist and rain." Chief among them is the ancient Jiming Temple, one of Nanjing's oldest Buddhist temples and, since ancient times, known as the "First Temple of the Southern Dynasties." Today, Jiming Temple remains as renowned as it was then. Every spring, the cherry blossom avenues lining the temple are known as Nanjing's most beautiful cherry blossom viewing destination.
The history of Jiming Temple can be traced back to the Qixuan Temple of the Eastern Wu Dynasty. The temple site was located in the rear garden of the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. In 300 AD (the first year of the Yongkang reign of the Western Jin Dynasty), a temple was built on the hillside, marking the beginning of the Taoist temple. After the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the area was designated as the Supreme Court Office. In 527 AD (the eighth year of the Common Era of the Southern Liang Dynasty), Emperor Wu of Liang built Tongtai Temple on Jimingdai, making it a true Buddhist destination.
In 1387 (the 20th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty), Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the demolition of the old buildings and the expansion and reconstruction of the temple. Zhu Yuanzhang inscribed the name "Jiming Temple." Later, during the Xuande, Chenghua, and Hongzhi reigns, the temple expanded to a grand scale, covering over 100 mu (approximately 166 acres). The ancient temple was later destroyed during the war of the Xianfeng reign. Although it was rebuilt during the Tongzhi reign, its scale was greatly reduced, but its popularity has remained strong.
Jiming Temple, an ancient temple, has weathered centuries of turmoil, experiencing destruction and then resurgence, its past deserted and its current flourishing. Now nestled amidst the skyscrapers of Nanjing, its ancient charm seems at odds with the urban fabric of today, yet Jiming Temple remains a beloved pilgrimage site.
The cherry blossoms at Jiming Temple are at their peak in late March and early April. A beautiful cherry blossom path stretches from Jiming Temple to Heping Gate, lined with cherry blossoms on both sides. The quaint Jiming Temple stands out against this backdrop, creating a particularly charming scene.
From the colorful sycamore trees in autumn to the cherry blossoms in spring, every season is perfect for a Zen journey. From Jiming Temple, you'll find Jiefang Gate, which leads you through to Xuanwu Lake. From there, you can admire this ancient temple from afar, strolling along the city walls or boating on the water.
Tips:
Tickets: General ticket: 10 RMB (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Opening hours: 07:30-17:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st to December 31st, opening hours are 5:00 on the first to fifteenth day of the lunar month)
Bus: Take Bus No. 1, 2, 3, 11, 20, 24, 31, 44, 48, 52, 67, 70, 140, or 304 to Jimingsi Station. Subway: Take Subway Line 3 to Jimingsi Station, walk west along Beijing East Road for about 200 meters, then walk north along Jimingsi Road for about 250 meters.
Qixia Temple is located on the west foot of the middle peak of Qixia Mountain in Qixia District, Nanjing City. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the Yangtze River to the north. It is one of the four famous temples in China, the birthplace of the Buddhist "Three Treatise School", and the Buddhist center of China during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. During the Southern Dynasties, it was as famous as Jiming Temple and Dingshan Temple.
Qixia Temple was first built in 489 AD during the Yongming reign of the Southern Qi Dynasty. Here, Senglang of the Liang Dynasty promoted the Three Treatises doctrine and is considered the founder of the Three Treatises School in Jiangnan. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian, built stupas in 83 prefectures, and his decree for the construction of stupas placed Qixia Temple in Jiangzhou first. During the Tang Dynasty, it was known as Gongde Temple, a vast temple considered one of the four great monasteries in China, along with Lingyan Temple in Changqing, Shandong, Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, Hubei, and Guoqing Temple in Tiantai, Zhejiang.
Qixia Temple, not only grand in scale and imposing in its halls, is also one of Nanjing's most scenic spots and renowned for its significant role in the history of Chinese Buddhism. Qixia Temple, one of the founding temples of the Three Treatise School of Chinese Buddhism, has weathered wars. Today, visitors to Qixia Mountain are more drawn to its vibrant crimson leaves. One of China's four top scenic spots for maple viewing, it was listed as one of the "Forty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jinling" during the Ming Dynasty, earning the reputation of "Qixia Mountain, half the history of Jinling." Historically, five kings and fourteen emperors visited Qixia Mountain, including Emperor Qianlong, who visited the mountain five times during his six trips south of the Yangtze River.
There are more than 80 historical sites in Qixia Temple, which are a collection of religious culture, imperial culture, folk culture, geological culture, stone carving culture, tea culture, etc. Among them, the Qixia Temple Relic Pagoda, Thousand Buddha Cliff Grottoes, and Wuliang Hall are famous, with a history of more than a thousand years.
Since the Ming Dynasty, there has been a saying that "Spring is in Niu Shou and Autumn is in Qixia". "Qixia Red Maple" is one of the forty scenic spots in New Jinling. There are large tracts of maple trees on Fengling on the west side of the mountain. It is the main attraction of Qixia Mountain to tourists and is one of the four major places for viewing maple leaves in China.
Today, visitors to Qixia Temple are increasingly drawn to the vibrant crimson leaves of Qixia Mountain. Qixia boasts a diverse variety of red leaves, particularly Liquidambar formosana, including red maple, Japanese maple, trident maple, feather maple, beech, and Pistacia. In late autumn, the mountains blanket in crimson, resembling a setting sun, a truly spectacular sight.
Tips:
Tickets: Weekday tickets 25 RMB / Red Maple Festival tickets 40 RMB (Monday-Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Opening hours: 07:00-17:30; Ticket sales end at 17:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Transportation: Take bus No. 326 to Qixia Station and walk 2,200 meters to Qixia Mountain
Located deep within the Zhongshan Scenic Area, Linggu Temple was first built in 514 AD. It was constructed as the "Kaishan Jingshe" by Emperor Wu of the Southern Liang Dynasty in memory of the renowned monk Baozhi. Originally named Kaishan Temple, it was later renamed "Linggu Zen Temple" by Zhu Yuanzhang during the Ming Dynasty, who bestowed upon it the title "Number One Zen Forest Under Heaven." It became one of the three great Buddhist temples of the Ming Dynasty. The "Jinling Buddhist Temple Records" lists it as a major temple alongside Da Baoen Temple and Tianjie Temple. The Ming Dynasty also placed 12 other Buddhist temples under the jurisdiction of Linggu Temple, including Qixia Temple and Dinglin Temple on Fangshan Mountain.
Linggu Temple boasts a free-living pond, the Vajra Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Wuliang Hall (also known as the Beamless Hall), the Wufang Hall, the Pilu Hall, and the Guanyin Pavilion. Behind the temple stands the Baogong Pagoda. The Xuanzang Memorial Hall houses a seated statue of Master Xuanzang, while the Xuanzang parietal bone memorial tower in front of the statue contains the relic of his parietal bone.
Linggu Pagoda—formerly known as the Memorial Pagoda for the Fallen Soldiers—is one of the main structures in the cemetery. It was built between 1931 and 1933. The tower was designed by renowned American architects Mao Fei and Dong Dayu. It stands approximately 60 meters tall, with nine stories and eight sides.
During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed the plaque "Linggu Zen Forest" when he visited Linggu Temple, along with a couplet: "Heavenly fragrance drifts through the spacious halls, mountain air settles in the empty corridors." Emperor Qianlong visited Linggu Temple on each of his six trips to the south of the Yangtze River, building a temporary palace there. He also composed poems, bestowed gifts, and personally inscribed the four characters "Pure Land Guide" on the Three Wonders Stele.
The Beamless Hall, the only remaining structure from the Ming Dynasty Linggu Temple, is named after the Buddha Amitabha enshrined within. Its brick and stone arch structure, devoid of wooden beams, earns it the nickname "Beamless Hall." Built in the 14th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (AD 138 AD), the Beamless Hall's structure departs from the traditional Chinese architectural tradition of combining beams and columns with a frame. The entire structure, devoid of beams and columns, is constructed entirely of brick, employing the construction techniques of ancient Chinese stone arch bridges.
Baogong Pagoda was built by Emperor Wu of Liang during the Southern Dynasties to house the relics of Monk Baozhi. Its construction cost 200,000 taels of silver. Later, when Zhu Yuanzhang built the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, he relocated the pagoda and temple there and renamed it Linggu Pagoda. The pagoda was originally five stories high, but unfortunately, the original structure has long since been destroyed. Monk Baozhi, a native of Dongyang, Qixia, Nanjing, became a monk at the age of seven and died in the 13th year of the Tianjian reign of the Liang Dynasty. He was one of Emperor Wu of Liang's most admired monks.
From early June to late July each year, Linggu Temple is one of the most popular temples in China. Many photographers and locals flock here to watch fireflies. In the dark night, groups of fireflies fly together, dotting the sky with a dazzling glow. It has become one of Nanjing's most beautiful summer scenery.
Tips:
Tickets: Regular ticket: RMB 35 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)
Opening hours: 06:30-18:00 (March 1st-November 30th) 07:00-17:30 (December 1st-February 28th)
Transportation: Take bus No. 202 to Linggu Temple Park Station and walk 810 meters to Linggu Temple
Qingliang Mountain, located within Qingliang Gate in Nanjing's Gulou District, is a hilly area west of the city. Its oval shape stretches from Hanzhong Gate to Dinghuai Gate. Over 100 meters high and approximately 4 kilometers in radius, it is home to Qingliang Mountain Park. Across Huju Road, Stone City echoes it from afar, creating a striking contrast between the majestic grandeur of one and the tranquility of the other.
▲Photo of Qingliang Zen Temple during the late Qing Dynasty. The current Qingliang Temple was rebuilt in April 2014
Nanjing's Qingliang Temple, originally built during the Southern Dynasties, is the birthplace of the Fayan School, one of the five schools of Zen Buddhism in Chinese Buddhism. Founded by the eminent monk Wenyi of the Southern Tang Dynasty, the Fayan School holds a high position and significance in the history of Chinese Buddhism, with influence reaching as far afield as Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, and possesses profound historical significance.
Qingliang Mountain is named after the temple. As the first temple of the Southern Tang Dynasty, the Qingliang Dadaochang during its heyday represents a significant example of Nanjing's traditional Buddhist culture, the elite culture of Qingliang Mountain, and the regional culture of Jinling.
Qingliang Mountain, formerly known as Shitou Mountain, Shishou Mountain, and Shitou City, sits in the western corner of Nanjing. Legend has it that Zhuge Liang once described Jinling's situation as "a tiger crouching and a dragon coiling," with the tiger crouching referring to present-day Qingliang Mountain. During the Warring States Period, King Wei of Chu established Jinling Prefecture here, and a city wall remained on the mountain, hence the name Shicheng Mountain. During the Three Kingdoms Period, the Eastern Wu rebuilt Shitou City, also known as Shitou Mountain. Another theory states that the mountain was not rocky from north of the Yangtze River until it first appeared here, hence the name. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the name was changed to Qingliang Mountain, a name that remains to this day.
"Non-duality" means non-duality, transcending all opposition. "Door" refers to the Dharma door, the path to Zen meditation and enlightenment. Red walls and green trees, in a quiet and secluded setting, evoke an ancient charm.
"Qingliangwenfo," one of the Forty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jinling, was an unprecedented spectacle. According to the "Jinling Scenic Spots Map" from the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, Qingliang Mountain, also known as Xiaojiuhua, was said to be the abode of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. From the first to the 30th day of the seventh lunar month, a constant stream of worshippers flocked to Qingliang Mountain. It is said that tea sheds, simply for pilgrims to rest, stretched from Dazhong Bridge to Qingliang Mountain. This bustling scene of traffic and people gave rise to the "Qingliangwenfo," one of the Forty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jinling, a scene still revered today. Southern Song poet Liu Kezhuang wrote in his poem about Qingliang Temple: "The pagoda and temple were once the most impressive in the area, with thousands of layers of gold and jade."
▲In autumn, go to Qingliang Mountain and climb up the small path in the mountain. The whole way is full of golden autumn colors.
In addition to the Qingliang Ancient Temple, Qingliangshan Park has the largest ginkgo forest in Nanjing. There are more than 300 ginkgo trees planted in the entire Ginkgo Valley. These ginkgo trees are about 60 years old, with an average height of 20 meters and a trunk diameter of about 50 centimeters.
▲In late autumn, the valley is covered with golden fallen leaves, and the stone benches and pavilions are also covered with a thick layer of leaves, which is gorgeous and ancient.
Tips:
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 06:00-18:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Transportation: Take bus No. 23 to Huju Road Qingliangshan Station and walk 40 meters to Qingliangshan
Youxi Temple, located at the southern foot of Zutang Mountain in Jiangning District, Nanjing, was first built in 459 AD during the third year of the Daming reign of the Liu Song Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties. It is a renowned early temple among the "480 temples of the Southern Dynasties," boasting a history of over 1,500 years. Zutang Mountain and Niu Shou Mountain appear to be connected, with layers of lush greenery. The main peak, like a lotus flower, towers into the sky. The southern slope is covered in a vast sea of bamboo and towering ancient trees, earning it the original name Youxi Mountain. In 459 AD, a temple was built on the site, named after the mountain itself.
▲Old photo of the ancient Youxi Temple
According to the "Jinling Buddhist Temple Records," the main halls within Zutang Temple during the Ming Dynasty included the Vajra Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Buddha Hall, the Thousand Buddha Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Huayan Hall, and the Water and Land Hall. With the exception of the Guanyin Hall, which had three bays, all the other halls had five bays. There was also a three-story, fifteen-bay Zen Hall, a two-story, ten-bay Dining Hall, a five-bay kitchen, and a teahouse. The temple grounds covered over 240 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of land, with over 500 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of farmland and ponds. During the Ming Dynasty, Youxi Temple also governed several smaller temples nearby. A beamless hall, corridors, and a bridge were built in front of the temple.
During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty (627-649), the monk Fa Rong entered Youxi Temple and founded the new school of Zen Buddhism, the Niutou School, also known as the Southern School. He became the first Zen master of the Southern School, and Youxi Temple was hailed as the Southern School's ancestral hall. Youxi Temple was renamed Zutang Mountain and later abandoned. Today, only some remains, such as the Crescent Moon Pond and the Patriarch's Cave.
Pilu Temple is located on Hanfu Street, Xuanwu District, Nanjing. It was built between 1522 and 1566. Because the temple enshrines Vairocana Buddha, it was originally named Pilu Temple. It is one of the famous temples in Jinling. During the Republic of China period, it became the center of Buddhism in the country. The Buddhist Association of China, the Chinese Buddhist Studies Association, the China Religious Fellowship Association, and the Capital Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine are all located here.
Pilu Temple, known as the "Golden Light Dharma Center," upholds the Golden Light Spirit, dignifies the nation, and promotes the holy teachings, making it a unique institution in the Buddhist capital of Nanjing. Pilu Temple, once home to the China Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, became a center for the study of Chinese Buddhism and traditional Chinese medicine. Its immeasurable influence on Chinese Buddhism, medicine, and culture remains a landmark symbol of the transition from traditional Chinese Buddhism to modernity.
In 1884, during the tenth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Zeng Guoquan, then serving as Governor-General of Liangjiang, summoned Haifeng to Nanjing to select a site for a temple. After consultation with Lianghong, they decided to build the temple on the site of the former Pilu Temple. Hunan Army generals donated substantial funds to construct the Main Hall, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Building, and the Sutra Library. The area surrounding the former Pilu Temple was expanded to encompass Qingxi River in the east, Dabei Lane in the west, Taiping Bridge in the north, and Hanfu Street in the south. The temple was subsequently renamed Pilu Temple, the largest in Nanjing. Abbot Haifeng, the founder of the Qushifang Dharma, was in charge of the temple. Abbots Jichan and Fangtian lived at the foot of Haifeng's temple.
Today, wandering through the incense-filled Pilu Temple, two ginkgo trees, said to have been planted by Zeng Guoquan himself, are laden with fruit, as if telling a story of centuries of karma and reincarnation. In the newly expanded Main Hall, the fragrant wood pillars, imported from Mount Nanyue, still emanate a delicate fragrance. Behind the hall, beneath two 300-year-old boxwood trees, the water from two ancient wells remains clear and sweet. Passing through the boxwood wells and ascending the steps, the three gilded characters "Wanfo Tower" gleam brilliantly amidst the eaves of the brackets.
The Sutra Library, located on the second floor of the Wanfo Building, houses this Qianlong Tripitaka. According to monks at the temple, the Tripitaka in Chinese history spans multiple periods and editions, with the most valuable being those from the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty and the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. The set housed at Nanjing's Pilu Temple is the Qing Dynasty edition of the Qianlong Taisho Tripitaka, comprising 168 volumes. Only 40 copies exist worldwide, making it incredibly valuable.
Tips:
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Opening hours: 7:30-17:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 to Xi'anmen Station (Exit 3), then walk 510 meters to Pilu Temple.
Dinglin Temple, located on Fangshan Hill in Nanjing's Jiangning District, boasts a history of over 1,500 years. It is a renowned temple in Jinling and one of the "Forty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jinling." Historically, Dinglin Temple was divided into two parts: the Upper Dinglin Temple and the Lower Dinglin Temple. The part on Fangshan Hill was the Lower Dinglin Temple.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, during the Southern Dynasties, the Indian Patriarch Bodhidharma, while staying in the imperial capital of Jiankang (Nanjing), held Buddhist ceremonies at Xiadinglin Temple. Historical sites such as the "Dharma Cliff" still remain on Fangshan Mountain, marking the spot where Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, sat in meditation. Consequently, there's a saying in Buddhist circles that "Dinglin Temple in the South is like Shaolin Temple in the North." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Xiadinglin Temple flourished, expanding in scale with the continued construction of additional temple buildings.
Dinglin Temple, according to historical records, records that after the Buddha's nirvana, two tooth relics survived. One was transferred to Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), and the other to the then-Udyāna Kingdom. From there, it was transmitted to Khotan. In the mid-fifth century, the eminent Southern Dynasty monk Faxian traveled to Khotan and brought the tooth to the Buddha Tooth Relic Pavilion at Shangdinglin Temple in Jiankang (Nanjing), the capital of the Southern Qi Dynasty. There, it was widely venerated by Buddhists from all over the world. The tooth was then enshrined in the Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda at Lingguang Temple in Badachu, Western Hills, Beijing.
During the Qiandao period of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1164-1173), the eminent monk Shanjian moved the plaque of "Shang Dinglin Temple" to Fangshan and rebuilt Dinglin Zen Temple, which faces Shang Dinglin Temple on Zhongshan Mountain in Nanjing on the north-south meridian. At the same time, he built the Dinglin Temple Pagoda, which has a history of more than 800 years. It is dedicated to enshrining Buddha statues and is not for people to enter.
Dinglin Temple Pagoda, also known as Fangshan Leaning Pagoda, tilts 7.59 degrees to the north, which is more inclined than the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. It is still known as the "world's first leaning tower."
Built on shifting sand and rubble, the Dinglin Temple Pagoda, due to years of disrepair, has seen its eaves, roof, and finials destroyed. The pagoda now tilts 7.59 degrees to the north, with its summit 1.6 meters off the center of its base. It is in critical condition, just shy of the 8-degree "death line." In 2003, authorities undertook a rescue and "correction" effort. By tying the pagoda with steel plates and securing it with cables, the pagoda's tilt was reduced from 7.5 degrees to 5.35 degrees. Even so, it still surpasses the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and remains the "world's most leaning tower."
Tips:
Ticket price: 20 yuan/person
Opening hours: 07:00-19:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Transportation: Take bus No. 812 to Fangshan Station and walk 1000 meters to the destination
Located in Tangquan Subdistrict, Pukou District, Nanjing, Huiji Temple, also known as the Ancient Huiji Temple, was built during the Southern Dynasties and originally named Tangquan Zen Temple. During the Liu Song Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Southern Dynasties, Liu Yu, visited here with his imperial chariot. During the Liang Dynasty, Crown Prince Xiao Tong studied here. It was destroyed by war during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty. Parts of it were rebuilt during the Guangxu reign, but the scale was far smaller than before.
The temple's three rare ancient ginkgo trees, each over 1,500 years old, have been designated a "Classical Chinese Garden Scene" and a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Site. Crown Prince Xiao Tong of the Southern Liang Dynasty studied here and planted them himself. These trees, nicknamed "Millennium Weeping Breast," "Supporting the Sky and Covering the Earth," and "Thunderstruck Resurrection," continue to flourish, pollinate, and bear fruit. Their ginkgo nuts, naturally ripe, are known as "Buddha's Sacred Fruit."
The Huiji Temple ruins are now a Nanjing-level cultural relic protection site and a park open to the public. The park's main cultural relics include foundation stones, inscriptions, and ancient trees. There are two types of foundation stones: one is a basin-shaped column base carved with patterns of peony, grape, and lotus, conveying a sense of wealth, prosperity, and peace. Judging from the shape and carving techniques, it likely originated from Tangquan Monastery in the Southern Tang Dynasty or Huiji Monastery in the early Song Dynasty, and was later used by Huiji Temple. The other type, a plain basin-shaped column base, dates back slightly later and may be a relic of the Chakravartin Hall, built in the third year of Yuanyou (1088) at Huiji Temple.
The three ginkgo trees within Huiji Temple remain vibrant and vibrant despite millennia of wind and rain, likely due to the sulfur-rich, carbon dioxide-rich hot springs beneath Tangquan Town. Tangquan Town, renowned as a "hot spring town," boasts seven or eight hot springs. Besides the long-abandoned Taizi Spring, there are also Wuliu Spring, Chuantang, Zhenzhu Spring, Tanghu Weir, and Lingjiaokeng. Their waters are not only used to treat ringworm but are also used by local residents to irrigate crops such as rice seedlings. Huiji Temple's location within Tangquan is a unique opportunity, offering both scenic and scenic views.
The late famous calligrapher and contemporary master of cursive script, Mr. Lin Sanzhi, had great affection for the three thousand-year-old ginkgo trees in his hometown. He wrote a long poem of more than 500 words "Ancient Ginkgo" to praise them and engraved a stele on it in the temple.
Tips:
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 06:30-17:00
Transportation: Take bus No. 812 to Fangshan Station and walk 1000 meters to the destination
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￥2180 from 463 people have registered Register nowHongjue Temple is located on Zutang Mountain in Dongshanqiao Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. It was first built in the second year of Tianjian in the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties (503 AD). It was originally named "Foku Temple" and later called "Hongjue Temple". In the Qing Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of Emperor Qianlong Hongli, it was changed to "Hongjue Temple".
Hongjue Temple is nestled against Niu Shou Mountain, facing Yuntai Mountain, and surrounded by mountains on both sides, enjoying an ideal location. At the southern foot of the mountain lies the Second Tomb of the Southern Tang Dynasty, currently the largest underground palace in Jiangnan.
Hongjue Temple is a famous temple in Jinling. It was built by Sikong Xu Du in the second year of Tianjian (503) during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang in the Southern Dynasties. It was originally named Foku Temple and was renamed during the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty (1436-1449). It is one of the Eight National Temples in Nanjing during the Ming Dynasty.
The Hongjue Temple Pagoda was first built in 774 AD during the ninth year of the Dali reign of the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that it was built by Emperor Daizong Li Yu in response to a dream. It was later destroyed, and the current pagoda was rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty. The Hongjue Temple Pagoda stands 25 meters tall, with seven levels and eight sides, and is built of brick. Each side features a pot-shaped door and two small windows, and each floor boasts carved wooden eaves.
The Hongjue Temple Pagoda is the most majestic surviving brick-built, imitation-wooden pavilion-style pagoda in Nanjing. Climbing the pagoda offers sweeping views of the southern suburbs. On July 14, 1956, tourists discovered an underground palace beneath the pagoda's upper garden, containing cultural relics. Excavations by the Nanjing Museum uncovered a gilded Lamaist pagoda, 0.35 meters tall, resting on a 0.16-meter-high Sumeru pedestal. The pagoda's base bears inscriptions: "Forever Support of the Hongjue Zen Temple on Niu Shou Mountain, Jinling" and "Donated by Li Fushan, a Buddhist Disciple and Imperial Eunuch."
Tips:
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 06:30-17:00
Transportation: Take bus No. 523 to Xiaochengzhen West Station and walk 121 meters to Rainbow Flower Expo Park
The Buddha's Head Palace is located in Niu Shou Mountain Ruins Park in Jiangning District, Nanjing. Spanning a total area of approximately 10.8 square kilometers, the palace is a deep pit structure, 220 meters long, 160 meters wide, and 89.3 meters high, with a single building area of approximately 136,000 square meters. Designed with the theme of offering sacrifices, the palace's interior is divided into nine floors: three above ground and six underground. The underground floor comprises the Relic Hall and the Relic Storage Hall.
The Buddha's Crown Palace is themed around offerings and consists of two domes, the larger and smaller, representing external and internal offerings. The larger dome, 120 meters long and shaped like the Buddha's robe, echoes the Niu Shou East Peak and overlies the smaller dome of the underground palace, symbolizing the Buddha's boundless blessings. The smaller dome, while shaped like the Buddha's hair bun, features a single dome with clasped hands, symbolizing the offerings of millions of believers to the Buddha.
The Buddha's Crown Palace is not a single dome, but is designed as a skylight-like space with straight lines from top to bottom. The reclining statue of the Buddha in the center is the most shocking, and visitors can admire it from multiple angles.
The Buddha used the four stages of birth, old age, sickness, and death to teach sentient beings. The Buddhist concept of "nirvana" is a state of eternal tranquility, neither birth nor death. Here, visitors can "borrow flowers to offer to the Buddha"—as the Buddha preached, the heavenly beings scattered flowers. Legend has it that the Pure Land of Buddha also has auspicious signs of raining flowers day and night. When Shakyamuni Buddha entered nirvana, all beings offered incense, flowers, and precious banners as offerings.
At the lowest level of the dome, within the most sacred palace of the entire site park, lies the skull relic of Sakyamuni Buddha. This replica pagoda, inlaid with the "Seven Treasures" of Buddhism—gilt, crystal, colored glass, and gemstones—incorporates dozens of traditional crafts, including bronze, gilt, cloisonné enamel, sculpture, and engraving, and is enhanced by laser projection, resulting in a truly exquisite masterpiece.
The Relic Repository is located 44 meters underground. The central area of the Repository, known as the Main Hall, is a religious site where the Buddha's skull relic will be permanently enshrined. The Relic Repository is primarily decorated in dark tones, creating a solemn and mysterious atmosphere. The 66-meter-long corridor is arranged according to the Six Paramitas, the six bodhisattva practices of upholding virtue, generosity, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom.
Tips:
Ticket price: 80 yuan/person
Opening Hours:
09:00-17:30 (Summer), 09:00-17:00 (Winter) (Monday-Sunday, January 1-December 31) 08:30-16:30 (Ticket Collection Time) (Monday-Sunday, January 1-December 31)
Transportation: Take bus No. 975 to Shiao Taoyuan Station and walk 1,700 meters to the destination
