Day 1 Hangzhou → Dajue Temple → Yixing → Hangzhou
08:00
Gather, sign in, and depart
【Meeting Place】Exit F of Huanglong Sports Center Subway Station
【Meeting Time】7:30~8:00
Depart on time at 8:00, the tour leader will introduce you to the group and make you laugh all the way
10:00
Jiangnan Little Potala Palace Dajue Temple
July 12-13 is the Guanyin Cultural Festival, with activities such as Guanyin worship, gift giving, and free Guanyin noodles. For a preview of the specific program, please click the link at the end of the itinerary.
Dajue Temple, originally named "Dajue Zen Temple on Baita Mountain in Yuanshang Township," was built during the Xianchun reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (1265-1274) and boasts a history of over 700 years. It was rebuilt during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty but later damaged by war. It is also the ancestral temple of Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan. In 2004, Master Hsing Yun, in gratitude for the kindness of his ancestral temple, led his disciples in rebuilding Dajue Temple. The new temple was essentially completed in 2011, becoming a sacred site of Buddhist culture that blends tradition and modernity.
Dajue Temple is built against the mountain and is majestic. Its architectural style is simple and elegant, with white walls and yellow tiles. It is similar to the Potala Palace and is therefore also known as the Jiangsu version of the "Little Potala Palace".
We arrived at Dajue Temple and began our temple tour, passing through the Guangna Haichuan Mountain Gate and visiting the Duobao White Pagoda (closed on Mondays). Dajue Temple's vegetarian restaurant offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, among which the vegetarian noodles are particularly famous. Those who are interested can also try a bowl (10-15/bowl).
The Guanyin Hall houses a giant white jade Guanyin Bodhisattva, with white walls and a golden tiled roof. Thousands of small Buddha statues are carved into the white walls. The entire hall is white, with a distinct Southeast Asian decorative style. It also houses an art gallery and an interactive education exhibition hall.
[Main Hall] Inside the hall is a ten-meter-tall jade statue of seated Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by colorful stone and jade carvings of the Eastern Glazed World and the Western Paradise. Surrounding the hall are over 10,000 smaller jade Buddhas. When you walk up to the main hall and look back, you can see the panoramic view of the Guanyin Hall.
You can take care of your own lunch at Dajue Temple, or bring your own dry food and wait until you arrive in Yixing in the afternoon to continue looking for food.
13:00
Yixing Pottery Factory No. 2
The Second Pottery Factory is a 40-year-old purple clay factory that was transformed into a block integrating art and ceramics. The art gallery with a ceramic facade has also become a popular check-in spot.
Then go to Shushan Gunan Street.
Northeast of Shu Town, Dingshan, Yixing, lies Shunan Ancient Street, also known as Shushan Old Street. This thousand-year-old street is filled with buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and has produced a large number of purple clay art masters. We'll cross the street and wander through quaint shops selling purple clay utensils, explore Dongpo Academy, and stroll through Xiansheng Temple. We'll also find our own food on Gunan Street and nearby.
4:00 PM
Return
Gathering in time, we happily return to Hangzhou
【Disbandment location】Exit F of Huanglong Sports Center Subway Station
