Yingjiang Temple | A Hidden Temple in Anqing's Alleyways

| A Hidden Temple in Anqing's Alleyways.|||

In the misty March rain, walking through the riverside park along the Yangtze River, dewdrops from the rain still cling to the bluestone pavement. Past a weathered vermillion archway, suddenly a seven-story golden pagoda pierces through the thin fog—this is Yingjiang Temple, the premier temple of the Wanjiang region.

📍 148 Yanjiang East Road, Yingjiang District, Anqing

🪪 Admission
Tickets are available at the temple gate for 10 yuan. An additional 20 yuan is required to climb the Zhenfeng Pagoda. Even without a ticket, you can see the pagoda's silhouette from the riverside walkway outside.

⏰ Opening Hours
The temple opens at 7:00 and closes at 17:30.

🏯 Attraction Highlights
☑️ Hall of Heavenly Kings: Step across the threshold to see the smiling Maitreya Buddha seated in the center, with the colorful statues of the Four Heavenly Kings still vibrant after a century. Notice how Skanda holds his vajra horizontally—symbolizing that this temple welcomes wandering monks from all directions.

☑️ Grand Hall: Before the three giant golden Buddha statues, you might encounter young novice monks finishing their morning chants, with sandalwood incense and bell sounds lingering in the rafters. When circling the hall, look up at the ceiling's painted phoenixes and peonies—a true masterpiece.

☑️ Zhenfeng Pagoda (Highly Recommended👍🏻): Remove your shoes to climb barefoot up creaking wooden stairs that seem to transport you through time. Seven floors up, bronze bells sway in the river breeze. Below, the Yangtze River stretches like a ribbon, with cargo ships slowly sailing north trailing white waves. Tie a red ribbon to the corner wind chimes for good luck in love—I tied one for my best friend, wondering when she'll meet her true match.

☑️ Sutra Library: Houses a gold-traced Lotus Sutra bestowed by Emperor Guangzong of the Ming Dynasty. Though not open to the public, the building itself is a work of art.

🍜 Food Guide
1⃣ Yingjiang Tower Vegetarian Restaurant (Next to temple): 148 Yanjiang Middle Road, 56 yuan per person. Try the mock fish made from tofu skin with special sauce—it perfectly mimics fish texture. The Arhat's Feast with seven mushroom varieties is incredibly flavorful.

2⃣ Song Hui Kitchen (15-minute walk): Jade Huating Commercial Building, Huazhong West Road, 72 yuan per person. Must-try: fermented mandarin fish—tender flesh like garlic cloves, perfect with rice. The fermented tofu sizzles on iron plates with a unique taste when dipped in chili sauce.

⚠ Tips
1⃣ Wear non-slip shoes for climbing the pagoda: Zhenfeng Pagoda has steep wooden stairs
2⃣ No outside incense allowed
3⃣ Avoid peak times: The pagoda gets crowded on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month. The stairs only fit two people side by side—better visit early morning or evening on regular days
4⃣ Parking tip: The temple square charges 4 yuan for the first hour, 2 yuan per hour after. For all-day parking, navigate to "Port Road parking lot," just a 5-minute walk away.