Tianning Temple In-Depth Travel Guide: A Zen Journey to the Millennium Ancient Temple

1. Basic Information

Address: No. 636 Yanling Middle Road, Tianning District, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
Opening Hours: 07:00-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Tickets:

Temple admission: 20 RMB, Tower climb: 60 RMB (Children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70 years old are free).
Combo ticket (Temple + Pagoda) Adult: 65 RMB, Discounted: 35 RMB.

2. Transportation Guide

Metro:

Line 1/Line 2 to Wenhuagong Station Exit 7, 5-minute walk.
Line 1 to Hongmei Park Station Exit 2, 10-minute walk after exiting.

Bus:

Direct lines: B12, 3, 7, 11, 53, 220 to Tianning Temple Station.
Nearby stops: Hongmei Bus Center Station (Lines 7, 17, 19, 23, 53, 78).

Self-driving:

Navigate to "Tianning Temple," nearby parking lots (Yanling Middle Road, Luohan Road) 10 RMB/hour, limited spaces, recommend arriving early.

Train Station/Bus Station:

500 meters walk; with a train ticket, enjoy ticket discounts at Changzhou Station information desk and take a free shuttle directly to the temple.

3. Core Attractions and Activities

Tianning Pagoda (Must-visit)

Highlight: The world's tallest Buddhist pagoda (153.79 meters), climb to the top for panoramic views of the Grand Canal and Hongmei Park.
Activities:

Elevator to the 12th floor, walk to the 13th floor to see the crystal Buddha statues (the pagoda’s treasure).
Descend floor by floor to admire jade Buddha statues, wood carving exhibits, and capture ancient-style photos with corridor wind chimes.
Tip: Tower climb requires a separate ticket; morning visits are recommended for softer light and fewer crowds.

Mahavira Hall

Highlight: A 33-meter-high hall enshrining the Three Buddhas, backed by a sea island Guanyin sculpture group, with vivid Twenty Heavenly Protectors on both sides.
Experience: Listen to the resonating sounds of a 4-ton giant bell and a 2-meter drum, feeling the millennium-old Zen atmosphere.

Zen Experience

Sutra copying/Tea ceremony: Calmly write in the Zen hall or enjoy a pot of Zen tea.
Vegetarian meals: Ruyi Vegetarian Restaurant (20 RMB per person) recommends Arhat vegetarian dishes and vegetarian goose, serving starts at 11:30, don’t miss the mountain delicacy soup.

Hongmei Park Corridor

A 2-minute walk from the temple exit, featuring small bridges and flowing water alongside the ancient temple, perfect for capturing Jiangnan poetic scenery.

4. Recommended Tour Route

Morning:

Pray at the Heavenly King Hall → Feed the koi at the Carp Pond → Hang blessing ribbons at the God of Wealth Hall.
Climb Tianning Pagoda for panoramic views.

Afternoon:

Visit Mahavira Hall → Arhat Hall (500 golden Arhat statues, “point an Arhat” by age to check fortune).
Make a blessing stamp at the Pagoda Square (parent-child interaction).
Walk to Hongmei Park to enjoy the hydrangea sea.

5. Nearby Facilities

Accommodation:

Home Inn Chain Hotel (opposite the south gate, 5-minute walk).
Golden Hotel (adjacent to the temple, 2-minute walk).

Dining:

Vegetarian restaurant inside the temple, nearby commercial area (South Street) offers affordable milk tea and snacks.

Shopping:

Tianning Shangdu (religious supplies, Changzhou specialties).
Wenhuagong (department store, clothing).

6. Notes

Clothing: Climbing the pagoda requires climbing 13 floors of spiral stairs; lightweight sports shoes are recommended.
Etiquette: No photography inside the main hall; respect Buddhist worship rules.
Avoid: The “Consecration Ritual Goods Outlet” at the scenic exit has overpriced items; it’s better to buy souvenirs inside the temple.
Sun protection: During May Day, temperatures range from 18-28°C; wearing a sun hat is recommended (umbrellas are prohibited inside the halls).

7. Nearby Joint Visits

Qingguo Lane (Ming and Qing dynasty ancient street, 2 km, metro accessible): Rainy alley stone pavement with a strong literary atmosphere.
Banshan Bookstore (popular bookstore, cultural and creative + coffee, overlooking street views): A must-visit for literary youth.

Tips: After climbing the pagoda, take a stroll along the Hongmei Park trail and enjoy the breeze by the Grand Canal at dusk to end a fulfilling day!