Lingyan Temple in Jinan, Shandong｜One of the Four Great Temples in China

Lingyan Temple, a thousand-year-old temple located in Wande Town, Changqing District, Jinan City, has a history of more than 1,600 years. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been known as one of the "Four Great Temples" along with Guoqing Temple in Zhejiang, Qixia Temple in Nanjing, and Yuquan Temple in Hubei, and it ranks first among them. It also enjoys the reputation of "A trip to Mount Tai without visiting Lingyan Temple is not a complete trip." Here, the profound Buddhist heritage and beautiful natural scenery blend perfectly, making it a must-visit tourist destination.

Must-See Attractions
Thousand Buddha Hall: Originally built in the Tang Dynasty, it is the essence of Lingyan Temple. The hall houses the gilded "Three-Body Buddha," which is magnificent. There are hundreds of small wooden Buddha statues on the four walls, but the most noteworthy are the 40 clay Arhat statues around the hall. They have different expressions and postures, and are lifelike, known as the "Best Clay Sculptures," and are treasures of ancient Chinese sculpture art.
Pizhi Pagoda: The landmark building of Lingyan Temple, it is a nine-story brick pagoda with an octagonal base, carved with reliefs depicting the conversion of King Ashoka of the ancient Indian Peacock Dynasty to Buddhism. The pagoda is 55.7 meters high, with a beautiful shape and exquisite structure. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of Lingyan Temple and the surrounding mountains.
Tomb Pagoda Forest: This is the burial place of the successive abbots of Lingyan Temple. There are 167 tomb pagodas and 81 tombstones from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, making it the second largest tomb pagoda complex in China. The tomb pagodas here are diverse in shape and exquisitely carved. Each tomb pagoda carries the story of a high monk. Walking among them, you can feel the strong historical atmosphere.
Ganlu Spring: The water is clear, sweet, and never dries up. Legend has it that this spring was formed by Guanyin Bodhisattva dipping a willow branch into the water of a clean bottle. Drinking the water from Ganlu Spring can eliminate disasters and diseases, and prolong life. The environment around the spring is quiet and serene, surrounded by lush trees, making it a good place to rest.
Huichong Pagoda: Built during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty, it is the oldest existing building in Lingyan Temple. There are exquisite reliefs on the tower, such as "Old Man Pushing the Door" and "Woman Opening the Door," showcasing the architectural style and carving art of the Tang Dynasty.
Location: Yiling Road, Wande Street, Changqing District, Jinan City, Shandong Province.

Post by AvaScott | Feb 27, 2025