Yanfu Temple: Where Ancient Meets Modern

A five-hour drive from Nanjing just to witness this legendary Song Dynasty temple with Yuan Dynasty architecture.
No tickets or parking fees required. After parking and using the restroom, your journey into the past begins.
The first thing you'll see is Zhenlan Bridge. Next to the bridge is an ancient tree called Camphor Tree Mother, and in the distance is the Seven Buddhas Pagoda.
After walking 100–200m, you'll reach the new temple. It feels like it's still under construction. According to enthusiastic online users, it's managed by Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. If you want to burn incense and worship Buddha, you can only do it here. The old temple is a historical relic, and no fire is allowed inside.
Passing through the new temple's Hall of Perfect Penetration, you'll find the old temple.
Stepping into the mountain gate, you'll be instantly transported through time by the thousand-year-old cypress, bodhi, camellia, and ginkgo trees. The air is filled with the scent of antiquity. Search for the Song Dynasty bronze bell, Yuan Dynasty stone lions, Yuan and Ming Dynasty steles, lotus brackets, and the caisson ceiling. Finally, you'll understand the broken-beam structure, making the trip worthwhile.
After the hustle and bustle, gazing at these solidified histories can help you let go of attachments and return to your true self. When leaving, walk across the Zhenlan Bridge, which Lin Huiyin walked across in 1934. The Camphor Tree Mother still guards the bridge, and the windmill jasmine is in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance.
A few final thoughts:
1. Yanfu Temple is mainly about seeing the Yuan Dynasty architecture of the old temple. Most visitors are not experts, so be sure to watch the analysis video in the side hall first to understand the construction process and marvel at the wisdom of the ancients.
2. The old temple is small, but it allows you to quietly feel the passage of time. It's especially suitable for people with some life experience to reflect on the past.
3. The Guanyin Hall has now become an open book bar, but it doesn't seem very useful, because tourists rarely have time to read a book. I searched for a long time but couldn't find the Lin Huiyin inspection monument. When I asked the staff, they didn't even know as much as I did. Why doesn't such a historical and cultural site train its staff?
4. Transportation is inconvenient, and most people come by car. There weren't many tourists during the May Day holiday, which was nice. The tour takes 1–2 hours. Nearby, there are also places worth visiting, such as Lianwu Tea Garden, Yuyuan Village, and Shanxia Bao Village.

Post by OutdoorAdventurist | May 5, 2025