The weekend is almost here, shouldn’t I take my family to worship Buddha and make a wish?

1. Travel Guide to Xinchang Big Buddha Temple
1. Scenic spot features
The largest Buddha in Jiangnan: The 16-meter-high Maitreya Grotto statue was carved during the Southern Qi and Liang dynasties. It is 200 years earlier than the Leshan Giant Buddha and is known as the "Jiangnan Dunhuang Grottoes."
Integration of nature and humanity: It includes the seven-level waterfall in Prajna Valley, the petrified wood dinosaur park, Shuanglin Grottoes (the largest reclining Buddha in Asia) and other attractions, combining landscapes with Buddhist culture.
2. Tickets and opening hours
Tickets: 80 yuan for adults, 40 yuan for half-price tickets (discounts are available for children, students, and the elderly), and free for some groups (people over 70 years old, soldiers, the disabled, etc.).
Opening hours:
Summer (May 1st - September 30th): 6:00-17:30
Winter (October 1st - April 30th of the following year): 6:00-17:00.
3. Transportation Guide
High-speed rail: Get off at Shengzhou Xinchang Station, and then take a taxi for about 20 minutes to reach the scenic spot.
Self-driving: Navigate to "Xinchang Big Buddha Temple". The parking lot charges about 20-30 yuan per time.
4. Recommended tour routes
Qiguang Jingyuan (Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda) → Thousand Buddha Temple (Thousand Buddha Rock) → Prajna Valley (Seven-level waterfall, stone wall relief) → Big Buddha Temple Gate → Free Life Pond → Heavenly King Hall → Big Buddha → Main Hall → Buddha Heart Square (the word "Buddha" handwritten by Master Hongyi) → Baiyun Lake → Shuanglin Grottoes (the largest reclining Buddha in Asia).
5. Food and accommodation
Food: There is a vegetarian restaurant in the scenic area. It is recommended to try local specialties such as Xinchang Xiaolongbao and fried gluten in the surrounding area.
Accommodation: The Baiyun Villa in the scenic area has a quiet environment, or you can choose a hotel in Xinchang city.
6. Notes
It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes as some sections require walking or climbing stairs.
There is a shuttle bus (5 yuan/person) in the scenic area to save energy.
2. Travel Guide to Lingshan Giant Buddha in Wuxi
1. Scenic spot features
The world's tallest bronze Buddha: The 88-meter-high Lingshan Buddha weighs 70,000 tons and is magnificent.
Buddhist cultural experience: Nine Dragons Bathing Performance, Lingshan Brahma Palace (Oriental Louvre), Five Seals Mandala (Tibetan Buddhist architecture) and other attractions.
2. Tickets and opening hours
Tickets: Adult tickets are 195-210 yuan (discounts for online bookings), free for some groups of people (children under 1.2 meters, people over 70 years old, etc.).
Opening hours:
Daylight Saving Time (7:00-17:30)
Winter time (7:30-17:00).
3. Transportation Guide
Bus: Take bus No. 88/89 from Wuxi Railway Station to the scenic spot, the journey takes about 1 hour.
Self-driving: Navigate to "Lingshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area", parking fee is 15-30 yuan/time.
4. Recommended tour routes
Nine Dragons Bathing (must-see performance) → Demon Subduing Relief → Ashoka Pillar → The World's No. 1 Palm → Lingshan Giant Buddha (touch the Buddha's feet) → Lingshan Brahma Palace (performance of "Auspicious Hymn") → Five Seal Mandala.
5. Performance time
Kowloon Bathing: 4 sessions on weekdays (10:00, 11:30, 14:45, 16:40), 5 sessions on weekends.
Auspicious Song: 4 shows on weekdays (10:35, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00), 5 shows on weekends.
6. Food and accommodation
Food: Vegetarian buffet on the second floor of Fan Palace (55-60 yuan/person), Lingshan Ruyi vegetarian noodles and vegetarian buns are recommended.
Accommodation: There are Zhongwei Blue Sea Yuhua Hotel and others around the scenic area, or you can choose Nianhua Bay Zen B&B.
7. Notes
It is recommended to enter the park at 7:30 am to avoid the peak crowds.
You can take a sightseeing bus (40 yuan/person) in the scenic area, which saves effort and covers the main attractions.
3. Other suggestions
Xinchang Big Buddha Temple and Lingshan Giant Buddha Combined Tour: If you have enough time, you can arrange a 3-day tour, combining Wuxi Lingshan Giant Buddha, Nianhua Bay (Jiangnan Town) and Xinchang natural scenery.
Cultural experience: Both scenic spots offer blessing activities (such as touching Buddha's feet, stamping, and burning incense), which are suitable for quiet contemplation.
Choose the right attractions based on your interests and time, and enjoy a spiritual and cultural journey!