Lingyin Temple - Peaceful Buddhist Temple in Lush Forest

Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat) stands as Hangzhou's most revered Buddhist sanctuary with an uninterrupted spiritual legacy spanning 1,700 years. Nestled between the majestic Beigao Peak and the legendary Feilai Feng (Peak That Flew Here), this sacred complex embodies the perfect harmony of nature and devotion - where mist-shrouded peaks embrace thousand-year-old camphor trees, ancient prayer halls echo with sutra chants, and over 470 Buddhist grotto sculptures whisper tales from the Five Dynasties period.

Beyond its architectural splendor, Lingyin represents a living cultural tapestry:

- The Feilai Feng grottoes showcase China's most extensive collection of Huayan School rock carvings;
- Its library preserves rare editions of the Buddhist canon;
- Annual rituals like the Lunar New Year's first incense ceremony attract over 2 million pilgrims;
- The temple's tea culture birthed the renowned "West Lake Dragon Well" tradition.

Recognized as a National Key Buddhist Temple (1983) and an important part of UNESCO World Heritage site - West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, Lingyin offers visitors four unparalleled experiences: tracing the footsteps of poet-governor Bai Juyi (9th century), studying Song Dynasty wood architecture, participating in monastic daily rituals, and meditating along the "Path of Enlightenment" lined with 500 arhat statues. This AAAAA-rated sanctuary remains not just a tourist destination, but a spiritual compass guiding China's Buddhist renaissance.

Founded in 326 AD by Indian monk Huili, Lingyin Temple ("Soul's Retreat") has stood as a spiritual beacon in Hangzhou for over 1,700 years. Nestled between Feilai Peak and Beigao Mountain, its early growth was supported by Liang Dynasty emperors before reaching prominence during the Wuyue Kingdom (907-978 AD), when it expanded to house 3,000 monks and became a center of Chan Buddhism.

The temple flourished as an imperial sanctuary during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), hosting emperors for religious ceremonies. Though damaged during the Huichang Persecution (842-846) and Ming-Qing transitions, it was meticulously rebuilt each time, most notably by Qing Emperor Kangxi, who personally inscribed its name.

Today, this National Key Cultural Relics site preserves priceless artifacts like the 24.8-meter Sakyamuni statue while maintaining active monastic traditions. Its blend of natural beauty, ancient architecture, and living Buddhist practice continues to attract millions annually, making it both a historical treasure and vibrant spiritual center.

Major Sites to Visit in Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple has a lot, both nature and culture, for you to explore. In spite of crowded tourists in weekends or holidays, the ambience of the entire temple is so peaceful making you relaxed. The main halls of Lingyin Temple were built in the axis, including Hall of Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall of Great Sage, Palace of Medicine Buddha, Dharma Hall & Sutra Library and Huayuan Palace. Several other halls sit in the two side of the axis

Hall of Heavenly Kings

The first building you meet after you enter Lingyin Temple is the astonishing Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿). A horizontal inscribed board with “Yun Lin Chan Si”, which is written by Emperor Kangxi, hangs highly above the gate. As you step in, an ornate cabinet housing Maitreya (the Future Buddha) will catch your eyes. The Buddha with a big belly seems laughing a hearty laugh, which means that he always tolerate the intolerable and laugh at the ridiculous. At the back, facing up the hill, is the statue Skanda Buddha on golden helmet and gold leaves, sculpted from precious camphor wood. The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings are standing in the two sides of the great hall, looking fierce and imposing.

Grand Hall of Great Sage

Called Juehang Palace originally, the Grand Hall of Great Sage (大雄宝殿) is a two-storied building with a three-eave roof which jumps to a pinnacle of 33.6 meters. In the center sits a startling statue of Shakyamuni on a lotus flower. With a height of 24.8 meters, it is one of the biggest camphor-wooden sitting statues and one treasured religious artwork. Behind the giant statue is a group of stereoscopic statues: Bodhisattva carrying holy bottle, surrounded by 150 small figures. You can also enjoy many lively scenes described in Buddhist sutras.

In front of Grand Hall of Great Sage situate two 9-story octahedral stony pagodas with fine carvings on each side. As great architect Liang Sicheng identified, the two pagodas were built in late Five Dynasties.

Palace of Medicine Buddha

Palace of Medicine Buddha (药师殿) is a 20-meter long and 12-meter wide hall where Three Saints in East are enshrined, including Medicine Buddha, Sunlight Buddha and Moonlight Buddha. Medicine Buddha is the middle one sitting on the lotus. It is said that he could remove all disease and disasters from people. Sunlight Buddha and Moonlight Buddha are standing on the two sides Medicine Buddha, symbolizing promising and refreshing respectively. In the right and left sides are lined with 12 disciples of Medicine Buddha in the sequence of twelve hours.

Left to Palace of Medicine Buddha, there is a rebuilt Arhat Hall with a Lingyin Bronze Palace which is the highest bronze place in China according to Guinness World Records.

Jigong Hall

Jigong Hall (济公殿) or Daoji Hall is situated to the east of the Palace of Medicine Buddha. In the center of the hall is a bronze statue of Master Jigong with a broken fan in his right hand and Buddhist prayer beads in his left hand. In the history, Jigong was a famed monk scintillating with wit. He knew the hardships of the people and helped them a lot. Lingyin Temple is temple where he ordained as a monk. However, his was rendered excessively as a weird, rigid, meat-eating but kind and powerful Buddha. Popular Chinese TV play series Living Buddha Jigong was shoot in Lingyin Temple. You could read the 50-meter long mural displaying a narration of Jigong’s lengendary life stories on Chinese scroll paintings of landscape.

There are three important activities occuring in the Lingyin Temple every year. Though we might be unable to watch or take part in, we could read the benevolence of the Buddists in Lingyin Temple.

The Laba Porridge Distribution

Lingyin Temple has kept giving off Laba Porridge in every Laba Porridge Festival (腊八节) as a tradition for more than a thousand years. In the ancient time, the monks in Lingyin Temple gave gruel to the poor out of the temple. Nowadays, they always choose the charity houses, nursing houses, hotels, schools or other communities to continue their philanthropic act. Not only Lingyin masters but also many volunteers take part in porridge distribution. The safe and delicious porridge is also a reflection of positive ethos in Hangzhou. At the same day, a series of Buddhist cultural activities will take place in Lingyin Temple, like praying ceremony, sermon ceremony, chanting sutra etc.

Shui-Lu Rite

Acted as the most ceremonious and extraordinary rite in Chinese Buddhism, Shui-Lu Rite (水陆法会) aims to mediate relations with local gods, ancestors, and the restless dead (ghosts), and deliver all living creatures from torment. The Shui-Lu Rite of Lingyin Temple always occurs in every September of lunar calendar. In Lingyin Temple, the Shui-Lu Rite will last for seven days. The performance involves a massive outlay of human and material resources, with multiple layers of ritual activities taking place in seven different altar sites. In every day, the Buddhists need to chant sutras and bow to expiate the sins of the deceased ancestors and pray for living people.

Charitable Mendicancy

Charitable Mendicancy (托钵行脚)was firstly launched in Lingyin Temple in 2009 and now there are many religious disciples in Zhejiang Province taking part in this activity. All the abbots and masters in Lingyin Temple will go to beg alms. The money they raised will be donated to the local charity organization to help the poor or refugees. The local people are always glad to show their kindness and give their charitable contribution, because it is a means of cultivating virtue and accumulating merits for them. And they always prepare a glass of tea for the tired monks. As the monks go to different places, they will spread Buddhist spirit and answering dilemmas for people.

Adjacent to Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak (飞来峰) reigns as the foremost of Hangzhou’s Five Zen Buddhist Mountains and a must-visit cultural landmark. According to legend, this limestone peak "flew overnight" from India, earning its name (Feilai means "flying arrival"). The mountain is a living museum of Buddhist art, with 470+ ancient carvings adorning its riverbanks, cliffs, and hidden grottoes—335 of which remain exquisitely preserved.

The 10th-century carvings (Wuyue Kingdom era) are the highlight, including the Maitreya Buddha (Laughing Buddha), a plump, jovial figure symbolizing prosperity, The Eighteen Arhats, each with unique expressions, carved along the eastern stream path and Guanyin statues and protective deities tucked into niches, showcasing the blend of Indian and Chinese artistic styles. A 10-minute hike up the stone-paved trail through lush camphor and pine forests leads to the summit, offering panoramic views of Lingyin Temple and West Lake. En route, don’t miss Qinglin Cave (青林洞), where the earliest carvings reside, including a rare "Philosopher’s Stone" with Sanskrit inscriptions, and Jigong’s Bed, a flat rock tied to the folk hero’s mischievous legends.

Pro Tip: Visit at dawn to avoid crowds and witness sunlight illuminating the carvings’ intricate details. Combined with Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak forms a UNESCO-listed spiritual and artistic sanctuary.

Where is Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple is located in the west of Hangzhou, adjacent to Feilai Peak and 3 km away from West Lake.

How to Get to Lingyin Temple

From Railway Station: Hangzhou East Railway Station, the largest railway station with most high-speed trains, is very close to Lingyin Temple, about 13 km. You can choose a public bus, subway or taxi to get your destination. Taking public bus or subway need to transfer for a few times.

From Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport: Lingyin Temple is about 36 km west to the airport, tourists can take the shuffle bus from the airport to Pinghai Road), then turn to Yuewang Road and take a public transportation to get to Lingyin Temple. The whole journey will cost about half and two hours. Taking a taxi is more advisable, and you will get to Lingyin Temple directly with one hour.

Usually, visitors spend 2 days around to enjoy a classic Hangzhou tour to visit the West Lake Scenic Area, including the amazing West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing Tea Plantations, etc. If you want an in-depth Hangzhou tour, you can also pay another half day or so to visit Xixi National Wetland Park, one day around to Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or one day or so to Thousand Islands Lake, etc. Check all Hangzhou Tours >>

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Also, you can spend 1 day to take a side trip to the nearby water towns like Wuzhen and Xitang in Jiaxing, 2~3 days to Putuoshan - one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, or 1 day to the popular Nanxun Old Town in Huzhou. Check more about Zhejiang Tours >>

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Besides, compared with just travelling Hangzhou, most of the visitors prefer to travel the metropolis Shanghai, Suzhou Gardens and Hangzhou Lakes in One Go! Such an amazing tour will take 5~6 days.

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Some visitors also ride a high speed train to Huangshan to visit the world-famous Yellow Mountain. A Hangzhou Huangshan tour needs about 5 days around.

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