Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Si) has long been considered one of the most important Buddhist temples in China. Established in 326 AD, today it is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in the country, and its location on scenic Feilai Feng ("The Peak That Flew Hither") makes it one of Hangzhou's most significant and popular attractions. The entire Feilai Feng area is sacred to the Chan sect of Buddhism—known in Japan and the west as Zen—and it is dotted with sculptures and smaller shrines, including Ligong Pagoda, with the sprawling Lingyin Temple at its heart. Many of the sculptures, carved directly out of the peak's limestone are between 600 and 1,000 years old.
The temple was founded by a legendary Indian monk named Huili who reputedly recognized in Feilai Feng a sacred hill from his homeland, leading him to give Feilai Feng its peculiar name. He also gave Lingyin its name, which roughly translates as "where the divine rest in seclusion." In its heyday, the temple featured nine towers, 18 pavilions, 72 halls and housed some 3,000 monks. It' is said to have been destroyed and rebuilt 16 times. Today's complex largely dates from the Qing Dynasty, though many statues and artifacts are much older. The temple last underwent major renovation in 1975 and today is an excellent example of a working Chan temple. Its entrance and primary structure, the Hall of the Heavenly King, contains an impressive array of Buddhas. Some are replicas dating from the 1930s, while others are over 800 years old.
Admission:RMB 30
Hours:7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
How to get there:1 Fayun Long, Lingyin Lu. Take bus No.7 from Yuefei Mu or from the railway station to the final stop.
Phone: (0571) 8796 8665
Website: www.lingyinsi.org
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