Shaolin Temple
In 1982, the film Shaolin Temple took the world by storm, igniting a global fascination with Shaolin martial arts upon its debut. Located deep in the lush forests of Mount Shaoshi within the Songshan Mountain range, it is thus named "Shaolin Temple". Celebrated globally as the cradle of Zen Buddhism in China and the mecca of Chinese martial arts, it has long been steeped in myth and enduring fame. Even after centuries, its legends persist.
However, on July 27, 2025, the "CEO Monk" Shi Yongxin incident pushed Shaolin Temple into the eye of the storm. The former abbot Shi Yongxin was under investigation due to his embezzlement of funds, misuse of temple assets, and long-term extramarital affairs with multiple women. In the wake of the scandal, a new abbot has been appointed. He rolled back commercial ventures like scrapping the controversial 800-yuan incense fee, and digitally archived the "72 Arts of the Shaolin Temple" to promote the preservation of Shaolin culture in China.
Facts of the Shaolin Temple
History of Shaolin Temple & Origin of Shaolin Martial Arts
The Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng was built in 495, the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, to accommodate the Indian monk Batuo (Buddhabhadra), who came to China to teach Hinayana Buddhism. Shortly after, according to tradition, Bodhidharma, an Indian monk credited with the founding of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, came to live here by crossing the Yangtze River on a reed, after visiting the emperor in Nanjing.
At Shaolin Temple, now one of the most famous temples in China, he sat motionless for nine years, facing a wall in a state of illumination. He was the first to practice what is now known as Shaolin martial arts. As the years passed, his limbs had become stiff from the prolonged sitting, and he felt great discomfort. He also noticed that the monks were falling asleep during meditation and that their health was deteriorating. So he invented an exercise of eighteen movements, now known as the Eighteen Routines of Shaolin Martial Arts, imitating the pounce of the tiger, the climb of the monkey, and more.
Architecture of Shaolin Temple
1. Shanmen
Shanmen, the main gate of Shaolin Temple, was first built in 1735 (the 13th year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign in the Qing Dynasty) and was renovated in 1974. The gate's plaque is inlaid with the three large characters "Shaolin Temple" (少林寺), personally inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, which shows the temple's nobility and historical legacy. In front of the gate stand two stone lions, while the octagonal walls feature an ornamental stone archway, further enhancing the ancient temple's majesty and solemnity.
2. Devajara Hall
The Devajara Hall (Tianwang Dian) of Zhong Yue Shaolin Temple is situated along the central axis behind the main gate. Originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, it underwent multiple renovations before being burned down in 1928. Meticulously rebuilt in the early 1980s using ancient blueprints, it now houses the Four Celestial Guardians, their vivid statues radiating power beneath the hall’s iconic crimson walls, emerald-glazed roofs, and intricately painted eaves.
3. Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall (Daxiong Baodian) is the central structure of Shaolin Temple in China and serves as the primary venue for Buddhist ceremonies. After its reconstruction in 1986, it now cradles golden effigies of the historic Buddha (Shakyamuni), the Healer of Suffering (Medicine Buddha), and the Buddha of Infinite Light (Amitabha) in a serene triarchy. On the sacred platforms stand statues of the 18 Arhats of Shaolin Temple, each vividly crafted with distinctive postures and expressions. All these make it a must-visit during your China religious tours.
4. Sutra-keeping Pavilion
Behind the Mahavira Hall of Shaolin Temple stands the Sutra-keeping Pavilion, a sanctuary where eminent monks preached Buddhist teachings. This treasure trove safeguards rare artifacts like the Ming Dynasty’s complete Buddhist scriptures and archival Shaolin kung fu scrolls. With 8 million ancient texts, it continues to be a living library for monastic study and spiritual discourse. At its heart rests a serene white-jade reclining Buddha, gifted in 1996 by a Burmese devotee of Shaolin.
5. Lixue Pavilion
Also known as Bodhidharma’s Pavilion, this pavilion dates back to the Ming Dynasty, immortalizing the legend of Patriarch Huike, who famously cut off his arm in the snow to prove his devotion to Bodhidharma’s teachings. Its interior bears Emperor Qianlong’s calligraphic plaque "Snow Marks the Jeweled Mind." The pavilion enshrines a bronze statue of Bodhidharma and serves as an important site for the Shaolin Temple's daily Buddhist rituals.
6. Thousand-Buddha Hall
Named after its large mural of the Five Hundred Arhats, this is the largest surviving Buddhist hall in Henan’s Shaolin Temple. Located behind the Lixue Pavilion, this innermost hall dazzles visitors with its Tang-era masterpieces, including the legendary "Thirteen Staff Monks Saving the Emperor" and the "Cosmic Assembly of Arhats" murals. These paintings, hailed as the pinnacle of Tang Buddhist art, cement the hall’s status as Shaolin’s crowning artistic gem.
What to Do at Shaolin Temple
Admire the Pagoda Forest
About 300 meters west of the Shaolin Temple is the Pagoda Forest, which is a must-visit on your Shaolin Temple tour. In accordance with the Buddhist system, pagodas were built there to keep the remains of the deceased abbots and other eminent monks, and stone tablets inscribed with the merits and virtues of the dead were erected.
There are 231 pagodas built during the 1,200 years after 791, the eleventh year of the reign (780-805) of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty. The pagodas vary in appearance and are from one to seven stories high, with the highest being 15 meters.
Enjoy Martial Arts Performances
The most thrilling experience at Shaolin Temple in China is undoubtedly the Shaolin martial arts performance, which begins promptly at 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, and 15:00 daily, so don’t miss this visual feast during your China kung fu tours. You'll see the monks, dressed in plain robes and radiating vitality, show a dazzling array of Shaolin arts, from Qigong and Two-Finger Zen to Shaolin’s Eighteen Weapons, leaving the audience in awe.
Experience Zen Meditation at Shaolin Temple
If you are looking to recharge your mind and body, join the Zen Meditation Retreat at Shaolin Temple. Here, you will live and eat alongside Shaolin masters, immersing yourself in the secluded life of monks. Each day begins with the sounds of morning bells and evening drums, followed by group morning prayers. When chanting scriptures under the guidance of masters in the solemn Buddha hall, you'll feel inner peace.
Taste the Chinese Vegetarian Cuisine
Shaolin Temple's unique vegetarian cuisine is also a major highlight during your China travel. Typically, the vegetarian cuisine is cooked with eighteen techniques, including steaming, frying, and braising, to shape bean products into animal forms. Here, you can try vegetarian sea cucumber made from shiitake mushroom stems and vegetarian abalone made from king oyster mushrooms. They are visually appealing and aromatic dishes with authentic flavors, which will undoubtedly amaze your palate.
Explore the Beautiful Sanhuangzhai
The breathtaking natural beauty of Shaolin Scenic Area unfolds at Sanhuangzhai on Shaoshi Mountain, which is the best viewing spot in the Songshan UNESCO Global Geopark, one of the unique National Forest Parks in China. Take the Shaolin Cableway, and you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Songshan Mountain, with continuous mountain ranges and dense forests all in view. At Sanhuangzhai near Shaolin Temple, hike to the Book Cliff. This unique geological landscape is a masterpiece shaped by nature over hundreds of millions of years.
How to Join the Shaolin Temple in China?
Fascinated by the martial arts in films like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Jet Lee’s Shaolin Temple? Want to practice authentic Chinese kung fu like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan in Temple of Shaolin-related movies? You are welcome to join the Shaolin Temple training classes and learn kung fu in China’s Shaolin Temple.
You can train at the official Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Academy, which is China’s most prestigious martial arts institution. It provides flexible training plans for worldwide students of all levels, with all the styles of Chinese kung fu trained in full-time or optional classes. Under the guidance of masters, you'll practice the authentic Shaolin kung fu.
Besides, there are over 300 Shaolin Temple cultural centers and branches in more than 50 countries and regions worldwide, like Shaolin Temple USA. They also offer martial arts training. For long-term practice, you can join a local branch near you.
Best Time to Visit Shaolin Temple
Though it opens all year round, spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Shaolin Temple in China. Typically, during these times, pleasant weather and breathtaking mountain views create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. Summer transforms Songshan Scenic Area into a refreshing retreat, with lush greenery and cool streams providing respite from the heat. In winter, the snow views there are captivating, which is especially suitable for visitors who prefer tranquility.
How to Get to Shaolin Temple
From Zhengzhou
For visitors traveling from any part of China, take a bullet train to Zhengzhou. Then, head to Zhengzhou Central Bus Station (located opposite the train station) and take a direct bus to Shaolin Temple. As a standard schedule, the earliest direct bus departs at 7:00 AM, with one every 40 minutes (currently only available in the morning). The fare is 30 yuan, with a trip of about two hours.
>> Recommended 4-Day Zhengzhou Shaolin Temple Tour
From Luoyang
If you want to visit the Shaolin Temple after your Luoyang travel, make your way to the Luoyang Bus Station and take a bus to the Shaolin Temple. Note that the final destinations are usually Xuchang, Xinmi, Yuzhou, etc., with Shaolin Temple as a stop along the way. The journey takes about two hours. Another option is taking a Dengfeng-bound bus from Luoyang Longmen Bus Terminal and getting off at Shaolin Temple.
>> Recommended 3-Day Luoyang Tour with Shaolin Temple
Plan a Henan Shaolin Temple Tour with Easy Tour China
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