Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Si) is the largest and most prestigious Buddhist monastery in Hangzhou. Its name, Lingyin, or Soul's Retreat Temple, comes naturally from its quiet surroundings. The temple is located to the west of Hangzhou’s West Lake, backed by North Peak and facing Feilai Peak. As one of the most famous temples in China, it is really a hideaway and attracts countless visitors and devotees for its profound Buddhist culture, magnificent natural scenery, and serene Zen atmosphere.
Lingyin Temple Facts
Lingyin Temple History
Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, China was built in 326 A.D. at the foot of Lingyin Mountain, with a history of over 1,600 years. Its founding patriarch was the Indian monk Huili from Western India. Legend says that upon arriving here, he saw the extraordinary beauty of the mountains and believed it to be a place where "immortals and spirits dwelled in seclusion," hence naming the temple "Lingyin" (Soul's Retreat). It is Hangzhou's oldest Buddhist temple.
Expanded during the Tang Dynasty, Lingyin Temple reached its peak under King Qian Chu of the Wuyue Kingdom in the Five Dynasties period, when it was enlarged to nine towers, eighteen pavilions, and seventy-two halls with 3,000 monks. Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song Dynasty ranked it second among the "Five Great Mountains of Zen" (after Jingshan Temple). Rebuilt multiple times during the Ming and Qing dynasties, most current structures date from the late Qing. After 1949, it underwent five major renovations.
Must-See Architectures in Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple's architecture is built along the mountain slopes with a rigorous layout. The entire temple complex covers an expansive area of approximately 8.7 acres. Its architectural masterpieces are arranged along a central axis.
The Heavenly King Hall
On your Hangzhou travel to Lingyin Temple, the first hall to visit is the Heavenly King Hall. Its golden plaque, "Yunlin Temple", was inscribed by Emperor Kangxi. You'll encounter the welcoming Maitreya Buddha, then discover the hall's masterpiece: a 700-year-old Southern Song-era Skanda statue. This 2.5-meter-tall sacred guardian, dating back over 700 years to the Southern Song Dynasty, is hailed as the pinnacle of Southern Song woodcarving art. The armored deity wears a golden helmet and exudes majestic vitality.
The Grand Hall of the Great Sage
The Grand Hall of the Great Sage in Lingyin Temple, 33.6 meters high, is one of the tallest one-story buildings in Chinese architecture, further distinguished by double eaves. A statue of Sakyamuni, carved out of 24 blocks of camphor wood, stands 24.8 meters high in the main hall. The foremost temple houses a laughing Buddha carved in camphor wood and covered in gold; there is a carved gilt figure standing behind as a guard. Both figures are set under a double-eave wooden canopy decorated in red and gold.
The Stone Pagodas and Scripture Pillars
The Stone Pagodas and Scripture Pillars of Lingyin Temple are outstanding representatives of Buddhist architectural art from the Five Dynasties to the Northern Song period. The Wuyue-era twin pagodas before the Grand Hall show China's pioneering stone pagoda craftsmanship with their intricate deity carvings. While the elegantly tapered scripture pillars in front of the Heavenly King Hall display some of the finest Buddhist calligraphic carvings of their time, including the Śūraṅgama Mantra.
The Hall of Medicine Buddha
As Lingyin Temple's third principal sanctuary, the Hall of Medicine Buddha measures approximately 20 meters long and 12 meters wide. It displays Abbot Guangquan's calligraphic plaque proclaiming divine protection. Its sacred triad features Three Saints of the East: the Medicine Buddha, the Sunlight Bodhisattva, and the Moonlight Bodhisattva. Seated in lotus position on the central pedestal is the Medicine Buddha, lord of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World, revered as the "Great Healing King Buddha."
The 500 Arhats Hall
Constructed in 2000, this hall of Lingyin Temple houses 500 bronze Arhat statues with diverse expressions, each averaging about 1.7 meters in height. Within the hall stands the newly built Lingyin Bronze Shrine, reaching 12.62 meters tall, which is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest bronze hall.
Jigong Hall
Jigong Hall is located to the left of the Hall of Medicine Buddha. The lifelike statue of Jigong is surrounded by 18 exquisite murals, each 3 meters high with a total length of 50 meters, depicting his legendary life. Jigong first became a monk at Guoqing Temple, then moved to Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. The hall preserves his handprint stone and a broken palm-leaf fan. The famous legend "The Mad Monk's Revenge against Qin Hui" took place here.
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Top Things to Do in Lingyin Temple
Admire the Stone Carvings of Feilai Peak
As part of the Lingyin Feilai Feng Scenic Area, the ancient Buddhist grottoes of Feilai Peak are an essential attraction alongside the famous Lingyin Temple. In the caves on the Feilai Peak, there are some 470 Buddhist stone carvings dating back to the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and the Yuan Dynasty (1271 -1368). These elegant carvings are of high artistic value. The most famous statue is the big-bellied Maitreya Buddha with a beaming smile, which is a representative work of Song Dynasty sculpture.
Discover the Cultural Relics
As one of the must-visit attractions in Hangzhou, Lingyin Temple surprises tourists with its numerous cultural relics. Except for the stone pillars and pagodas, the collection also includes priceless Tang Dynasty Buddhist manuscripts from Dunhuang, Ming calligraphy master Dong Qichang's Diamond Sutra, Emperor Qianlong's personal writings, and spiritual calligraphy by renowned monk Hongyi. In addition, the temple houses many exquisite Buddhist artworks, such as Buddha statues and murals, that should not be missed.
Zen Meditation at Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple is one of the birthplaces of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Visit there at 6:30 am when the temple gates first open, and take a stroll along the centuries-old path in front of the Heavenly King Hall, watching monks perform morning rituals with dew underfoot. You can participate in meditation courses, through which you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist culture while relaxing both body and mind.
Take Part in the Buddhist Activities
During your Hangzhou tour at Lingyin Temple, you can offer incense (three sticks), write prayer plaques, and attend Buddhist activities. Lingyin Laba Festival is one of the most famous activities held on December 8th in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2021. This activity includes Buddhist rituals like mass alms-giving by thousands of monks and sutra lectures by the abbot, along with the folk tradition of porridge distribution. Besides, don't miss the animal liberation ceremony arranged on the 15th day of each lunar month.
Taste Lingyin Temple Vegetarian Cuisine
The vegetarian food at Lingyin Temple is famous for its careful ingredient selection and exquisite preparation. Shifang Yuan is a popular vegetarian restaurant at the entrance of the temple. Its meat-free creations like mushroom-gluten stew and "vegetarian goose" redefine plant-based dining. It also serves Luohan noodles (20-30 yuan/bowl), including longevity noodles (soup noodles) with mushrooms and bamboo shoots in flavorful broth and the tasty chilled mixed noodles (dry noodles).
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Best Time to Visit Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou can be toured all year round, and the best times to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Spring brings vibrant blossoms and perfect photography light, while autumn drapes the hillsides in fiery foliage ideal for scenic hikes. If you prefer serene tranquility, winter is also a good time to go. Additionally, early morning (6:30-8:30) is the best time of day to visit with the fewest crowds and freshest air, ideal for quiet Buddhist worship. Just check out Hangzhou’s weather before you go.
Lingyin Temple Travel Tips
- When taking photos of Lingyin Temple, you can capture the buildings and exteriors. Out of respect, photography of Buddha statues is prohibited.
- Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees, removing headwear and sunglasses.
- Enter through side gates (not main entrance), and never step on raised door thresholds.
- Don't forget insect repellent! The mountain insects here are notoriously aggressive biters.
- If you travel independently, remember to obtain a Lingyin Temple map at the entrance to better comprehend the temple's layout.
>> See more Hangzhou travel tips
How to Get to Lingyin Temple
When traveling in Hangzhou, it’s easy for you to get to Lingyin Temple by bus and tourist shuttle.
Getting to Lingyin Temple from West Lake and Major Transport Hubs
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