Lingyin Temple - the Most Famous Buddhist Temples in Hangzhou

Located in the north-west of the West Lake at Hangzhou, Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most significant ancient Buddhist temples of China. It was built in 328AD by Indian Monk Huili. In its heyday, Lingyin Temple comprised 9 buildings, 18 pavilions, 77 palaces and halls with over 1,300 rooms providing accommodation for around 3,000 monks. A monastery on this scale is unimaginable.

Over the centuries, many changes took place due to wars, religious repression or other calamities. The main building that can be seen today is a result of the restoration that was carried out in 1974. This temple features a main hall extending 33.5 meters in height, a statue of Sakyamuni carved out of 24 pieces of camphor wood and a laughing Buddha covered in gold. With its long history and charming scenery, Lingyin Temple attracts thousands of visitors and Buddhist faithful every day.

• Chinese: 灵隐寺 Lingyin Si /ling-yin-srr/
• Location: in Fei Lai Feng Scenic Area, northwest of West Lake and west of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
• Opening Hours: 7 am – 6 pm daily
• Admission: CNY30 for Lingyin Temple + CNY45 for Fei Lai Feng Scenic Area
• Recommended length to stay: 1-2 hours

Highlights to Visit in Lingyin Temple

Three main buildings of Lingyin Temple stands in the central axis, namely, the Hall of the Heavenly King, the Mahavira Hall and the Hall of Medicine Buddha.

1. The Hall of the Heavenly King

In the center of the Hall of the Heavenly King sits a statue of Maitreya – the laughing Buddha. With about 24 meters long and 15 meters wide, the fat, bare and bellied Buddha, sitting cross legged futon, smiles.The Buddhist altar facing away from the mountain gate enshrines the statue of Wei Tuo, a Buddhist patron saint. It is two and a half meters tall, wearing a golden helmet and wrapped in armor. Carved in camphor wood, this statue is a precious relic from the Southern Song Dynasty to the present and has a history of more than 700 years. On both sides of the Hall of Heavenly Kings are four statuettes of Heavenly Kings, each eight meters high, all wearing heavy armor. Two of them are majestic in form and two intrepid, commonly known as the Four King Kongs. The "Yunlin Chan Temple" plaque was hung above the Temple of Heavenly King, which was inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

2. The Mahavira Hall

Behind the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall is separated by a large courtyard with ancient trees that reach into the skies. It is the best preserved monolayer multiple-eaves temple building in China which is quite majestic with a height of 33.6m. A magnificent statue of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, is sitting in the very heart of the Hall of the Mahavira Hall - the main hall in Lingyin temple. It's one of the largest wooden sitting Buddhas in China. On the back wall of the hall, there are over 150 relievos with great artistic values, vividly portraying some Buddhist stories about Avalokitesvara, and Sakyamuni.

3. The Hall of Medicine Buddha

Behind the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Medicine Buddha is the third hall in Lingyin Temple. Inside the hall worships the statues of Medicine Buddha, flanked by two Bodhisattvas - Suryaprabha and Candraprabha, symbolizing sunlight and moonlight respectively. It's said that the Medicine Buddha can make all living beings free from suffering and relieve the pain and disaster. Suryaprabha, holding the sun in his hand, symbolizing the light; Candraprabha, holding the moon in the hand, symbolizing the coolness.

Transportation - How to Get to Lingyin Temple?

• From Hangzhou Railway Station (11 km): Take Bus No. 7/K7, K807, 1/Y1, 2/Y2 to Linyin Stop (in Chinese: 灵隐站).
• From Hangzhou (XiaoShan) Airport (37 km): There is a shuttle coach from the airport to Hangzhou Railway Station which departs approximately every 30-40 minutes. From the train station there are public buses and taxis available.
• Private transfer with a driver and guide: It will be more convenient and comfortable. This way you don't have to worry about getting lost and you can also obtain the general comprehension about the temple on the way there.