Nanputuo Temple is located adjacent to Xiamen University, making it convenient to visit on the same day as the university tour. It is a renowned Buddhist temple not only in the Southern Fujian region but also throughout the country. If you are planning to pray for blessings, this is a perfect place to pay your respects. Behind the temple stands the Wulaofeng Peak, which is one of the top eight scenic spots in Xiamen.
Those interested in mountain hiking can also enjoy climbing the peak as part of their visit. The temple dates back to the Tang Dynasty and was reconstructed during the Qing Kangxi period. It is named Nanputuo Temple because it shares the same main deity as Putuo Mountain’s Puji Temple, the Goddess of Mercy, and is located to the south of Putuo Mountain. Outside the temple, there are two gates, the East and West Mountain Gates, which are in close proximity, so visitors can enter through either gate. The Release Pond is situated midway between the two gates, inhabited by turtles, with a lotus pond in front. Nanputuo Temple is relatively small, and the visit can be brief if there are no plans to climb Wulaofeng Peak. The main structures include the Mahavira Hall, the Great Compassion Hall, and the Sutra Pavilion (visited in sequence from the mountain gate). Flanking these are the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, with the Charity Building on the left and the Universal Illumination Building on the right, forming a symmetrical and magnificent layout. The Mahavira Hall houses the Western Three Saints, while the Great Compassion Hall enshrines the Goddess of Mercy, with the eighteen Arhats positioned in the eastern and western wings. Inside the Sutra Pavilion, one can admire a variety of precious Buddhist artifacts. Around the temple, numerous inscriptions by celebrities are preserved, and a large-scale stone carving of the character ‘Buddha’ on the cliff behind the temple is a popular spot for tourists to take photos. The Universal Illumination Building is the place to enjoy vegetarian meals, which is recommended for those who prefer a plant-based diet. Nanputuo Temple’s vegetarian cuisine is quite famous and has won awards nationwide. Don’t forget to take home a few boxes of vegetarian biscuits; Nanputuo’s vegetarian biscuits have won the Golden Ding Award for ‘Famous Chinese Pastries’ and are a well-known specialty of Xiamen. They come in various flavors, both sweet and savory. If you have difficulty choosing, the coconut, pumpkin, and mung bean flavors are highly recommended. Wulaofeng Peak, also known as ‘Five Elders Ascending the Sky,’ is one of Xiamen’s eight major scenic spots. Those who wish to enjoy mountain hiking can also take this opportunity to climb the peak. The temple is open all year round from 08:00 to 19:30.Nanputuo Temple
Nanputuo Temple is located adjacent to Xiamen University, making it convenient to visit on the same [...]
