Gaomin Temple is located at the confluence of the ancient Grand Canal and Yiyang River in the southern suburbs of Yangzhou. It is collectively known as one of the four great monasteries of Chinese Buddhism along with Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, Tianning Temple in Changzhou, and Tiantong Temple in Ningbo. Both Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors used this place as their temporary palace during their visits to Yangzhou.
The architecture of Gaomin Temple is grand and spacious, yet its remote location results in fewer visitors, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The temple’s mountain gate features a hand-written plaque by Kangxi, ‘Imperially Built Gaomin Temple’, inscribed on a white jade plaque. Existing structures include the old meditation hall, recitation hall, sutra repository, jade Buddha hall, west building, water pavilion, and dormitories. The newly constructed meditation hall and Mahavira Hall are both magnificent, but the original ancient buildings have become the living quarters for monks, inaccessible to visitors. The Tianzhong Pagoda within the temple stands at nine stories high and can be seen from afar. It is said that during Kangxi’s fourth southern tour in 1703, he climbed the pagoda and, looking around, felt as if he was reaching the sky, thus naming the temple ‘Gaomin Temple’. The temple is open all year round from 8:00 to 18:30.Gaomin Temple
Gaomin Temple is located at the confluence of the ancient Grand Canal and Yiyang River in the southe[...]
