Nanputuo Temple: A Sacred Buddhist Site in Xiamen

Nanputuo Temple is situated beside Xiamen University, making it convenient to visit on the same day [...]

Nanputuo Temple is situated beside 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 plan to pray for blessings, this is a perfect place to visit. Behind the temple lies Wulao Peak, one of the eight scenic spots of Xiamen, which can also be visited for a mountain hiking experience. The temple dates back to the Tang Dynasty and was rebuilt during the Qing Kangxi era. It is named Nanputuo Temple because it shares the same main deity, Guanyin Bodhisattva, with the Puji Temple on Mount Putuo, and is located to the south of Mount Putuo.
The temple has two entrances, the East and West Mountain Gates, which are very close to each other, allowing visitors to enter from either gate. In front of the gates, there is a release pond with turtles and a lotus pond. Nanputuo Temple is relatively small, and if you do not plan to climb Wulao Peak, the visit can be quite brief. The main structures include the Mahavira Hall, the Great Compassion Hall, and the Scripture Pavilion (visited sequentially from the mountain gate). Flanking these are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, the Charity Building on the left, and the Universal Illumination Building on the right, which together form an imposing and magnificent sight.

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Mahavira Hall houses the Western Three Saints, the Great Compassion Hall is dedicated to Guanyin, and the Eighteen Arhats are located on the eastern and western sides. Inside the Scripture Pavilion, you can view a collection of precious Buddhist cultural relics. The temple walls retain numerous inscriptions from famous individuals, and there is a large ‘Buddha’ character carved on the cliff behind the temple, which is a popular spot for tourists’ photos. The Universal Illumination Building is the place to enjoy vegetarian meals, and those who prefer vegetarian food may consider dining here. Nanputuo Temple’s vegetarian cuisine is well-known and has won awards nationwide.

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Don’t forget to take back a few boxes of vegetarian cakes when you leave. Nanputuo vegetarian cakes have won the Golden Ding Award from ‘Famous Chinese Dishes’ and are a famous specialty of Xiamen. Available in sweet and savory flavors, if you have difficulty choosing, the popular ones include coconut, pumpkin, and mung bean flavors. Wulao Peak, known as ‘Five Elders Ascending the Sky,’ is one of the eight scenic spots of Xiamen. If you are interested in mountain hiking, it can be visited along with the temple. The temple is open year-round from 08:00 to 19:30.

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