The ancient temple of Taishan, also known as the Guo Guo Chan Temple, has stood for nearly 800 years since its construction during the Southern Song Dynasty’s Jiading period. It is located in the Xixi Scenic Area of Dongtai City, neighboring the Haichun Xuan Pagoda.
The temple complex includes the Vajra Hall, Jade Buddha Pavilion, Mahavira Hall, Dongyue Hall, Bixia Palace, the Hall of the Four Famous Mountains, Fan Yun Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, and the Guanyin Hall, among other structures.
The temple was bestowed the name ‘Wu Yu Hall’ by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, and Empress Dowager Cixi inscribed ‘Peace Year After Year’. Historical figures such as Song Dynasty’s famous minister Fan Zhongyan and the iron-mouthed and copper-toothed Xiang Zuo Liu Yong have left behind their calligraphy and poems in the collection ‘Visiting Bixia Palace’, making them precious treasures of the temple. Additionally, the temple houses a collection of ancient artifacts including a Han Dynasty sword, a Tang Dynasty halberd, ancient stone lions, and ancient stone carvings of the mountain gate.
The temple is open from January 1st to June 30th from 08:00 to 18:00; from July 1st to October 31st from 08:00 to 21:00; and from November 1st to December 31st from 08:00 to 18:00. A must-see tip: there is a parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area.
Taishan Guo Guo Chan Temple
The ancient temple of Taishan, also known as the Guo Guo Chan Temple, has stood for nearly 800 years since […]
