Tian Tong Temple is located at the foot of Tai Bai Mountain, 26 kilometers away from Ningbo. Its history can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty. It is one of the famous thousand-year-old temples in Ningbo. There are not many tourists and pilgrims here. Monks can often be seen walking or meditating in the temple. Even if you don’t have a Buddhist belief, coming here to feel the religious atmosphere and breathe fresh air is also a good experience. Different from other temples, Tian Tong Temple has three mountain gates. Walking up along the tree-lined path, you will pass Fuhu Pavilion, ancient mountain gate and Jingqian Pavilion in turn. From a distance on the road, you can see the Wanfo Pagoda on the mountain. Because the temple is next to Tian Tong National Forest Park, the scenery along the way is very beautiful, full of green. Further ahead, after passing through the seven stone pagodas in Qita Yuan, you will arrive at Wanggong Pool. The two pools here were originally fish release pools. Now there are still many little turtles released in one pool. On the screen wall opposite Wanggong Pool are the four characters ‘Buddhist Kingdom in Southeast’. The surrounding trees and the buildings of the temple are reflected in the pool water, which is very beautiful and attracts many tourists to take pictures here. There are many pigeons on the square next to it, scrambling for the feed thrown by tourists. Entering the temple and walking up along the mountain, the main buildings on the central axis are the Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall (Tripitaka Library) and Arhat Hall in turn. The grand buildings are connected by corridors. Therefore, when you enter the temple, you can ‘not be exposed to the sun on sunny days and not walk on wet roads on rainy days’. Now the older buildings in the temple are the Buddha Hall and Abbot Hall rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, which are simple and solemn. Inside the Dharma Hall on the west side is enshrined a gilded bronze statue of Medicine Master bestowed by Emperor Shunzhi. The East Meditation Hall is now an exhibition room for collections, displaying some Buddhist cultural relics. What cannot be missed is the Arhat Hall on the north side. The stone carvings of arhats inside are very exquisite. The characters’ expressions are natural and mature, full of charm. Climbing to Yingzhen Pavilion at a higher place, overlooking the whole view of the temple and the mountain scenery around here, the view is very broad. There are also many monuments around the pavilion, mostly erected by Japanese Buddhist groups and Buddhist people. Many pilgrims and tourists rest, enjoy the scenery and take pictures here. Going down the mountain and returning to the screen wall of ‘Buddhist Kingdom in Southeast’, walking to the left from the path next to the screen wall, not far away is the Thousand Buddha Pagoda. Near the tower, there is a sign that says ‘Ancient Tian Tong’. Following the road and walking through a relatively deserted path, you can come to the ancient Tian Tong deep in the bamboo forest. A more conventional itinerary is to visit Tian Tong Temple in the morning, take a short rest at noon, continue to climb the mountain in Tian Tong National Forest Park in the afternoon, and then return to downtown Ningbo by car. It is open from 06:00 to 17:00 all year round. The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.
Tian Tong Chan Temple
Tian Tong Temple is located at the foot of Tai Bai Mountain, 26 kilometers away from Ningbo. Its his[...]
