Xiao Jiuhua Temple is located by the scenic Yingyue Dou Lake in Pingwang. It was founded during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming Wanli years. Covering an area of over a hundred acres, it features more than 300 halls, pavilions, and chambers, making it one of the renowned temples in the Suzhou area.
In modern times, the temple gained further fame when the Buddhist leader Master Taixu planted a laurel tree at the age of 16, took his monastic vows, and later secluded himself at Mount Putuo and traveled extensively, earning prestige throughout the Jiangnan region.
In recent years, Xiao Jiuhua Temple has restored and reconstructed the Mountain Gate Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Three Saints Hall. It has also restored and rebuilt the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, and is currently working on the restoration and reconstruction of the Sutra Library, the Ksitigarbha Pavilion, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, the Nianfo Hall, the Release Pond, and the Master Taixu Memorial Hall.
The temple frequently hosts disaster relief and deliverance ceremonies, yoga焰口 rituals, water and land Dharma assemblies, life release and protection activities, and carries out social welfare initiatives, attracting many pilgrims from surrounding areas.
Opening hours are 8:00 to 16:30 all year round.
Preferential policies for children: Children aged 6 years old (inclusive) or below, or with a height of 1.4 meters (inclusive) can enter for free with valid identification.Free for children, students, and the elderly:
Minors aged from 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive), full-time university students at the undergraduate level or below, and seniors aged 60 years old (inclusive) to 70 years old (exclusive) can enjoy half-price tickets with valid identification (please purchase preferential tickets at the scenic spot).
Half-price for seniors:
Seniors aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above can enter for free with valid identification.
Free for military personnel:
Active military personnel and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China can enter for free with valid identification.
Free for people with disabilities:
People with disabilities and one accompanying person for severely disabled individuals can enter for free with valid identification.
Additional information:
The above information is for reference only, and the actual details are subject to the public announcement at the scenic spot.
