Temples, in addition to Buddhist grottoes, mountains, and holy landmarks such as the Leshan Giant Buddha, are an important element of China’s Buddhist legacy and culture. In China, there are several notable temples with stunning layouts and traditional Chinese architecture. Many of them are centuries old. The following are the top temples in China.
From traditional Tibetan retreats to historic imperial ruins, China‘s temples are genuinely one-of-a-kind and unlike anything else, you’ll see. With a temple or two in practically every city, rating them appears to be a near-impossible task.
Top 10 Temples in China
We are going to introduce you to the following Top 10 Temples in this china and search the services and entertainment facilities, accesses, and sights of the city.
- The Temple of Heaven, Beijing
- Nanshan Temple, Sanya
- South Putuo Temple, Xiamen
- Famen Temple, Xi’an
- Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
- Wannian Temple, Mount Emei
- Yonghe Lama Temple, Beijing
- White Horse Temple, Luoyang
- Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng
- Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou
Now, here we want to talk about them one by one in detail:
The Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Aside from viewing the temple’s gorgeous architecture, the public has access to a large park where they may practice Tai Chi, a martial art discipline that focuses on creating and directing energy inside the body.
You may also sit and relax while watching folks work out. It is regarded as the holiest of all imperial temples in imperial China, where the notion of worshiping “heaven” precedes Buddhism. The edifice, which dates back to 1420, has been designated a World Cultural Heritage.
Its design shows the mystical cosmic rules said to govern the operation of the cosmos and the balance of “heaven” and “earth.”
Nanshan Temple, Sanya
Nanshan Temple stands out against the backdrop of the sea and mountains, and it is considered an auspicious location for Buddhism.
The Golden Jade Guanyin Statue and the Sea Watch Terrace are two further highlights of the shrine. Nanshan Temple is well-known for housing the world’s tallest Guanyin Bodhisattva.
The temple’s structures, with great halls, crimson roofs, and white walls, perfectly exhibit aspects of Chinese antique architecture.
- Address: Nanshan Buddhist Tourism Area is located in Sanya, Hainan Island, South China.
South Putuo Temple, Xiamen
The Hall of Celestial Kings, Great Buddha’s Hall, the Hall of Great Mercy, and the Depository of Buddhist Texts still host legendary Bodhisattva pieces.
The place of worship hosts a thousand-help Buddha, the beautiful carving of the Chinese figure 佛 (message Buddha), Wulao Peak, and the lofty and large constructions.
- Address: 515 Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Famen Temple, Xi’an
Famen Temple is well-known for its precious Buddhist relics. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Emperor Xizongin hid certain Buddhist items in an underground palace. The discovered artifacts, which include four Bodhisattva sculptures as well as various pottery and silks, are displayed at the temple’s museum.
Famen Temple was constructed around the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). After the Terracotta Army, it is one of the must-see attractions in Xi’an. For Buddhist devotees, the temple is considered a hallowed location.
- Address: Famen Town is located in Fufeng County, Baoji Prefecture, 120 kilometers west of Xi’an.
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
Jokhang is the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims and attracts a large number of people at all hours of the day and night.
The Tang Princess Wen Cheng, the wife of King Songtsan Gampo, is said to have preferred this location. It is supposed that she had the temple erected there to ward off evil powers she felt originated from the adjacent Wutang Lake.
Between January and early March, it houses a life-sized Buddha statue and holds the Great Prayer Festival. Learn more about the Jokhang Temple.
Wannian Temple, Mount Emei
It was erected during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), then destroyed by fire and restored in 1953.
The temple has three treasures: the Beamless Hall, the Puxian Buddha, and the Tooth of Buddha.
According to folklore, a rare type of frog lives in the rectangular pond to the right of the temple, and in the evening, visitors may hear lovely noises from the pond. Find out more about Wannian Temple.
- Address: Mount Emei is located in Sichuan Province, 120 kilometers south of Chengdu.
Yonghe Lama Temple, Beijing
Three bronze Bodhisattva sculptures may be seen in the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the main chamber of Yonghe Lama Temple.
A temple fair is conducted in the temple during the Spring Festival. Learn more about Yonghe Temple. Yonghe Temple was originally established as Emperor Yongzheng’s (1693) home during the Qing Dynasty.
White Horse Temple, Luoyang
It features various halls, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Great Buddha, the Hall of Guidance, the Hall of Mahavira, and the Cool and Clear Terrace.
White Horse Temple, known as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism, was originally erected as a summer retreat for Emperor Liu Zhuang during the Han Dynasty.
Daxiangguo Temple, Kaifeng
Daxiangguo Temple, which was erected during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577), was previously utilized as a royal family prayer site and also held national Buddhist events.
In Octagonal Glazed Hall, it has one of China’s most spectacular specimens of wooden carved art – a skilled woodwork carving figure of the Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva. Find out more about Daxiangguo Temple.
- Address: The location is 54 Ziyou Road.
Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou
The temple’s halls and pavilions, as well as its numerous well-known Buddhist statues, exhibit an impressive combination of ancient Chinese architecture and cultural artifacts. on the nearby Peak that Flew Hither, a large number of grottoes and religious rock carvings complete the picture.
