Overview:

Hangzhou Lingyin Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Western Hills of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in eastern China. Established in 326 CE (Jin Dynasty), it is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in China. Hangzhou Lingyin Temple is known for its grand architecture, numerous sculptures and carvings, elegant rockeries and landscaped gardens, and its three main halls, the Grand Hall, Founders Hall, and Precious Hall of the Great Sage. It is also the site of several large-scale Buddhist events such as The Great Compassion Ceremony and the Buddhist College Forum. The temple is a popular tourist attraction in the area, attracting over 8 million visitors annually. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Grand Hall of Great Perfection (大成殿): This is an imposing building at the entrance of the temple and is the main archway of the complex. 2. Nine Dragon Hall (九龍殿): This hall has nine impressive statues of dragons and is the largest hall in the temple. 3. Grand Hall of Mahavira (大雄寶殿): This imposing structure is one of the most important buildings in the complex. It houses an immense statue of Amitabha Tathagata of Mahavira, which stands at an impressive 70 feet in height. 4. Pavilion of Celestial Kings (天王亭): This hall is the spiritual home for the four Celestial Kings in Buddhism. 5. Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿): This hall is dedicated to the five celestial gods of Chinese mythology. 6. Pavilion of Abundant Blessings (蓮花坊): Located in the main courtyard, this pavilion stands as a symbol of abundance. 7. Hall of Skanda (文殊院): Dedicated to the deity of wisdom, this hall stands tall amongst the other buildings in the complex. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

Hangzhou Lingyin Temple, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of the largest and most famous Buddhist temples in China. The temple, founded in 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its long history. The temple’s name literally translates to “Soul's Retreat”. It is home to many of China's most revered Buddhist statues, and is considered a sacred place by both locals and pilgrims. In addition to religious activities, the ancient temple has also been the site of many academic conferences. In the late Qing Dynasty, many flocked to the temple to discuss revolutionary ideals. Since then, the temple has been the destination of many important dignitaries, both foreign and domestic. The Lingyin Temple complex is large and sprawling; consisting of the Ancestral Hall, the Grand Hall, various pavilions, the Donglin Pavilion for incantations and offerings, the Dajue Chanzang Palace, the Bell Tower, three separate stupas, and many padas or rostrums for reciting scriptures. The Grand Hall houses statues of Sakyamuni, Amitabha, Vairocana, and other buddhas. A number of other famous religious artifacts can also be found at the temple, including a 3.8 meters high standing statue of Samantabhadra, which was carved out of 24 pieces of white jade. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most famous temples in China, and the earliest record of its construction dates back to 326 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. 2. The name 'Lingyin' means "Soul's Retreat" and it is associated with theIndian Buddhist monk Huiyan, who is said to have been inspired by the temple’s beauty and peaceful atmosphere to select it as a place to meditate. 3. The temple is comprised of an impressive collection of 960 carved statues, all of which are made of gold, bronze, marble, or stone and date back as far as the 8th century. 4. In 2014, the temple was featured in the beautiful and moving movie "Lost in Thailand" which was written, directed, and produced by Chinese businessmen and film producer Xu Zheng. 5. The temple is home to two of the most famous statues in China. The first is the Laughing Buddha, a statue of an obese and happy monk. The second is a white jade statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, said to have been crafted by the artist Yu Hualong during the Tang Dynasty. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era