Lingyin Temple: Hangzhou's mystical attraction

Surrounded by the beauty of the Wulin Mountains, Lingyin Temple is one of Hangzhou's best touristic attractions and an important reference for Buddhist culture in China. A visit here is not only an experience of Chan Buddhism, but a mystical experience of nature and peace walking through the cliffs and grottoes surrounding the temple. Its uniqueness is both in the magnificence of the temple's halls and pagodas and in its idyllic natural surroundings.

Located in the north west of the city, not far from the West Lake, Lingyin Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China, founded in the late 328 CE by monk Hui Li, immediately after his return from India. The temple reached its peak splendor during the Kingdom of Wuyue (907-978 CE), hosting at that time more than 3000 monks of the Chan sect. Having suffered many marauders during its history, it has been rebuilt several times. The current buildings are a modern restoration and nowadays the temple is regarded as one of the wealthiest monasteries in China, as well as a famous destination for both pilgrims and tourists.

The monastery is the largest of several temples stretching along the Wulin Mountains (武林山); Wulin is the traditional name for Tangshanshui (唐山水) and refers to the three sided mountain group surrounding the West Lake. A beautiful landscape of millenary trees and wild rocks surrounds the Lingyin area, today marketed as the Lingyin-Feilai Feng Scenic Area. It is home to many historic buildings and artworks, including pagodas, pavilions, bridges, and statues which visitors can reach through different paths departing from the temple's main axes. At the entrance, a four character inscription "The Western Heaven is between 0.8 to one foot away" (咫尺西天) welcomes visitors to an unforgettable experience. Proceeding down the road from the entrance, on the left is Feilai Feng (飞来峰) known as the "The Flying Peak" and Lingyin Hill (灵隐) on the right. The largest stone pagoda is Elder Li's Pagoda (理公塔), which is located near the entrance and houses the ashes of the founder of Lingyin, monk Hui Li.

The peak Feilai Feng is so-named because it is made of limestone, giving it a very different appearance from the surrounding mountains. According to legend, the peak was originally from India but flew to Hangzhou overnight to show the omnipotence of Buddhist law. The surface of the peak is dotted by many carvings and a walk along it reveals a large number of grottoes, caves and pagodas of religious significance. Of particular relevance is the main cave dedicated to the bodhisattva Guanyin.

On the right hand side of the entrance is the main temple complex itself. The main axis stretches up the Lingyin Hill following a traditional Song Dynasty five-hall Chan sect structure. Only the front three halls though are a part of the Qing Dynasty axis while the rest is a recent creation.