Wuxi Changtai Temple

Wuxi Changtai Temple

Wuxi Changtai Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located at the eastern foot of Changtai Mountain in Xuelang Subdistrict, Changtai Chan Temple was first built in 535 during the first year of the Datong era of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties. It fell into disuse around 609 during the fifth year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty. The temple was rebuilt in 675 during the second year of the Shangyuan era of the Tang Dynasty and has since survived through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. At its peak, it comprised as many as 5,048 structures. As one of the “Four Hundred and Eighty Temples of the Southern Dynasties,” Changtai Temple, over its more than 1,400 years of history, has hosted numerous eminent monks renowned across the Jiangnan region. Not only was it notable for being established early and for its grand scale, but it also boasted a unique cultural heritage — the “Eight Scenic Spots of Changtai.”

The Thousand Monks’ Well: This well connects to a mountain spring and never dries up even in severe droughts. The Hat-Retaining Pavilion: Legend says an immortal left his hat here before departing, and later a pavilion was built from nanmu wood in his memory. The Giant’s Footprint: It is said that the Arhat Monk Sengqie left a footprint over two feet long on the cliff rock, which sometimes appears faintly after heavy rain, showing the shadow of the arhat. The Painted Cat Wall: Legend has it that Tang Yin of the Ming Dynasty painted a cat on the temple wall; its claws and teeth were vivid, its eyes sharp and fearsome, causing mice and sparrows to flee at the sight. The Jade Mirror Pavilion: An exquisitely built structure where, when looking up toward the mountainside, you can enjoy the view described as “ten miles of fragrant clouds and mist drift by, with pine and cypress trees arching like emerald waves.” The Song Dynasty Cypress: Planted during the Song Dynasty, this ancient and vigorous tree was listed as a provincial second-class cultural relic after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, surviving until it was destroyed in 1966. The Ancient Ginkgo: Over 500 years old, so large that four people cannot encircle its trunk, with gnarled branches reaching skyward and a height of nearly 30 meters. It still bears abundant fruit every autumn, the seeds large and fragrant. The Diamond Sutra Carvings: During his visit to Changtai, the great Song Dynasty literary figure Su Shi, invited by the monks, handwrote the “Diamond Sutra,” which was then engraved onto 12 stone tablets. The calligraphy is rich and dynamic. Over the centuries, the “Eight Scenic Spots of Changtai” have undergone many changes. Today, the ancient ginkgo remains in its original location; the Thousand Monks’ Well was excavated to over ten meters deep in the spring of 2005 and has been restored to its original form, with Song Dynasty green bricks and stones lining the interior. Ten and a half stone carvings of Su Dongpo’s handwritten Diamond Sutra, originally housed at Kaiyuan Temple in Wuxi’s Meiyuan Garden, have now been returned to Changtai Temple. Three of the “Eight Scenic Spots” have been restored. Additionally, a vertical plaque inscribed with “Imperially Commissioned Changtai Temple Chan Hall” from the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign in the Qing Dynasty has been returned to the temple from private hands.

In 1997, with government approval, Changtai Temple was rebuilt on its original site. Structures completed include the mountain gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Liberation Pond, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Bell Tower, the Jade Buddha Building, the Dining Hall, the Kitchen, and the Monks’ Quarters. During the reconstruction, significant support was provided by Hong Kong compatriots from Wuxi. Many of them visited the temple with their families, offered incense and worshipped in the main hall, took photos under the ancient ginkgo tree, reminisced about the “Eight Scenic Spots of Changtai,” and reflected on the vicissitudes of history. War reduced this thousand-year-old temple to ruins, but political stability and harmonious governance have brought about its revival and reconstruction, building a heartfelt bridge for Hong Kong compatriots and overseas Chinese to reconnect with their roots.

Transportation Guide

Address: Siquan Village, Nanquan Town, Binhu District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province

Transit: Take the Tangqian Special Line bus within Wuxi City and get off at Tangcao Village Station.