Guangfu Temple at Turtle Head Isle

Turtle Head Isle Guangfu Temple

Turtle Head Isle Guangfu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guangfu Temple is located within the Taihu Lake Turtle Head Isle Scenic Area, at the boundary between the "Spring Waves of Turtle Head" and "Snow Rolling Waves" vistas. Nestled against the mountain and facing the lake, it sits north and faces south. During the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties period, a Guangfu Nunnery, also known as Qiaoyan Temple, was built on the hill behind Turtle Head Isle. The ancient temple stood amid tall trees and experienced cycles of prosperity and decline. In the autumn of 1925, Monk Liangru raised funds from local gentry Yang Hansi to acquire ten acres of land, which were used to expand structures such as the bell tower, drum tower, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Bowl-Edge Hall, Huayu Pavilion, and Huayan Retreat. With the intention of “bringing people from all over the land to this blessed paradise,” it was named “Guangfu Temple” (Temple of Vast Blessings), and enjoyed flourishing incense offerings.

In 1966, when the Cultural Revolution began, the temple buildings were repurposed, and Buddhist statues and cultural relics were severely damaged. Almost all the plaques inscribed by notable figures such as Zhang Jian, Lin Sen, and Wu Zhihui were destroyed, and all Buddhist activities ceased. It was not until 1980 that Guangfu Temple was returned to the municipal Buddhist association. The Four Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Buddha, and the Bodhisattvas Guanyin and Ksitigarbha were re-cast, and the Eighteen Arhats were brought in from Beijing. Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China, inscribed the plaque “0 Jue” (Awakening), and Wei Tianchi wrote the temple name plaque “Guangfu Temple.” Religious activities resumed. Within the temple, the monk’s quarters “Huayan Retreat” house three treasured artifacts: an ostrich egg, an ancient painting titled “Hundred Birds,” and an iron whip belonging to Yang Ziyan, a righteous anti-Qing resistance fighter from the late Ming Dynasty. There is also the “Retreat House” of five rooms built by Cai Jiansan.

The architectural layout follows a traditional pattern, featuring structures such as the bell and drum towers, Heavenly King Hall, and Mahavira Hall, along with auxiliary buildings including Taozhu Pavilion, Bowl-Edge Hall, Huayu Pavilion, Huayan Retreat, and Retreat House. Though comprising only twenty-odd rooms, the layout is well-arranged, staggered pleasingly, and set in a tranquil environment that offers views over Taihu Lake, occupying a prime spot by the lake and mountain. To the east of Guangfu Temple lies the “Little South Sea,” a vegetarian site shaded by bamboo groves and established through the fundraising efforts of Monk Pushan. It serves as a sacred site for the Goddess Guanyin. The vegetarian noodles and dishes here are renowned far and wide.

Address: Uphill to the east of Chenshen Pavilion, Chongshan, Turtle Head Isle, Taihu Lake, Wuxi City

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0510-5552090

Opening hours:

8:00–17:30 (Gate closes at 16:30; no new visitors allowed after this time, but those already inside may continue exploring); Winter hours: 8:30–17:00