The Beamless Hall of Linggu Temple

The Beamless Hall of Linggu Temple

The Beamless Hall of Linggu Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Linggu Temple is situated at the southeastern foot of Zhongshan Mountain, east of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, approximately 1.5 kilometers away. Its former name was Kai Shan Temple, which was built on Dulong Hill. It was constructed by Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, Xiao Yan, to bury the remains of the renowned monk Baozhi, and the temple also contained the Bao Gong Pagoda. In the 14th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1381 AD), Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, intending to build the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum on Dulong Hill, relocated the temple and pagoda to this site and renamed it Linggu Chan Temple.

???? Originally, Linggu Temple covered a large area with numerous halls. However, a great fire during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty left only the Beamless Hall standing. This hall survived because it was entirely built of brick without using any timber. It was later renovated during the Tongzhi reign, but its scale was significantly reduced. Today, only the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Beamless Hall, Xuanzang Memorial Hall, Scripture Depository, Dharma Hall, and Ancestral Hall remain. The memorial hall houses a statue of Xuanzang, in front of which stands a memorial stupa containing Xuanzang’s skull relic. On both sides are displayed 317 volumes of Buddhist scriptures translated or compiled by Xuanzang. The backyard is a garden named “Shensong Jueyuan,” featuring the Songfeng Pavilion and offering serene and beautiful scenery.

???? Between 1928 and the government period, the temple was converted into the “National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery.” Structures such as the main gate, memorial archway, cemetery, and memorial tower were built, and the Beamless Hall was repurposed as a memorial chapel, while the Songfeng Pavilion became a memorial museum.

The Beamless Hall is located within Linggu Temple. Originally called the Wuliang Hall, it was dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Life. Because the entire hall was constructed entirely of brick without using a single piece of wood or nail, it came to be known as the Beamless Hall. It stands 22 meters high, 53.8 meters wide, and 37.8 meters deep, with three arched gates on the front and back and windows on all four sides. Its structure is robust, its style unique, and its presence majestic, making it the largest beamless hall in China. Starting in 1928, it was repurposed as a memorial chapel for fallen soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army, housing memorial plaques for the martyrs. The walls are inlaid with 110 stone tablets inscribed with the names of over 33,000 soldiers who died during the Northern Expedition. After the founding of the People’s Republic, a “Wax Museum of Famous Figures from the Xinhai Revolution” was established inside the hall. Themed “Light of China,” it features ten sets of wax figures representing the most influential events of the Xinhai Revolution, including the establishment of the revolutionary party, revolutionary propaganda, overseas Chinese support, armed struggle, the Wuchang Uprising, the founding of the Republic, defending the republic, KMT-CPC cooperation, the establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy, and the Northern Expedition. A total of 38 life-sized wax figures of notable figures, such as Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing, Cai E, Liao Zhongkai, and others, recreate the heroic images of these historical figures.

Behind the Beamless Hall is the Songfeng Pavilion, a double-layered building with nine bays and a reinforced concrete structure, constructed in later years. Climbing the pavilion offers views of a sea of pine crowns and the sound of rustling pines, providing a uniquely delightful experience. “Linggu Maple Wind” is one of the scenic highlights of Zhongshan Mountain. The pavilion now houses a teahouse, restaurant, and souvenir shop for visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery. To the west of the pavilion is the Bao Gong Pagoda, the tomb stupa of the eminent monk Baozhi, relocated from Dulong Hill. South of the pagoda is the “Three Wonders Stele,” which features a painting of Baozhi by the famous Tang Dynasty artist Wu Daozi, a praising poem by the great poet Li Bai, and calligraphy by the master Yan Zhenqing. The convergence of masterpieces by these three great artists on a single stele is extremely rare, hence it is called the “Three Wonders.”

Behind the Songfeng Pavilion is the Linggu Pagoda, also known as the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Memorial Tower. Completed in 1933, it has nine stories and eight sides, standing 60.5 meters tall. Inside, there are 252 steps of a spiral staircase. The front gate at the base is inscribed with the characters “Linggu Pagoda,” and the back gate bears the inscription “Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way.” The walls from the 2nd to 4th floors are engraved with Sun Yat-sen’s farewell speech delivered to the faculty and students of the Whampoa Military Academy in November 1924 during his northern expedition. The walls from the 5th to 8th floors feature his inaugural speech given at the Whampoa Military Academy in June 1924. Climbing to the top of the pagoda, you can enjoy the rustling pines and take in panoramic views of nearby scenic spots and historic sites. The Linggu Temple area has now been developed into Linggu Temple Park, becoming a popular suburban destination for residents of Nanjing.

To the east of Linggu Temple are the tombs of Deng Yanda and Tan Yankai. Deng Yanda was originally a regiment commander in the army, an early member of the Tongmenghui, and a staunch supporter of Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People, opposing Chiang Kai-shek’s military dictatorship. He was secretly arrested by Chiang in Shanghai in 1931 and executed in Nanjing. After the founding of the People’s Republic, he was recognized as a martyr, and his tomb was built on the hillside east of Linggu Temple, with the inscription “Tomb of Martyr Deng Yanda” written by He Xiangning, and his life story inscribed on the back. Tan Yankai was a member of the Central Committee, having served as Chairman of the National Government and President of the Executive Yuan. He passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1930, and the National Government held a state funeral for him. His tomb is located on the northeastern hillside of Linggu Temple, relatively grand, surrounded by beautiful scenery. To its west lies the “Ten Thousand Osmanthus Garden,” where various types of osmanthus trees—golden, silver, and red—are planted abundantly. Pavilions are scattered throughout, creating a tranquil and pleasant environment, making it an ideal spot for leisure and sightseeing.

In recent years, a “Purple Mountain Amusement Park” has been newly built to the east of Linggu Temple. It features China’s longest forest slide, stretching 450 meters with a height difference of 28 meters. The surrounding area boasts beautiful forests and valleys, lush mountains, clear waters, and picturesque scenery.

Address: No. 2 Linggu Temple, Linggu Temple Scenic Area, Xuanwu District, Nanjing (near Nanjing Sport Institute)

Type: Historical Architecture

Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes

Phone: 025-84446443

Opening Hours:

6:30-18:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the 35 RMB Linggu Temple Scenic Area ticket.

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units