Linggu Temple in Nanjing

Linggu Temple in Nanjing

Linggu Temple in Nanjing is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing.

Linggu Temple is a scenic area composed of temple architecture, the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery, and Linggu Park. Due to historical reasons, it is still commonly referred to as Linggu Temple. Located at the southeastern foot of Purple Mountain, it was one of the three major Buddhist temples during the Ming Dynasty. Purple Mountain has been a sacred Buddhist site since the Six Dynasties period. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, there were already more than 70 temples of various sizes in the surrounding area. By the Ming Dynasty, most of these temples had been destroyed over time, with only a few, such as Jiangshan Temple, Dinglin Temple, and Songxi Temple in the Longgang area on the southern foothills, remaining well-preserved.

The predecessor of Linggu Temple was Kaishan Temple located in Longgang. In the 13th year of the Tianjian era (514 AD) during the Southern Dynasties, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty built Kaishan Retreat and Zhigong Pagoda in Longgang to bury Monk Baozhi. It was renamed Baogong Monastery during the Tang Dynasty, then changed to Taiping Xingguo Chan Temple during the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Northern Song Dynasty. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Jiangshan Temple. To build the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Zhu Yuanzhang selected this auspicious land in Longgang and ordered all nearby temples, including Jiangshan Temple, to be relocated to the eastern foothills of Purple Mountain and merged into one temple. Because the terrain of Linggu Temple lies in a valley “flanked by clusters of mountains and steep ridges,” it was named “Linggu Temple” (Temple of the Spiritual Valley).

When Linggu Temple was first built, it was grand in scale, with numerous halls, towering pagodas, stretching 2.5 kilometers from the mountain gate to the main hall, covering an area of about 500 acres, and housing 1,000 monks. No wonder Zhu Yuanzhang regarded it as a masterpiece and personally inscribed the plaque “First Chan Forest.” Unfortunately, later ravaged by war, only the Beamless Hall survived. By the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, when Linggu Temple was rebuilt, its scale was far less than before. However, with its red walls, yellow tiles, lush pine trees, fragrant flowers, birdsong, and tranquil environment, it still retained the beauty of the “Deep Autumn at Linggu.” Linggu Temple mainly consists of the Hongshan Gate, the Martyrs’ Memorial Archway, the Wuliang Hall, the Songfeng Pavilion, the Linggu Tower, the Bao Gong Tower, the Three Wonders Stele, and the Pipa Street.

The scale of Linggu Temple during the Ming Dynasty was much larger than it is today. Other structures included the Vajra Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Five Directions Hall, the Pilu Hall, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Meditation Hall, the Guest Rooms, and the Abbot’s Quarters. By the mid-Qing Dynasty, Linggu Temple regained its former glory. In addition to the restoration of the halls, it became famous for the “Eight Scenic Spots of Linggu.” These eight scenes were: Clear Clouds over Zhong Mountain, Autumn Moon over the Pagoda, Ancient Temple Bell Sounds, Pine Shadows over the Jade Pond, Ginkgo Trees under Sunset Glow, Murmuring Springs among Bamboo, Echoes in the Empty Valley, and Winding Streams with Flowing Cups. These landscapes have endured many trials, especially during the Taiping Rebellion when the Taiping Army and Qing forces used the area as a battlefield, severely damaging the temple structures. Only the Brick Hall, built entirely of brick, remained intact.

The Beamless Hall is the only surviving structure from the Ming Dynasty Linggu Temple, named after the statue of the Buddha of Infinite Life enshrined inside. Since the hall features a brick-and-stone arched structure without wooden beams, it is commonly known as the “Beamless Hall.” Built in the 14th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1381 AD), it has a history of over 600 years. The hall is 53.8 meters long from east to west, with a spacious terrace in front, spanning five bays in width and three in depth. Although it has undergone multiple renovations, its structure has remained unchanged.

The roof is a double-eaved, nine-ridged structure covered with glazed tiles. The three glazed tile pagodas on the roof ridge are unique. Its architectural structure broke away from the traditional post-and-lintel framework of ancient Chinese buildings. There are no beams or columns anywhere in the building—all constructed entirely from bricks. It adopted the construction method of ancient Chinese stone arch bridges, using bricks to create five arches at the base, which were then joined to form a large arched roof. Each of the five open sections is an individual arch, arranged in five rows, with the central arch being the largest, measuring 11.4 meters wide and 14 meters high. Although the interior follows an arch structure, the exterior mimics wooden architecture, featuring projecting brackets under the eaves and even windows and doors on the facade. It is a building constructed through a complex combination of various arch techniques.

Its solid structure, majestic presence, and exquisite craftsmanship are truly unparalleled. Although similar beamless halls exist in other parts of China—such as Baoguo Temple in Ningbo, Zhejiang; Xiantong Temple on Mount Wutai, Shanxi; Shuizuo Temple in Taiyuan; Wannian Temple on Mount Emei, Sichuan; and Kaiyuan Temple in Suzhou—the Linggu Temple Beamless Hall stands out with its unique and refined architectural structure and techniques. It fully showcases the exceptional architectural artistry of ancient Chinese laborers.

The hall currently displays wax figures of notable figures from the Xinhai Revolution, showcasing 57 prominent individuals before and after the revolution. These wax figures were created at life size (1:1), based on historical photos and materials, referencing various angles of the subjects, and grouped into 22 dynamic scenes with narrative elements. The lifelike and vivid figures recreate the dramatic moments of the revolutionary pioneers.

Behind the Beamless Hall lies the First Public Cemetery. Due to the large number of fallen soldiers, the cemetery could not accommodate everyone. Soldiers were buried by division, with representatives selected by drawing lots—one from each rank. On the north side of the cemetery, at the eastern and western ends of the tomb wall, stand two stele pillars: the Memorial Stele for the 19th Route Army and the 5th Army’s Martyrs of the Shanghai-Hangzhou Battle. These two monuments have become one of Nanjing’s commemorative sites for the Anti-Japanese War and serve as bases for patriotic education among youth. Other attractions lie further back, where the verdant scenery blends with distant mountains and endless skies, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the ambiance of Linggu’s charm—“countless pines reaching the sky, with a secluded path winding through.”

Suggested Visit Duration

2 hours

Transportation

Take Bus Tour 2 or Line Lingzhong to Linggu Temple Park Station

Ticket Price

35 RMB

Opening Hours

7:00-17:30

Location

Zhongshan Scenic Area, Xuanwu District