Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple

Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple

Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple is located in the bustling heart of the ancient city, bordered by Guanqian Street to the south and facing Gong Alley. It has long been renowned for its long history, magnificent architecture, and abundant cultural relics. As a famous ancient Taoist temple in the Jiangnan region and a major scenic attraction in Suzhou, it is also one of the most important Taoist temples in China. The main hall of Xuanmiao Temple, the Sanqing Hall, was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit as early as 1982.

Xuanmiao Temple was first built in the second year of Xianning during the Western Jin Dynasty (276), originally named Zhenqing Taoist Temple. In the second year of Taiping during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (324), it was renamed Shangzhen Taoist Temple by imperial decree. In the second year of Kaiyuan during the Tang Dynasty (714), it was renamed Kaiyuan Palace and renovated with imperial funds. In the first year of Dazhong (890), it suffered damage from war, leaving only the mountain gate and the main hall. During the Zhi Dao era of the Northern Song Dynasty (995–997), it was renamed Yuching Taoist Temple. In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1009), an imperial edict changed its name to Tianqing Temple, and funds were allocated to build four corridors on the east, west, south, and north sides, along with new walls on the east and west. Professional painters created a grand mural depicting the “Scenic Splendors of the Three Heavens.” In the seventh year of Xuanhe (1125), Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Ji, granted fifty hectares of incense fields. In the fourth year of Jianyan during the Southern Song Dynasty (1130), it was destroyed by fire. From the sixteenth year of Shaoxing (1146) to the sixth year of Chunxi (1179), local officials in Suzhou, including Wang Huan, Chen Xian, and Zhao Baisu, successively oversaw its restoration and reconstruction.

In the first year of Yuanshun during the Yuan Dynasty (1295), it was first called Xuanmiao Temple. Between the 26th and 27th years of Zhizheng (1366–1367), Xuanmiao Temple suffered damage from war again but was not completely destroyed. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398), Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang reorganized religious institutions, granting Suzhou Xuanmiao Temple the status of a Zhengyi Monastery and establishing the Daoji Si (Taoist Administration Office) within the temple to manage Taoist affairs. This thousand-year-old temple became not only the main center of Taoist activity in Suzhou but also a venue for local government ceremonies and blessings, highlighting its significant role in Suzhou’s political and social life.

During the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1426–1435), the Taoist priest Zhang Zongji advocated for the construction of the Miluo Treasure Pavilion. In the third year of Zhengtong (1438), Governor Zhou Chen and Prefect Kuang Zhong donated their salaries to initiate the project, and the pavilion was completed in the fifth year of Zhengtong, adding a grand and splendid auxiliary hall to Xuanmiao Temple. Unfortunately, the pavilion was destroyed in the 30th year of the Wanli era (1602).

During the Qing Dynasty, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Kangxi, Xuanmiao Temple was renamed Yuánmiào Temple, also known as Yuánmiào Temple. It wasn’t until after the Republic of China that its original name was restored. In the 14th year of Kangxi (1675), Provincial Administration Commissioner Mu Tianyan first advocated for the reconstruction of the Miluo Treasure Pavilion, which was destroyed by fire in the 10th year of Xianfeng (1860). During the Tongzhi and Guangxu eras, the red-topped businessman Hu Xueyan personally funded the reconstruction of the pavilion.

After the victory of the Xinhai Revolution, the Wuxian Deliberative Council was established at the abbot’s quarters of Xuanmiao Temple. In the first year of the Republic of China, the Daoji Si was abolished, and the Wuxian Taoist Association was established. On the evening of August 28 of that year, the pavilion suddenly caught fire and was completely destroyed. In 1933, people from all walks of life in Suzhou built Zhongshan Hall on its former site.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, especially since the reform and opening-up, the government has invested substantial manpower and resources in multiple renovations of Xuanmiao Temple, achieving good results. To enhance the city’s overall image and to better leverage the unique roles of Xuanmiao Temple and the Guanqian area in Suzhou’s economic and social development, the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government made a strategic decision. Starting in 1999, over five years and in three phases, they carried out a renovation and renewal project in the Guanqian area. The focus of the first phase was the comprehensive maintenance and protection of Xuanmiao Temple’s ancient architecture, including the restorative reconstruction of key halls that had been destroyed, thorough cleanup and improvement of the surrounding environment, and the installation of municipal and safety facilities. After nine months of meticulous construction, the thousand-year-old Taoist temple was effectively restored and preserved. The celestial garden in the heart of the bustling city became even more enchanting, winning the affection of local citizens and attracting pilgrims and tourists from afar.

Address: No. 94 Guanqian Street, Gusu District, Suzhou

Type: Taoist Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0512-67775479

Official Website: http://www.szxmg.com/

Opening Hours:

7:30–16:45 (Ticket sales stop at 16:15)

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 10.0 RMB

Adult ticket: 10 RMB; children aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive), students, and seniors aged 60–69 receive half-price tickets with valid ID. Children under 6 or shorter than 1.2 meters, seniors over 70, retired military officers, active-duty servicemen, and people with disabilities are admitted free of charge with valid ID.