Suzhou Wenshan Temple

Suzhou Wenshan Temple

Suzhou Wenshan Temple is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Wenshan Temple is situated in Wenchengxiang Lane in the northwest of Gusu Ancient City and is the only nunnery (commonly known as a Buddhist convent) in Suzhou. Although it is not as prominent as Xiyuan Temple, Hanshan Temple, or Lingyan Mountain Temple, it has a rich history of over 800 years. The temple sits against Taohuawu and faces Zhongshi, covering a current area of 2,206.19 square meters with a construction area of 2,889.69 square meters. As an ancient temple from the Southern Song Dynasty, it has a history of more than 800 years.

The original site of Wenshan Temple was shared by three temples: Wenshan Temple, Chaoyin Nunnery, and Yunlin Nunnery. Over time, it experienced repeated rises and declines, enduring much vicissitude. Wenshan Temple is associated with the historical figure Wen Tianxiang. After 1958, the temple was converted into a bhikkhuni monastery. During the Cultural Revolution, it was not spared and was occupied by several factories. In October 1988, following the implementation of the Party’s religious policies, with the support and assistance of municipal and district government departments, the ancient temple was returned and restored. It was officially approved for reopening in 1990, becoming the only nunnery in Suzhou’s ancient city district.

Wenshan Temple features a well-organized layout, grand halls, and solemn Buddha statues. Ming, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, inscribed the plaques for the “Mahavira Hall” and “Tripitaka Pavilion.” Xingkong and Miaosheng, Vice Presidents of the Suzhou Buddhist Association, respectively inscribed the plaques for “Wenshan Chan Temple” and “Pure Karma Hall.” The Mahavira Hall houses a reconstructed statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and the Western Trinity. The Pure Karma Hall enshrines a standing jade statue of Guanyin. The Tripitaka Pavilion treasures a newly compiled edition of the Taisho Tripitaka. The Mahavira Hall is built in a hip-and-gable double-eave style, featuring nanmu (phoebe nanmu) golden pillars with inner and outer columns of equal height. Below the ridge purlin, forked struts are used — construction techniques common before the Yuan Dynasty. The bracket sets follow Ming-style designs, while the ceiling is decorated with thatched patterns. The hall's columns and drip tiles are adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs. The overall architectural style belongs to the mid-Ming period, while the roof preserves Tang Dynasty construction methods. The hip-and-gable double-eave roof design is typically reserved for major structures in imperial palaces, symbolizing reverence or solemnity. The main hall faces east and is irregularly cross-shaped. Originally three stories high, only the ground floor remains today, as the upper two were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The main hall is constructed of neat and elegant stone walls. On the upper parts of the front left and right corners are intricately carved wooden lion busts with protruding fangs. The exterior walls also feature stone carvings of Buddhist patterns and figures. The first floor mainly consists of a porch, scripture hall, Buddha hall, and corridor. The porch has two square columns and covers an area of 34.2 square meters (17.1m north-south by 2m east-west). Its murals depict the Four Heavenly Kings and animals such as deer and elephants. On each side of the porch are small doors — a rare feature. The main gate of the Buddha hall is a triple-arched wooden door, 6 meters wide and 5.8 meters high. The door panels are fitted with an iron-wire mesh in the center, while the lower wooden panels are painted with images of bodhisattvas and the Four Heavenly Kings. The upper part is inlaid with three pairs of bronze lions. Above the lintel are bracket sets. The central area features a niche showcasing scenes from Buddhist scriptures. The hall’s interior is decorated with murals, including depictions of lotus flowers, birds, animals, plants, and landscapes. These artworks reflect the styles of the late Ming, early Qing, and 1957 renovations. The hall is five bays wide and six bays deep, with its roof tiles and drip tiles decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns. The overall style of the hall is characteristic of the mid-Ming Dynasty, while the roof design inherits techniques from the Tang Dynasty. The hip-and-gable double-eave roof style is generally reserved for key imperial buildings, signifying honor or formality.

The main hall faces east and is laid out in an irregular cross shape. Originally three stories tall, only the ground floor remains today, as the upper two were destroyed during the ten-year turmoil. The main hall has stone walls that are neat and aesthetically pleasing. At the upper front corners of the hall are intricately carved wooden lion busts with protruding teeth on each side — a rare sight. The external walls also feature stone carvings of Buddhist patterns and figures. The first floor primarily includes a porch, scripture hall, Buddha hall, and corridor. The porch has two square columns and covers an area of 34.2 square meters (17.1 meters north-south, 2 meters east-west). Its murals depict the Four Heavenly Kings and animals such as deer and elephants. There are also small side doors on each side of the porch, a rather uncommon feature. The main gate of the Buddha hall is a triple-arched wooden door, 6 meters wide and 5.8 meters high. The door panels have an iron-wire mesh in the middle, and the lower wood panels are painted with images of bodhisattvas and the Four Heavenly Kings, while the upper part features three pairs of bronze lions. Above the lintel are bracket sets. The central area features a niche showcasing scenes from Buddhist scriptures. The hall’s murals include lotus flowers, birds, animals, plants, and landscapes, reflecting styles from the late Ming, early Qing, and 1957 periods. The hall is five bays wide and six bays deep. The roof tiles and drip tiles are decorated with dragon and phoenix motifs. The overall architectural style is representative of the mid-Ming Dynasty, while the roofing technique follows that of the Tang Dynasty. The hip-and-gable double-eave roof is usually reserved for key structures in imperial palaces to convey dignity or importance.

Transportation Guide

Address: Wenchengxiang Lane, Changmen, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Transit: Take bus routes 31, 32, 33, 88, 146, etc. in Suzhou City and get off at Zhongshi Bridge Station.