Woyun Nunnery in Tongli

Woyun Nunnery in Tongli

Woyun Nunnery is a cultural heritage site protected by the Suzhou Municipal Government.

Woyun Nunnery is located in Xiliuwei, Tongli Town, west of the former Wujiang Pharmaceutical Factory. The nunnery was originally situated at the east end of Nanbanqiao and was commonly known as the Earth God Temple.

The date of its initial construction is unknown. During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the hall and corridors were rebuilt. In the 22nd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1757), the Guanyin Hall was added. Repairs were carried out in the 1st, 14th, and 15th years of the Jiaqing reign (1796, 1809, 1810).

In the past, the Earth God Temple enjoyed a flourishing incense offering. Legend has it that the Tang Dynasty crown prince was conferred the title of Local Bright King and worshipped as the community deity. According to local customs through the generations, whenever someone passed away, their family would report to the temple and ask the abbot to write down the deceased’s name, address, and birth and death dates, then stamp it with a red seal before burning it at the doorstep, hoping the soul could enter the underworld and be reincarnated.

In the 1980s, it was converted into Tongli Town Welfare Home and later rented out to a private processing factory.

It is currently being prepared for restoration, including replacing roof tiles.

The existing structure consists of two courtyards with a total of fourteen rooms, covering an area of 591 square meters, with a built-up area of 207 square meters. The main hall has a total width of 14.92 meters and a depth of 7.76 meters.