Wujiang Yuantong Temple

Wujiang Yuantong Temple

Wujiang Yuantong Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and cultural tourism site.

Yuantong Temple is located in the western suburbs of Wujiang City, situated between Zhujiawei and Quchiwang, covering an area of nearly 100 acres. It borders the southern section of Zhongying Avenue to the west, adjoins Wumo Residential Area to the east, lies north of Sports Road, and faces Jiangshe Road to the south. Commonly known as the “Great Temple,” “Wumo Temple,” or “Ten Scenes Temple.”

According to the Wujiang County Annals, the temple was first built during the Chunxi era of the Song Dynasty, roughly between 1174 and 1189 AD. It underwent multiple renovations and expansions during the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, the early Hongwu years of the Ming Dynasty, and the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, eventually reaching a considerable scale. At one time, it enjoyed thriving incense offerings and frequent Buddhist activities. It is said that Master Yinguang, revered in the Buddhist community as the 13th Patriarch of the Lotus School and abbot of Lingyan Mountain Temple in Suzhou, once gave sermons here. During the Anti-Japanese War, the temple began to decline due to the impact of war, and monks gradually left. After the war, activity saw a slight recovery, and Buddhist ceremonies resumed. Around the annual Qingming Festival, local temple fairs were held. Later on, however, the temple gradually faded from public attention, and all activities ceased. In the early 21st century, reconstruction was approved by the relevant departments of Wujiang District and carried out.

The current Yuantong Temple covers an area of over 60 acres, with a constructed floor space of 19,000 square meters. It includes structures such as a memorial archway, the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Pavilion, and the Scripture Depository. The temple grounds are shaded by ancient trees, among which two thousand-year-old, robust, and leafy apricot trees are unique “Ten Scenes Trees” in Wujiang’s cultural landscape. The halls feature classic grand architecture, solemn and lifelike Buddha statues exuding compassion, embodying the characteristics of a Guanyin bodhimanda in the Pure Land of Lotus. The outdoor Golden Jade Guanyin and the Four-sided Guanyin inside the Guanyin Pavilion are both large-scale Buddhist statues in the Jiangnan region, comparable to those of Mount Putuo and the Golden Summit of Mount Emei. The classical garden architecture, featuring small bridges, flowing water, lotus fountains, rockeries, and caves, presents picturesque scenery reminiscent of a fairyland. With a long history and rich cultural heritage, it integrates religion and culture, and is a renowned ancient temple in the Jiangnan region with a history spanning a thousand years.

Scenic Area Address: Sports Road, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus No. 5 or 205 within Wujiang District and get off at Yuantong Temple Station.