Yanfu Temple

Yanfu Temple

Yanfu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

It was built in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (503 AD) when Wang Shu, a resident of Qiandeng Town, donated his residence to establish the temple, which was named Yanfu Temple. In the second year of the Tianfu era of the Wuyue Kingdom (937 AD), it was bestowed the name “Bore Temple” by imperial decree.

In the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1008 AD), it was renamed back to Yanfu Temple. Wang Jue, who once served as a county clerk, having no heirs in his old age, donated his residence to expand the temple. The Buddhist temple became grand in scale, a sacred site for Buddhism, attracting worshippers from the regions south of the Yangtze River whose incense offerings never ceased.

The temple was destroyed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398 AD). In the second year of the Yongle era, Xia Yuanji, Minister of Revenue, stayed at the temple while dredging the Wusong River and Qiandeng Pu.

During the Wanli era (1573–1619 AD), the monk Zhan Yue renovated the Dharma Hall and the mountain gate. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the temple was destroyed again, but in the Qing Dynasty, the monk Daye Miyin rebuilt the Buddha Hall and scripture pavilion.

During the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was burned down in the battles between the Qing army and the Taiping Rebellion forces, leaving only a few rear rooms and several monks.

After the liberation, the monks were reemployed, and the remaining rooms were transferred to a hospital. From 2003 to 2005, the temple was restored to its original appearance.

Address: Qiandeng Ancient Town, Kunshan City

Type: Temple