Kunshan Huiju Temple

Kunshan Huiju Temple

Kunshan Huiju Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Huiju Temple was originally located to the south of Ma'anshan in Kunshan. Established during the Liang Dynasty, it was a historically influential Buddhist monastery. Construction began in the tenth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (511 AD), approved by Emperor Wu of Liang and built by Master Huixiang, a eminent monk from Wuxing (who was also the teacher of Emperor Wu of Liang). Historically, it was one of the most prominent Buddhist sites in the Jiangnan region. The temple was thriving with incense and devotees, a thousand-year-old famous temple rich in humanistic history and splendid art and culture. “In the Southern Dynasties there were four hundred and eighty temples, how many towers and terraces in the misty rain,” and Huiju Temple was among them.

Emperor Kangxi visited Huiju Temple in Kunshan four times and composed poems inscribed there. One reads: “Across ten thousand miles, spring rains veil the smoke of homes; rape flowers and wheat fields thrive lush and bold. Climbing high, I seek the nature of rivers and lakes; I dip my brush on the peak to leave words told.” The idiom “adding the finishing touch to a dragon painting” also originates from this place. Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty, once inscribed plaques for the sutra platform and bell tower in front of the main hall. Poetic works about Huiju Temple by Tang poets Meng Jiao and Zhang Hu, along with the responding verses by Song poet Wang Anshi, were revered as the “Four Wonders of the Mountain.”

For over 1,400 years, it was not only a serene Buddhist sanctuary in Jiangnan but also a place where splendid Buddhism, culture, and art flourished, giving rise to countless historical anecdotes. Unfortunately, during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple suffered repeated damage from lightning fires and wars. When the “August 13th Incident” broke out, it was further bombed by Japanese aircraft. Today, only the Supreme Treasure Pagoda atop the western peak of Ma’anshan remains.

Starting in 2005, with government support, the aspirations of many Taiwanese businesspeople, the joint efforts of local enterprises and residents, and the strong assistance of devotees from all walks of life, approval for restoration preparations was granted by the end of the year. A feng shui-favored site was chosen on the south bank of Taicang Pond in Kunshan Development Zone, west of Dongtinghu Road, for reconstruction. The rebuilt Huiju Temple integrates functions such as charity, culture, religion, community welfare, and tourism. It is the first in East China to feature a temple architectural complex planned in the “Fujian-Taiwan” style with characteristics of Lukang. It brings together the essence of religious, artistic, humanistic, historical, and architectural traditions from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and plans to bring over the spiritual heritage from Lukang Longshan Temple and Tianhou Palace.

The overall design of the temple is based on the architecture of Lukang Longshan Temple, with references to the layout of Mengjia Longshan Temple. Architect Fu Hongren, who led the restoration of Lukang Longshan Temple and served as the principal designer for the cross-strait design team, directed the blueprint design from Taipei, Kunshan, and Quanzhou. He repeatedly drew inspiration from major ancient temples and architectural and artistic features of renowned sites across the strait, such as Lukang Longshan Temple, Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple, Chengtian Zen Temple, and Tianhou Palace. The preparatory team spent two years carefully planning. Facing the differences between Jiangnan and southern Fujian cultures and architectural styles, after many challenges and fortuitous encounters, they gained the support of Quanzhou’s century-old craftsmanship and artisans, allowing the conditions for a southern Fujian-style, Lukang-characteristic architectural project to finally mature. Reconstruction commenced, blending the beauty of southern Fujian ancient architecture with that of Taiwan’s Longshan Temples and Tianhou Temples (Mazu temples), combined with the elegance of Suzhou gardens and the ambiance of Lukang’s old commercial streets. This allows travelers in the Jiangnan water towns to stroll through nostalgic Lukang old streets and red-brick houses, admire red walls with swallowtail ridges, and experience the warm, homely atmosphere that comforts the homesickness of those far from home.

Transportation Guide

Attraction Address: Intersection of Dongtinghu Road and Yangshupu Road, Kunshan Development Zone, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Transit Routes: Take bus No. 8 within Kunshan City and get off at the intersection of Nanbang Road and Dongtinghu Road.