Changshou Temple in Taicang

Changshou Temple in Taicang

Changshou Temple in Taicang is a cultural tourism attraction.

Changshou Temple is located on Xiangdian Road, Shaxi Town, Taicang City. The earliest Changshou Chan Temple was built during the Yuan Dynasty. The current Changshou Temple, fully named Lingbao Changshou Temple, is a Buddhist temple constructed around 2001 at a new site. It features a row of simple two-story buildings, with the main entrance facing west and the yellow exterior wall on the east side bearing the large characters "Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva." The central hall of the building houses a standing statue of the Tathagata Buddha. The statue faces west and stands to the east, with monks' living quarters on the north and south sides. Although currently small in scale, Lingbao Changshou Temple enjoys thriving incense offerings. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, worshippers flock to the temple in an endless stream, filling the air with the scent of incense.

Shaxi Town has a long history. Also known as Shatou, it had a river harbor established as early as the Yuan Dynasty and grew into a market town by the late Yuan period. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republican era, its commercial markets flourished, making it one of Taicang’s major towns. It has long been reputed as “the foremost among the eighteen southeastern townships.” To this day, Shaxi Town still preserves a group of ancient riverside buildings and a three-li-long old street.

Scenic Spot Address: Xiangdian Road, Shaxi Town, Taicang City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Transportation by Bus: Take bus routes 204, 205, 206, night route 212, 401, or others within Taicang City, and get off at Shaxi Station.

Self-driving Route: From the Jiangsu Expressway, exit at Taicang — take Fuxian Line 339 — head west to Dongting Road — go straight north along Dongting Road to reach Shaxi Town — Baiyun Middle Road — northwest end of Shabei Road; from the Sujiaotai Expressway, exit at Shuangfeng — head in the direction of Shuangfeng — take National Highway 204 — Xinggang Road — proceed to the intersection of Xinggang Road and Dongting Road, then head north — Shaxi Town — Baiyun Middle Road — northwest end of Shabei Road.