Suzhou Huangluo Chan Temple

Suzhou Huangluo Chan Temple

Suzhou Huangluo Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Huangluo Chan Temple is located in Nianbang Village, northern Yangcheng Lake Town, Xiangcheng District, Suzhou. It lies to the north of Xiangcheng and east of Yangcheng Lake, with Guanjing River flowing behind the temple. The temple is surrounded by water on three sides, featuring corridors and waterside pavilions, offering picturesque scenery.

The temple was first built in the mid-Tang Dynasty and was originally called Jishan Nunnery. At that time, it had thriving incense offerings, with worshippers spread across the regions of southern China. In the first year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1107), it was established by the Western Regions monk Desheng and was then known as "Jishan Nunnery." Later, with the internal invasion of the Yuan troops, the land became desolate, monks scattered, and the nunnery was abandoned. In the 38th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Shenzong (1610), Monk Xinguang renovated Jishan Nunnery. After Xinguang passed away, Monk Xingquan took it upon himself to revive Jishan Nunnery, striving to raise funds for its restoration, re-establishing charitable fields, and preaching extensively. This drew reverent pilgrims from all directions, and the nunnery flourished once again.

During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, the nunnery was restored again and renamed "Wanglu Nunnery," meaning that officials and nobility had once stayed there. To this day, names such as Guanjing Bridge and Guanjing River still remain. It is also said that Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty stayed here overnight while searching for his father during his southern tours, leading to its subsequent renaming as "Huangluo Nunnery." After several cycles of prosperity and decline, in the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918), a local villager, Shi Beilin, renovated the site and submitted a proclamation by Wu County Magistrate Wu Qichang to the public, warning: “You must understand that this nunnery is an ancient site and should be preserved. You are not allowed to arbitrarily damage or harm it... violators will be severely punished.” The full text can be found in Section Four, "Stele Inscriptions," of the Wu County Annals.

In the 20th year of the Republic of China (1931), Monk Yuanyuan from Shanghai came here with two disciples and resolved to rebuild the temple. They constructed 24 structures including the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and monastic living quarters, with about 10,000 square meters of farmland outside the nunnery. During the Anti-Japanese War, two nuns—Changde and her disciple—resided in the nunnery. They cooperated with the underground anti-Japanese efforts of the Communist Party, actively participated in resistance activities, and used the nunnery as a secret revolutionary communication hub until the victory of the war. The widely known original story of *Shajiabang* took place here. However, Shen Juying, the unsung prototype of "Auntie Qing" (Shen Juying), along with her son Lu Yi, were betrayed by a traitor and arrested by collaborators inside the nunnery in early 1940, and were later executed. Shen Juying and her son Lu Yi were honored by the Suzhou Military Sub-district as the “Mother-Son Martyrs.” Changde and her disciple were arrested by the Xiangcheng Police Station and passed away within three years. (Xiangcheng Town Annals) After the deaths of her husband and mother-in-law, Shi Xuezhen, Lu Yi’s wife, also joined the underground work for the Party, making great contributions to Suzhou’s anti-Japanese efforts and was hailed as the contemporary “Auntie Qing.”

During the Great Leap Forward period, most of the buildings were demolished, leaving only the Guanyin Hall. Even the Guanyin Hall was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Later, through the devotion of local lay Buddhists, three small houses were built, and a statue of Sakyamuni was enshrined, which remains to this day.

In 1995, with the support of people from all walks of life in Suzhou and the local government, Master Longxue (from Fengqiao, Suzhou) successively raised donations to build the Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Hall, Western Trinity Hall, Sangharama Pavilion, Miaofa Bridge, and monastic living quarters. The temple was then renamed “Huangluo Chan Monastery.” In December 1999 (lunar year of Yimao), Master Longxue passed away, and Master Jinghui (from Lushi, Henan) succeeded as abbot. Later, a stone archway and stone pavilion (Foxiang Pavilion) were built, and the main temple avenue was paved. In 2001, a 100-person chanting hall, dining hall, Pure Land Hall, Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, and 60 monastic living quarters (totaling approximately 3,660 square meters) were newly constructed. A 4-meter-tall white marble Water-Moon Guanyin statue is enshrined in the liberation pond, surrounded by four corridors and over a hundred living quarters housing more than 30 monks. The monastery regularly holds Buddha-recitation ceremonies, including a 24-hour session on the first day of each lunar month, with enthusiastic participation from devotees. It is truly a blessed event. Pilgrims flock here year-round, with incense smoke lingering in the air, bells and drums echoing, and numerous people chanting and worshiping.

In 2005, the temple expanded westward by thirty acres to rebuild the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and new monastic and lay residences (completed around 2007). On the 19th day of the second lunar month in 2005, a foundation-laying ceremony for the Mahavira Hall was held, and on the 8th day of the twelfth lunar month of the same year, a beam-raising ceremony for the Mahavira Hall was conducted.

The temple offers continuous chanting throughout the day and has become an influential Pure Land practice center dedicated to Buddha-recitation. Today, the entire temple complex spans 64 acres (38,400 square meters). After years of construction, this ancient temple has been revitalized with a renewed appearance.

Main Features: The temple’s beams and ceilings are exquisitely carved, displaying an imperial elegance. It is the only temple in the Yangtze River Delta region that features the architectural style of northern China.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: Nianbang Village, Yangcheng Lake Town, Xiangcheng District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Public Transport: Take bus routes 861, 865, or 866 within Suzhou City and get off at Huangluo Chan Temple Stop.