Anji Lingfeng Temple

Anji Lingfeng Temple

Anji Lingfeng Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Lingfeng Temple is situated on Lingfeng Mountain (formerly known as Beitianmu) in Baishuiwan Township, southwest of Anji County in northern Zhejiang. It was first built in the first year of the Kaiping era of the Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period (907 AD) and was originally named “Lingfeng Monastery.” With a history of over a thousand years, the temple once attracted Qian Liu, the King of Wuyue, who was captivated by the beauty of the rocky landscape. Upon returning to Hangzhou, he bestowed a plaque inscribed with “Lingfeng Everlasting Prosperity” to glorify the mountain gate and donated funds for the temple’s renovation, giving the Buddhist structures a completely renewed look. In the second year of the Jiading era of the Song Dynasty (1065 AD), it was renamed “Baifu Lecture Temple,” and Emperor Yingzong bestowed an imperial jade seal to safeguard the mountain gate. In the twelfth year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed “Lingfeng Temple.”

Lingfeng Temple is one of the famous temples in southern China and serves as a sacred site of the Pure Land Buddhism sect. Over the centuries, it has produced many eminent monks. The Liang Dynasty saw the initiation by Master Yilin; the Song Dynasty had Master Zhongxian; the Yuan Dynasty had Master Ruyue; and in the late Ming Dynasty, Master Ouyi founded the Lingfeng Sect, initiating a new tradition in Buddhist practice.

During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was destroyed in war, leaving no trace of its structures. Master Diyin, the former abbot of Guoqing Temple on Tiantai Mountain, made a solemn vow to rebuild the temple. Despite many hardships, he traveled extensively to solicit donations and tirelessly oversaw the reconstruction of the main hall, mountain gate, meditation hall, and more.

The current or newly constructed Buddhist structures at Lingfeng Temple include the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Three Saints Hall, Scripture Depository, monks’ dormitories, and guest rooms. There are also four stone tablets: the “Reconstruction of Lingfeng Temple Stele,” the “Ming Daoren Zhixu Stele,” the “Fan Gongyun Stele,” and the “Lingfeng Baifu Temple Stele Inscription,” along with the stupa of Master Ouyi. Towering ancient trees and murmuring streams grace the front of the temple, while lush bamboo forests and tranquil surroundings at the back make it an ideal place for devotees to practice and worshippers to pay their respects.

Address: Dasheng Peak, Lingfeng Mountain, Shuikou Village, Dibu Town, Anji County, Huzhou City

Type: Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0572-5045454

Ticket Information:

Free admission.