Lingyan Temple, Yandang Mountain

Lingyan Temple, Yandang Mountain

Lingyan Temple, Yandang Mountain is a cultural tourism attraction.

• The foremost of the Eighteen Ancient Temples of Yandang, once hailed as the “Foremost Temple in the Southeast,” and one of Yandang’s “Three Scenic Wonders.”

Introduction

Lingyan Temple gets its name from being backed by Lingyan (Spirit Rock). It is the foremost among the Eighteen Ancient Temples of Yandang. Built in the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era during the Song Dynasty (979), it was granted the name “Lingyan Chan Temple” by Emperor Zhenzong in the second year of the Xianping era (999). After experiencing periods of prosperity and destruction due to warfare, and subsequent reconstructions, at its peak the temple boasted over a hundred halls, housing a thousand volumes of scriptures, and was known as the “Foremost Temple in the Southeast.”

Surrounded by mountains, Lingyan Temple enjoys a tranquil environment and is one of Yandang’s “Three Scenic Wonders.” In front of the temple stand the towering 260-meter-high peaks of Tianzhu and Zhanyi facing each other, forming the “Southern Heavenly Gate,” with the Wulong Stream flowing out through it. To the left of the temple is Tianchuang Cave, with Lianhua Cave further up. The Lingyan area also features other unique peaks such as Shuangluan, JuanTu, Yunu, Chonglou, Zhuobi, and Duxiu, as well as scenic spots like the Old Monk Worshiping the Pagoda and the Golden Turtle & Jade Rabbit. Behind the temple lies Pingxia Peak, which rises hundreds of feet high, standing upright like a screen against the sky.

Lingyan Temple is a practice site of the Tiantai sect. Following the tenure of Xingliang and Shenzhao, notable abbots such as Master Dixin and Master Chengyuan served here. Master Chengyuan once planted ginkgo trees and square bamboo, which have since become treasured features of the temple. The rebuilt temple complex consists, from south to north, of the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Dharma Hall, and Scripture Depository; with the Bell and Drum Towers, East and West Side Halls, and West Corridor arranged on the sides; the front western part houses the Zen Hall and reception area, while the rear section accommodates Buddhist teaching facilities and the monks’ living quarters.

Address: Within Lingyan Scenic Area, Lingyan Village, Yandangshan Town, Yueqing City, Wenzhou

Type: Historic Site / Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the 40 RMB Lingyan Scenic Area admission.