Gaoming Temple

Gaoming Temple

Gaoming Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

About three li east of Zhizhe Pagoda Courtyard, nestled halfway up the mountainside in the folds of Fulong Mountain, lies Gaoming Temple. Surrounded by peaks and embraced by the tranquil stream, the temple enjoys a serene and beautiful setting. It is one of the twelve ancient temples of Tiantai Mountain founded by Master Zhizhe.

Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, it was first known as Youxi Taoist Site, Youxi Chan Monastery, and Jingming Temple. The current structures were reconstructed during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. The temple houses a rich collection of Buddhist scriptures and cultural relics. The plaques inscribed with “Gaoming Lecture Temple” and “Mahavira Hall” were both handwritten by Kang Youwei.

The temple complex includes over 10 halls and more than 200 rooms. The halls are majestic and the surroundings are serene and elegant. Key structures include the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Western Paradise Hall.

To the east of the temple stands a bell tower housing a bronze bell weighing 5,000 jin (approximately 2.5 metric tons). When struck, the sound reverberates through the valley and can be heard up to ten li away. Hence, the ancients praised the “Four Wonders of Tiantai Temples”: the Tower Peak Wind, Gaoming Bell, Ten-Thousand-Year Pillar, and Guoqing Pine.

To the east of the temple is the Youxi Pavilion, inscribed with the two characters “Youxi” (Tranquil Stream), which are the handwriting of Master Zhizhe. Opposite the pavilion lies a massive rock formation suspended in midair, supported by four stones, forming a natural cave known as Yuantong Cave, tucked within dense woods. Near the cave are numerous cliff inscriptions. On the sheer cliff face to the north is a giant “Buddha” character, seven meters in diameter, written by the renowned early Republican monk Xingci. The surrounding area also features attractions such as Xianggu Rock, Lingxiang Rock, and Jinzi Rock. Admission & Opening Hours

3 yuan

Pass

Take a minibus bound for Shiqiao or Datong from the North Bus Station and get off along the way.