Fayu Chan Temple

Fayu Chan Temple

Fayu Chan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Fayu Chan Temple

Fayu Chan Temple, also known as the Rear Temple, is located to the left of Baihua Peak and below Guangxi Peak on Mount Putuo, 2.8 kilometers from Puji Temple. It is one of the Three Great Temples of Mount Putuo. Covering an area of 33,408 square meters, the temple currently has 294 halls and chambers, which are distributed across six terraced levels following the mountain's contours. Upon entering the mountain gate, visitors ascend step by step, with the Hall of Heavenly Kings situated along the central axis, followed by the Jade Buddha Hall. Between these two halls are the Bell and Drum Towers. Further back are the Guanyin Hall, Imperial Stele Hall, Mahavira Hall, Scripture Depository, and Abbot’s Hall in succession. The Guanyin Hall, also known as the Nine-Dragon Hall, features exquisitely carved and vivid nine-dragon reliefs. The nine-dragon caisson ceiling and some of the glazed tiles inside the hall were relocated from a Ming Dynasty palace in Nanjing, and it is hailed as one of the Three Treasures of Mount Putuo. The entire temple is grand, lofty, and extraordinary in atmosphere. Not far away, the Thousand-Step Golden Sand is vast and serene, with the sound of waves crashing day and night. The Northern Song Dynasty poet Wang Anshi once praised it: “The trees’ hues hold up autumn’s books, while the bell’s chime returns with the waves.”

Fayu Temple was first built in the eighth year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty. At that time, the site featured secluded springs and striking rocks, so a thatched hut was established as a hermitage, named “Haichao An” (Sea Tide Hermitage) with the meaning of “the Dharma’s ocean tide sounds.” In the 22nd year of Wanli, it was renamed “Haichao Temple” (Sea Tide Temple), and in the 34th year, it became “Huguo Zhenhai Chan Temple” (State-Protecting and Sea-Calming Chan Temple). It was later destroyed in war. In the 28th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi reign, Puji Temple and Fayu Temple both received imperial funding and were constructed simultaneously. Later, Monk Mingyi of Fayu Temple traveled alone to Fujian to raise funds. Over three years, the donations were used to build the Yuantong Hall, dedicated to the Guanyin Buddha statue. Two years later, the Mahavira Hall was built to enshrine various bodhisattvas. In the 38th year of Kangxi’s reign (1699), the Qing court again granted funds for temple repairs, renovating the main hall and bestowing the plaques “Tianhua Fayu” (Heavenly Flowers and Dharma Rain) and “Fayu Chan Temple,” leading to its current name. During the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns, more halls were gradually added, making it a renowned temple that gained fame throughout the Jiangnan region.

Address: Baihua Peak, Mount Putuo, Putuo District, Zhoushan City

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0580-6690480

Opening Hours:

6:00-18:00

Transportation

Tourist buses operate two dedicated shuttle lines connecting the major scenic spots on Mount Putuo

Line 1: Puji Temple East (Baibu Sha) — Baibu Pavilion — Zhuzhulin (South Sea Guanyin Open-Air Statue) — Rusan Di (Nantian Gate) — Ferry Terminal — Haifang Xincun (Xishan Xincun Zone 1) — Seafood Park (Xishan Xincun Zone 2) — Baotuo Restaurant — Puji Temple West (Xishan Scenic Area Entrance)

Line 2: Ferry Terminal — Rusan Di (Nantian Gate) — Zhuzhulin (South Sea Guanyin Open-Air Statue) — Baibu Pavilion — Puji Temple East (Baibu Sha) — Immortal Well (Chaoyang Cave) — Dacheng Nunnery — Fayu Temple (Qianbu Sha) — Feisha’ao — Xianghui Nunnery — Fan Yin Cave — Baiyue Nunnery — Ancient Buddha Cave — Cable Car Station

In addition to the two dedicated tourist bus lines, point-to-point tourist shuttles are also available between the main scenic areas of Mount Putuo, with staff dispatching vehicles via radio based on passenger flow.

How to Get to Fayu Temple

Take the Tourist Line 2 bus and get off at Fayu Temple (Qianbu Sha).

Ticket Price

5 RMB