Xitang Yaoshi Nunnery

Xitang Yaoshi Nunnery

The original site of Yaoshi Nunnery was at Changping Granary in Chenjiabang, two li south of the town. Its founding date is unknown. The main deity enshrined in the nunnery was Bhaisajyaguru (the Medicine Buddha), revered by devotees as the "Medicine Buddha Who Eliminates Disasters and Extends Life."

The original nunnery housed the Buddhist scripture Lotus Sutra, considered the sacred text of the temple. It was abolished in the early years of Emperor Qianlong’s reign, but later restored on land donated by a local Wang family and converted into a nunnery for female monastics. The nunnery enshrined an image of Lü Dongbin—one of the Eight Immortals—which was demolished in the 1960s.

The current Yaoshi Nunnery was newly built in the 1990s, located west of Daxiyuan and covering an area of over 10 mu. The nunnery includes a main hall and two side halls to the east and west. Dozens of Buddha statues are enshrined there, all gilded and resplendent.

Address: No. 188 Hongfu Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City

Type: Historic Site/Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 0.5–1 hour

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the 100 RMB ticket for the Xitang Scenic Area.

Xitang Town: Xitang, formerly known as Xietang, was established as a market town during the Ming Dynasty within the territories of Yong’an and Qianshan counties. Initially named Xietang, it was later called Xitang. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn period, Wu Zixu stationed troops here and dug the Wuzitang canal to improve water conservancy, directing water from Xushan Mountain directly into the region—hence it was also called Xutang. Xitang Town is located in the northern part of Jiashan County, at the junction of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces, enjoying a superior geographical position, often referred to as the "Corner of Wu and Yue." It lies 90 km east of Shanghai, 110 km west of Hangzhou, 85 km north of Suzhou, and 9 km south of Jiashan County seat. The central urban area is geographically positioned at 120°53′ east longitude and 30°56′ north latitude. Water and land transportation... Detailed information about Xitang Town++