Hui Li Temple

Hui Li Temple

Hui Li Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Haining City.

Hui Li Temple is located at the southern foot of West Hill in Xieshi. It was first built during the Ningkang era (373–375) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty when Minister Zhang Yanguang donated his residence for its construction, originally named Zhiyuan Temple. It was destroyed in warfare during the late Tang Dynasty. The temple was rebuilt in the second year of the Qiande era (964) of the Northern Song Dynasty and was granted the name Hui Li Temple in the second year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era (1009). At that time, its mountain gate, halls, and meditation rooms were all described as grand and spacious, surrounded by 72 monastic quarters on and around West Hill. The temple underwent several renovations during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In April 1926, the temple was destroyed by fire, leaving only the main hall. The main hall was restored in the early 1980s, preserving some of the former Buddhist architectural character.

Two Tang Dynasty stone pagodas related to Hui Li Temple were built in 874 AD. Standing 4.9 meters tall and octagonal in shape, they feature a Sumeru pedestal at the base, a canopy above, and a lotus-shaped finial. They are inscribed with the Uṣṇīṣa Vijaya Dhāraṇī Sūtra and decorated with bas-reliefs of lotuses and beast masks, offering a glimpse of the artistry of the “Tang Dynasty carvings.”

Related knowledge: During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties periods, Buddhism received imperial patronage, and it became fashionable for high-ranking officials and nobles to donate their residences to build temples, leading to the flourishing of Buddhism under Śākyamuni. Within the territory of Jiaxing City, over the span of two to three hundred years from 214 AD to 519 AD, there were famous temples such as Jingyan Temple, Jingxiang Temple, and Xingshan Temple (in Jiaxing), Jinshu Temple, Faxi Temple, and Zisheng Temple (in Haiyan), Hui Li Temple (in Xieshi, Haining), Miyin Temple, Chongfu Temple, Zhiyuan Temple, and Fuyan Temple (in Tongxiang), Ciyun Temple (in Weitang, Jiashan), and Changfu Temple (in Pinghu). Most of these temples have long been ruined, but the extant Hui Li Temple is the oldest surviving structure from the Jin Dynasty site.

Address: Jianshe Road, Haining City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province

Type: Temple

Ticket information:

Door price: 5.0 RMB

Xieshi Subdistrict: Located on the Hangjiahu Plain, Xieshi Subdistrict got its name when the area, originally called Xiashi, was renamed Xieshi starting from the Tang Dynasty due to the presence of East and West Hills. In the sixth year of the Yonghui era (655) of the Song Dynasty, Xieshi Town was established; in the eleventh year of the Kaiyuan era (723), Xieshi Market was set up; during the Huichang era (841–844), Xieshi Town was re-established; and in the fourth year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1130), Xieshi Stockade was formed. The area has long enjoyed a rich academic tradition, honest folk customs, and has produced many notable figures. It features cultural sites such as the former residences of Xu Zhimo and Zhang Zongxiang, as well as the Qian Juntao Art Research Museum. Xieshi lanterns are also widely renowned.

　The subdistrict borders Yuanhua Town and Baibu Town of Haiyan County to the east, connects to Maqiao Subdistrict to the south, and lies to the west... More detailed information about Xieshi Subdistrict++