Sanqiao Ganlu Temple

Sanqiao Ganlu Temple

Sanqiao Ganlu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

A 600-Year-Old Ancient Temple – Sanqiao Ganlu Temple

Ganlu Temple was first built during the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1427–1428) and has a history of nearly 600 years. It is located in the new urban area of Yinzhou District, Ningbo, approximately 5 kilometers from the city center. Situated to the east of Yinzhou Park, it connects to the southern part of Ningbo’s Higher Education Zone and Ningbo No. 9 Middle School to the east, borders the under-construction Ningbo Southern Business District and Zilinfang Art Gallery to the south, and lies along the scenic Qiantang River bank, offering both beautiful scenery and convenient transportation.

Legend has it that during the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, the area north of Sanqiao (north of Qiantang River) was called Shijiu Du, under the jurisdiction of Shanwei Township (now Xiaying Subdistrict), with the land owned by the Lin family—a prominent local clan owning nearly a thousand acres. Within Shijiu Du, the Lins had a cemetery with a tomb manor (for grave management) and several small Buddhist halls used for chanting, prayers, and rituals for the deceased. The site was named Ganlu An (Sweet Dew Hermitage). Due to its auspicious feng shui and the spiritual power of the Buddha, after a member of the Lin family later attained the prestigious position of Hanlin Academician, the temple underwent multiple renovations. Located by the Qiantang River, a key route to places such as Hengxi, Fenghua’s Baibu, and Jiangshan, and with a dragon pool west of the bridge over Shijiu Du—as the saying goes, “Water need not be deep, but if there’s a dragon, it’s spiritual”—the temple flourished as a place of worship. In the 4th year of the Qianlong reign of Emperor Gaozong of Qing (1735), a bridge (originally two bridges) was built at the T-junction in Shijiu Du, after which the area became known as Sanqiao (Three Bridges). In the 43rd year of Qianlong’s reign (1778), the temple was relocated and rebuilt, including the Mahavira Hall and side chambers (a merit stele remains at the current site). In the 3rd year of the Jiaqing reign of Emperor Renzong (1798), the rear side chambers were rebuilt (with another merit stele preserved). In the year of Renyin during the Guangxu reign of Emperor Dezong (1902), another renovation took place, and the temple then housed dozens of monks and owned ten acres of land.

Owing to its long history, convenient location, and spiritual significance, Ganlu Temple was greatly favored by many high-ranking officials, scholars, and literati. However, due to historical reasons, the temple was once repurposed as a village office, a community activity space, a hardware factory, and even residential housing. Many poems, calligraphy works, and cultural relics were destroyed as part of the campaign against the “Four Olds,” and the records of successive abbots have been lost.

In 1987, following the reform and opening-up policy, Ganlu Temple was approved by the Yinzhou County Buddhist Association and became one of the first temples in the county to be officially designated as a site for open Buddhist worship. Under the leadership of Abbot Abao and with funding from devoted lay followers, the temple was restored. Due to flourishing incense offerings, in 1995, the current abbot Venerable Rujing initiated the construction of the Guanyin Pavilion.

Currently, with the urban planning and development of Yinzhou District’s new city area, the local government and the district Buddhist Association place great emphasis on rebuilding Ganlu Temple. With the care and support of the Buddhist Association, relevant departments, and people from all walks of life, the grand project of reconstructing Ganlu Temple has officially begun.

In the future, the solemn and sacred Ganlu Temple will become a renowned Buddhist temple integrating practice, worship, sightseeing, tourism, and leisure. Blending seamlessly with the development of Yinzhou’s new urban area, the temple will attract more domestic and international visitors as well as Buddhist devotees with its unique charm.

Bus Routes to Ganlu Temple

359: Yaojiang – Letian Digital City

118: Yinzhou Party School – Letian Digital City

107: Qiuxia Woolen Market – Letian Digital City

102: Qita Temple – Ningbo No. 9 Middle School

101: Carrefour – Sanqiao Village

Sanqiao Village: Sanqiao Village is the northernmost village of Shounan Subdistrict and is situated in the central area of Yinzhou District’s new urban zone. It borders the southern part of Ningbo’s Higher Education Zone to the east, Yinzhou District Government (Yinzhou Park) to the west, the under-construction Ningbo Southern Business District to the south, and Letian Digital City to the north. The original village covered an area of about 750 acres, with 291 registered households and a total population of 730. The area is crisscrossed by Tian Tong South Road, Xueshi Road, Shou Nan Road, and Rili Road, and is served by bus routes 101, 118, 177, 166, and 633, ensuring convenient transport. Due to the urban development needs of Yinzhou District, 90% of the… More details about Sanqiao Village++