Qita Temple

Qita Temple

Qita Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Yinzhou District.

Guide: The largest and best-preserved temple in downtown Ningbo, located on Baitang Road in Jiangdong District.

Qita Temple features elegantly structured halls that are classic and solemn, representing the typical Zen Buddhist “Seven-Hall Layout.” Major structures include: the Seven Buddha Pagoda, the Mountain Gate Archway, the Heavenly King Hall, the Yuantong Treasure Hall, the Three Saints Hall, the Dharma Hall & Scripture Depository, the Jade Buddha Pavilion, the Ancestral Hall, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the East and West Side Rooms, and the Comprehensive Building.

In addition to its classical main halls, the temple also preserves a number of precious cultural relics: the stupa of Chan Master Xinying Canghuan, the founding abbot of the temple; two large bronze bells from the Song Dynasty, each weighing seven to eight thousand jin; a copy of the Dragon Canon (Longzang) printed in the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign (1735) during the Qing Dynasty and bestowed by the Guangxu Emperor; a bundle of Sanskrit palm-leaf scriptures; a Qing Dynasty stone carving depicting the 500 Arhats, exquisitely crafted with vivid expressions and forms — a unique treasure in the Buddhist world; and various other valuable cultural relics housed in the “Qixin Yilan” (All Hearts Beheld at a Glance) Exhibition Room.

Tour Guide

Heavenly King Hall

The Heavenly King Hall is a seven-bay structure with multi-tiered eaves in the Guanyin-dou style, bearing a plaque inscribed with “Heavenly King Hall,” written by Yu Deming. Above the hall’s lintel hangs another horizontal plaque inscribed with “Qita Temple,” which is an early work by the renowned Chinese calligrapher Sha Menghai (literary name Wenruo). Inside the hall sits a statue of Maitreya in the form of a laughing monk, legs crossed and belly exposed. Behind it stands a statue of Skanda, hands clasped together with a vajra placed atop them. On both sides of the hall are four Heavenly Kings, molded in clay and painted, wearing helmets and armor, looking majestic. A horizontal plaque inscribed with “Three Continents’ Response” hangs outside, written in the calligraphy style of Qi Gong, a famous Chinese calligrapher.

Bell Tower

On the east side outside the Yuantong Treasure Hall stands a bell tower with double eaves and upturned corners, full of classical charm. A large bronze bell is hung inside, cast in the 4th year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty. It has a double-dragon knob and is shaped like a bamboo tube, weighing 8,000 jin. The ground floor houses a statue of Ksitigarbha. Directly opposite to the bell tower on the west side is the newly built drum tower, similar in design. It holds a large drum about 2 meters in diameter, a rarity in the world.

Special Notes

No incense burning is allowed inside the temple.

Address: No. 183, Baitang Road, Jiangdong District, Ningbo City

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Phone: 0574-87332216

Official Website: http://www.qts.com.cn/

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:00

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 5.0 RMB