Cixi Jinxian Temple

Cixi Jinxian Temple

Cixi Jinxian Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

A thousand-year-old ancient temple—Jinxian Temple was first built during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties and has a history of over a thousand years. Despite being destroyed and rebuilt several times, its original charm remains. The temple’s mountain gate faces Baiyang Lake directly, where a pair of stone lions sits silently, gazing at the lake that has remained clear and serene through the centuries. When the setting sun casts its blood-red glow and all around falls into stillness, the deep, resonant tolling of the temple bell drifts through the air, carrying the patina of a thousand years, filling every corner. Weary birds fly across the lake surface, through the sound of the bell, and return to their nests.

According to the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu-era “Cixi County Annals,” the temple was first constructed during the Datong era (535–545) of the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, boasting a history of more than 1,400 years. It was initially named “Jingjin Nunnery.” During the Qianyuan era (758–759) of the Tang Dynasty, Master Fulin Duzhi resided here and renamed it “Fulin.” In the second year of the JiPing era (1065) of the Song Dynasty,

the temple was bestowed the name “Jinxian Chan Temple” by imperial decree because Baiyang Lake was once called “Jinxian Lake,” making it a renowned temple in eastern Zhejiang at the time. It was expanded twice, in the 38th year (1699) and the 59th year (1720) of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. In the 15th year (1835) of the Daoguang reign, it was destroyed by fire but soon rebuilt. It was again devastated by warfare in the first year (1862) of the Tongzhi reign, and reconstructed in the 12th year (1873) of the same reign.

In 1989, Yao Yunlong, a devotee from Cixi residing in Hong Kong, proposed renovating the temple given its location within the scenic area of Baiyang Lake. With his generous donation, reconstruction commenced in November of that year after approval by the Ningbo Municipal Government. Over the following decade, the Buddha Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Wanghu Tower, Baihu Lecture Hall, side halls, and guest rooms were restored. Additionally, new structures such as the Jade Buddha Pavilion and Ten Thousand Buddhas Tower were built. The temple now houses 172 halls and rooms across 42 acres of land. With grand architecture and solemn Buddha statues, it has become a significant Buddhist monastery in eastern Zhejiang.