Tonglu Yuantong Temple

Tonglu Yuantong Temple

Tonglu Yuantong Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yuantong Temple is situated in the county of Tonglu, Zhejiang Province, facing the tranquil and distant Fuchun River and backed by the densely wooded Wuxiang Mountain. Nestled among green hills, the temple is serene and majestic, making it the largest Buddhist destination in the “Two Rivers and One Lake” (Fuchun River, Xin’an River, and Qiandao Lake) scenic area. Known as the “Putuo of Western Zhejiang,” it has long been ranked alongside Lhasa’s Potala Palace, Kunming’s Yuantong Chan Temple, and Mount Putuo in the South China Sea as one of China’s renowned “Four Major Guanyin Sacred Sites.” Throughout history, the temple has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt due to warfare and fires.

Originally built in the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (634 AD), Yuantong Temple has a history of over 1,370 years. Initially named “Bamboo Grove,” it enshrined a statue of Guanyin. During the Huichang era of the Tang Dynasty (841–846 AD), the temple was expanded and renamed Shengde Temple, also known as Chaoyin Temple. In the seventh year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1014 AD), the imperial court bestowed upon it the name “Yuantong Chan Temple.” In the eighth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1375 AD), the monk Master Anyin reconstructed the temple. During the Anti-Japanese War, the temple was bombed and destroyed by Japanese aircraft and was later demolished piece by piece. Through millennia of history and seven devastating fires, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt time and again—a testament to the enduring compassion of Guanyin deeply rooted in people’s hearts.

To promote traditional Buddhist culture, boost tourism development, and invigorate the local economy, the Tonglu County People’s Government, in accordance with urban planning and with approval from the Zhejiang Provincial Government, decided to rebuild Yuantong Chan Temple and develop a scenic tourist area centered around it. In March 2003, the reconstruction of Yuantong Temple was completed and opened to the public.

The first phase of the reconstructed Yuantong Chan Temple covers an area of 75 mu (approximately 5 hectares). The main structures of the temple include the entrance archway, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Ksitigarbha, the Patriarch Hall, the Grand Yuantong Hall, and the Mahavira Hall. Arranged along a central axis and progressing layer by layer, the layout is rigorous and adheres to historical context and Buddhist architectural principles. The temple is not only grand and majestic on an unprecedented scale, but also features a unique architectural layout that blends northern and southern styles, standing out uniquely in the Jiangnan region.

The creation of the Buddha statues, decorative carvings, and couplet inscriptions within the temple were all crafted by master artisans of Chinese arts and crafts as well as renowned contemporary poets, calligraphers, and artists. The perfect fusion of top-tier architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural significance is fully embodied here. With the nurturing beauty of landscapes, the vitality of heaven and earth, the profound teachings of Buddhism, and the sacred traces of Yuantong, the temple serves as a true sanctuary for spiritual cleansing and immersion in nature’s splendor.

Scenic Area Address: No. 15 Yuantong Road, Tongjun Subdistrict, Tonglu County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Transportation: Take a minibus or taxi to Yuantong Road within Tonglu County to reach the temple.