Guangji Temple in Wuhu

Guangji Temple in Wuhu

Guangji Temple in Wuhu is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located at the southwestern foot of Zheshan Mountain in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. The temple complex is built along the mountainside, with structures ascending from the base to the hillside, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings (also known as the "Mountain Gate"), the Hall of Medicine Buddha, the Mahavira Hall (also called the "Great Buddha Hall"), the Kṣitigarbha Hall, and the Guangji Temple Pagoda. There are 88 steps in total, with four layers of halls stretching from the mountain foot to the mid-slope, each successive hall rising dozens of meters above the previous one. The entire architectural complex is resplendent and majestic. The Hall of Heavenly Kings houses over ten-meter-tall statues of Maitreya and Skanda, flanked by the two Guardian Kings. The central figure in the Hall of Medicine Buddha is Bhaisajyaguru, who made twelve great vows to cure the illnesses and suffering of all beings and to prolong life. The Mahavira Hall features three large Buddha statues in the center, with accompanying statues on either side and the Eighteen Arhats on the sides. The topmost main hall is the Kṣitigarbha Hall, flanked by iron chains. This hall is the most distinctive structure in the temple, modeled after the flesh-body pagoda of Jiuhua Mountain. At its center is a 12-meter-tall statue of Kṣitigarbha, which is highly solemn. In front of the hall stands an ancient ginkgo tree planted during the Song Dynasty, which remains lush and vibrant to this day. To the west of the Kṣitigarbha Hall is a two-story building called "Dicipavilion," said to have been the hermitage and study place of Huang Tingjian, a calligrapher from the Song Dynasty. The walls downstairs are inlaid with many stone inscriptions.

Legend has it that in the seventh year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (719 AD), the 24-year-old Silla prince Kim Qiaoque traveled across China and arrived in Wuhu. He first went to Heshan, then to Zheshan, where he preached and taught Buddhism for three years before settling on Jiuhua Mountain, later revered as Kim Dizang. In the second year of the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty (757 AD), Emperor Suzong of Tang bestowed a golden seal weighing eight jin and eight liang upon the Jiuhua temporary palace. The seal was adorned with a dragon-and-pearl design and inscribed with the characters “Dizang Licheng Fangyin” (Seal of Dizang’s Meritorious Achievement) in relief, along with the date “Second Year of Zhide, Tang Dynasty.” In the past, pilgrims to Jiuhua Mountain would first come here to receive the “Dizang Licheng Golden Seal” before proceeding to Jiuhua, hence the site was also known as “Little Jiuhua,” a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destination that has long enjoyed flourishing incense offerings. Guangji Temple, along with Pujisi, Nengrensi, and Jixiangsi, is known as one of the Four Famous Temples of Anhui, with Guangji Temple ranking first. In 1983, it was designated by the State Council as a nationally key Han Buddhism temple.

The most prominent feature in the backyard of the “Jiuhua Temporary Palace” is the Zheta Pagoda (Guangji Temple Pagoda). Built in the second year of the Jianning era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1065 AD), the five-story pagoda features flying eaves and iron wind bells, with exquisitely carved Buddha images in brick embedded into each of its eight outer walls. Legend says that once a strong wind blew off the pagoda’s spire, causing continuous leaks. One day, a large iron pot suddenly flew and landed on the top, sealing it and ending the leaks ever since. “Zheta Clear Mist” is ranked first among the ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Wuhu, praised as “a red-framed scroll nestled in a secluded temple, a lone white pagoda amid the shadows of pine and bamboo.”

Zheshan Mountain rises prominently in the northwest of downtown Wuhu, with an elevation of 86 meters. The mountain is covered with lush cypresses and bamboos, blooming flowers and fragrant plants. “It commands the Yangtze River to the right, with ships dotting the clouds, and overlooks the cityscape, vividly detailed below,” making it a prime spot for sightseeing and enjoying the panoramic view of Wuhu since ancient times.

Address: South foot of Zheshan Mountain, Jiujiang Middle Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu City

Type: Historic Site & Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 2 hours

Tel: 0553-3835195; 0553-3821494

Opening Hours:

6:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 5.0 RMB