Linchuan Jinshan Temple

Linchuan Jinshan Temple

Linchuan Jinshan Temple is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

Jinshan Temple is situated on Jinshan Ridge (also called Jinfeng) at an altitude of 265.9 meters in the northern part of Linchuan City, Jiangxi Province. It neighbors Dongxiang to the east and Jinxian to the north. From the perspective of National Highway 316 that runs alongside the mountain, the verdant peaks frame the magnificent golden temple complex. On rainy days, the temple is veiled in drifting clouds, appearing and disappearing intermittently, while on clear days, it shimmers with radiant splendor under billowing clouds and rosy light, resembling a heavenly paradise. Looking down from the temple, the surrounding landscape unfolds below — vast fields stretch for miles, villages are densely scattered, roads crisscross the terrain, the Fu River winds like a ribbon, and lakes mirror the sky like glass, presenting a breathtaking view of the human world. In the early 1980s, the then Master Huiwu had become the 45th lineage holder of the Linji School of Chan Buddhism, and her Dharma name was changed to Yinkong. Observing that the Party’s religious policies were gradually being implemented, the Master conceived the grand vision of reviving Jinshan Temple. In the spring of 1985, amid the desolate ruins overgrown with weeds, she embarked on a new arduous journey of restoration. With the support of numerous monastic and lay patrons from both China and abroad, after more than a decade of perseverance through wind and rain, Master Yinkong finally fulfilled her wish. Jinshan Temple regained its former glory, with a complex of over 5,000 square meters standing proudly atop Jinfeng. Upon entering the temple gates, one is greeted by brightly colored red walls and yellow tiles, upturned eaves and carved beams adorned with gold and color paintings, pavilions and towers interconnected by winding paths, and Buddha statues in countless exquisite and solemn forms — a truly breathtaking sight upon closer inspection. Structures such as the Heavenly King Hall, Guest Hall, Abbot’s Quarters, Vairocana Hall, Mahavira Hall, Scripture Depository, Dining Hall, and Monks’ Quarters are built along the mountain slope in a well-planned and harmonious layout. Strolling through the temple grounds is an enchanting experience. The temple has also invested heavily in installing electric lighting, running water, and programmable telephones, as well as acquiring modern office equipment like computers, photocopiers, and audiovisual broadcasting systems. Additionally, a passenger and cargo van is available for monks and nuns to travel for educational purposes and to transport daily necessities. The entire temple complex not only conveys the solemn atmosphere of a sacred Buddhist site, nurturing the body and mind, but also embraces the vibe of modern civilization, inspiring progress.

To address the issue of low quality and scarcity of talent (“a lack of dragons and elephants”) within the contemporary Buddhist community, in 1994, Jinshan Temple overcame numerous challenges and self-funded the establishment of the Jiangxi Buddhist College for Nuns (one of only two in the nation). The college offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes and recruits students nationwide. Renowned Dharma masters from famous temples across the country, as well as experts in various fields, are invited to teach, supplemented by the temple’s own well-learned and disciplined nuns. Instruction is tailored to individual needs, and the college has produced batches of qualified personnel for temples around the country. To date, two graduating classes comprising over 130 students have completed their studies and returned to serve as key members in various temples. As a result, Jinshan Temple has gained widespread fame and has become a highly sought-after destination for many nuns.

Today’s Jinshan Temple is not only reputed as the “Buddhist City of Eastern Jiangxi,” enjoying far-reaching renown as a sacred pilgrimage site for devout Buddhists, but has also been designated as a key tourism development zone by the Fuzhou Regional Committee and Administration, becoming a scenic attraction for visitors. The temple sees a constant stream of pilgrims throughout the day, and it often welcomes monks and nuns from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia who come to pay homage and practice meditation. On auspicious days of Buddhist events, the number of visitors and devotees swells to thousands, creating an unprecedentedly bustling scene. As one Buddhist commentator remarked after visiting: “Although Linchuan Jinshan Temple may not be as renowned as Zhenjiang’s Jinshan Temple, it can still share in its prestige. This is a blessing for Buddhism, and its merit and future prospects are boundless.”

In ancient times, Linchuan was known as the “Home of Talented Scholars.” Jinshan Ridge, where Jinshan Temple is located, is a picturesque place endowed with beautiful scenery and spiritual energy. The famous Song Dynasty statesman Wang Anshi once composed poems praising it on two separate occasions. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, Jinshan Temple once housed over 500 monks at its peak. However, since the Song Dynasty, the temple suffered multiple declines; after being ravaged during the late Ming Dynasty wars, it existed in name only for over 300 years. In 1936, a monk named Pujing from Hunan came here to live in a makeshift hut and practice in seclusion. Later, Master Huiwu (now the venerable abbess of Jinshan Temple, Yinkong), along with local gentry, worked to rebuild the temple, which was re-established the following year atop Jinshan Ridge. After the liberation of China, the temple flourished with increasingly vibrant incense offerings. Its scale became grander, and the sacred grounds more majestic than in any previous era, featuring structures such as the Mahavira Hall, Vairocana Hall, Vajra Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Skanda Hall, Sangharama Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Dining Hall, Meditation Hall, Guest Hall, Library, Scripture Depository, and Teaching Building. The library houses an extensive collection of books, and the Buddhist college is equipped with a full set of modern audiovisual teaching facilities. It came to be known as a “Buddhist City.” In 1994, the Jiangxi Buddhist College for Nuns was founded, enrolling over 80 nuns from more than 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. The ancient Jinshan Temple and the young Jiangxi Buddhist College for Nuns stand as cradles for sustaining the Dharma, passing on the Buddhist lineage, and nurturing a new generation of young monastics.

Address: Jinshan Ridge, Yunshan Town, Linchuan District, Fuzhou City

Type: Temple

Rating: AA

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

8:00-18:00

Ticket Information:

Free admission.

Yunshan Town: Located on the northern border of Linchuan District, Yunshan Town serves as the northern gateway to Fuzhou. It borders Zhanshan Township of Dongxiang District to the east, Luo Hu and Changkai towns to the south, faces Luo Zhen town across the Dongxiang River, and adjoins Baiwei and Changshan townships of Jinxian County to the northwest. National highways such as the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway, Changsha-Xiamen Highway, and National Highway 316 run through the town. The town center faces the Dongxiang River. In winter and spring, morning mist often envelops the area, with mountains hidden within, hence the name “Yunshan” (Cloud Mountain).

Yunshan Town is located in the northern part of Linchuan District, situated in the middle reaches of the Fu River valley terraces and hilly region. The terrain is higher in the southwest and lower in the north and southeast. It has a subtropical humid monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures and abundant rainfall... More detailed information about Yunshan Town++