Donglin Temple

Donglin Temple

Donglin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Donglin Temple is located in Donglin Village, Jiayu Town, Xingyang City, about 18 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou. According to the *Xingyang Land Records*, “Donglin Temple was first built in the late Eastern Han Dynasty (around 200 AD) and was rebuilt in the third year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty.” It has a history of over 1,800 years. The temple got its name because, in its early days, monks often conducted Buddhist rituals in caves. It bears great resemblance to early Indian Buddhist monasteries.

Old Hall

Donglin Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple in China and one of the “Three Forests of the Central Plains” (Donglin, Shaolin, and Zhulin) left behind by Patriarch Bodhidharma during his missionary work in the East. Covering an area of over 40 acres, the temple features majestic and spectacular structures. At the front are three imposing mountain gates, followed by: the Heavenly King Hall, the Middle Ancestors Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Rear Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Great Ancestors Hall, as well as monks’ dining halls, meditation rooms, martial arts training grounds, scripture towers, and pagoda forests. The temple grounds are filled with stone steles, including both single and continuous inscriptions. Unfortunately, many structures were damaged during the Cultural Revolution.

Northwest of the temple stands a bottle-shaped pagoda called the “Imperial Uncle Pagoda,” which is an Indian-style Ming Dynasty pagoda. Built in the 17th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1348 AD), the pagoda is about 10 meters high and has nine levels. It is said that Zhu Yuanzhang, who later became Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, took refuge at his maternal uncle’s home near Donglin Temple to escape famine during his childhood. At the age of seven, he came to the temple to work as a novice monk, leaving behind many fascinating legendary tales. As a result, after ascending the throne, Emperor Taizu bestowed this pagoda.

Rear Hall

To restore the former glory of Donglin Temple, it is reported that Master Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, along with relevant departments, has raised funds to rebuild the temple. A new square-based mountain gate and the Mahavira Hall have been completed and put into use. Less than 500 meters from Donglin Temple lies the scenic and rippling Donglin Lake, a great spot for swimming, fishing, and leisure activities.

- Travel Tips:

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00

Address: Donglin Village, Jiayu Town, Xingyang City, Zhengzhou

Jiayu Town: Originally known as Jiayu Township, it was upgraded to a town in May 1994. It is under the jurisdiction of Xingyang City, Henan Province, situated in the “golden triangle” zone—12 kilometers southeast of Xingyang City, 15 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou City, and 20 kilometers northeast of Xinmi City. Covering a total area of 83.7 square kilometers, it governs 26 village committees and 1 neighborhood committee. Postal code: 450123. The area features low mountainous and hilly terrain, with the main mountain range being an extension of the Songshan Mountains. The land slopes gradually from southwest to northeast, with plains, hills, and mountains each accounting for one-third of the region. It has a temperate continental monsoon climate, and the main... Detailed information about Jiayu Town++