Chanlin Temple Scenic Area

Chanlin Temple Scenic Area

Chanlin Temple Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Wufeng Chanlin Temple is located in Zunhua City, Hebei Province. It borders the Great Wall to the north, faces the capital city to the west, neighbors the Tianjin-Tangshan area to the south, and connects to the Liaoning-Shenyang region to the east. It lies in the hinterland of Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, Chengde, and Qinhuangdao. It is 158 km west of Beijing, 175 km southwest of Tianjin, 75 km south of downtown Tangshan (155 km from Caofeidian), 175 km north of Chengde, and 150 km southeast of Qinhuangdao.

Ticket Information · Opening Hours

50 RMB, 7:00–17:00

Transportation Overview

From Beijing

Beijing – Guomao Bridge – Jingtong Expressway – Yanjiao – Sanhe – Jixian Outer Ring – Machiqiao – Shimen – Zunhua – Houjiazhai Chanlin Temple

Beijing – Shunyi – Pinggu – Jinhai Lake – Xixiaying – Machiqiao – Shimen – Zunhua – Houjiazhai Chanlin Temple

Beijing – Beijing–Shenyang Expressway – Baodi – Transfer to Jingtang Expressway – Jixian – Machiqiao – Shimen – Zunhua – Houjiazhai Chanlin Temple

2. From Tianjin: Tianjin – Jingtang Expressway – Jixian – Machiqiao – Shimen – Zunhua – Houjiazhai Chanlin Temple

3. From the Northeast: Qinhuangdao – Beijing–Shenyang Expressway – Tangshan – Zunhua – Houjiazhai Chanlin Temple

Brief Introduction:

The exit of the Chengde–Tangshan Expressway is 2 km from the scenic area.

Ancient Mountain

The Ancient Ginkgo Scenic Park of Chanlin Temple is located in Houjiazhai Township, Zunhua City, Hebei Province. It borders the Great Wall to the north, faces Panruo Lake to the south, connects to Jiufeng Mountain to the east, and adjoins the Eastern Qing Tombs to the west, covering a total area of 6.6 square kilometers. Surrounded by mountains, ancient trees, solemn temples, and majestic sections of the Great Wall, it is famed as the “Four Antiquities.” — Wufeng Mountain. The mountain has five peaks, with the central peak rising above the clouds and the other four standing to the sides like arches. “Five Peaks Embracing Greenery” is ranked first among the Ten Scenic Spots of Zunhua. The mountain offers ever-changing scenery: blooming mountain flowers in spring, cascading waterfalls and flowing springs in summer, forests ablaze with color in late autumn, and a world of silver in winter. — Ginkgo Trees. Thirteen ancient ginkgo trees, one male and twelve females, grow around the ancient temple in front of Ruiyun Peak on Wufeng Mountain. Research shows these trees were planted during the Han Dynasty, about two thousand years ago. The “Dragon Seed” and “Four Generations Under One Roof” trees are uniquely shaped and robust, both designated as key national protected objects. — Chanlin Temple. Originally rebuilt during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and restored again in the Liao Dynasty, it has a history of over 1,700 years. Its plaque “Chanlin Temple” was personally bestowed by the emperor of the Liao Dynasty. The ancient temple has undergone multiple renovations but was burned down by Japanese invaders in 1942. It was reconstructed in 2000 and now features three gates, six halls, two towers, and one pagoda, presenting a solemn and magnificent sight. — The Great Wall. By ascending from Wufeng Mountain and passing through Dashiyu Gorge (or taking a detour via Hutiyu), visitors can reach sections of the Great Wall built atop the mountain ridges. This part of the wall was initially constructed during the Northern Qi Dynasty and later renovated in the Ming Dynasty. Two unique watchtowers stand out. The scenic park also hosts classic and uniquely styled resorts such as “Ruyi Mountain Villa” and “Evergreen Villa Resort,” accommodating guests from all walks of life and social groups for lodging, dining, leisure, vacationing, and small meetings.

Scenic Area Tour Route and Attractions: Visitor Service Center Area — Ancient Ginkgo Viewing Area — Buddhist Culture Area — Wufeng Panorama Area — Comprehensive Service Area.

Main Attractions: Ginkgo Welcoming Guests, Sacred Water Lotus, Wufeng Mountain Gate, Millennium Dragon Seed, Calligraphy by Shen Peng, Five Peaks Embracing Greenery, Five Peaks Chanlin, Four Generations Under One Roof, Wisdom Well, Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Bodhisattva Hall, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Hall, Mahavira Hall, Rooster Crowing Stone, God of Wealth Temple, Bodhi Pagoda, Ruiyun Pavilion, ... (List continues with various named spots including cultural and scenic elements).

Legends and Anecdotes:

1. Bodhisattva Borrows Immortal Land, Manjushri Holds Dharma Assembly

On the central part of Wufeng Mountain’s Kuaimu Peak, slightly below the left side of the central Zigai Peak, there is a small area with several large rocks that serve as seats and ancient pines to lean on. This place is known as the legendary Tiger Rock, where a tiger once listened to sutras. The tiger’s old den is nearby on the rocky mountainside. Before the temple was built, an elderly monk over seventy years old wandered here, found the place scenic and serene, and sat under an old cypress tree chanting scriptures. A colorful tiger came looking for food but did not disturb the monk. Instead, it circled him and then lay down a few meters away to listen to the sutras. The monk paid no attention. Several woodcutters witnessed this and found it strange, believing the monk must be a divine immortal. They called him the “Tiger-Tamer Monk.” News spread quickly, and wealthy locals, seeing this as a blessing to pray for promotion and wealth, raised funds to build him a house, which eventually grew into a temple.

Manjushri’s Only Secondary Dharma Site Outside Mount Wutai

After designating Mount Wutai in Shanxi as her primary dharma site, Bodhisattva Manjushri found that the increasing number of Buddhists could no longer be accommodated. She sought a new site. Exploring China, she discovered Ruiyun Mountain north of Zunhua County, Jizhou — embraced by five peaks, shaded by pines and cypresses, with clear springs and murmuring streams. Recognizing it as divinely blessed land, she found a temple called Yunchang Temple and established her dharma site there. Here, she taught the “Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita” to tens of thousands. She also introduced Buddhist culture from the Western Regions, building a consecration garden and commissioning stone carvings of Buddhas. Some fragmented steles and pillars in Chanlin Temple still bear carvings of Buddhas and mantras.

Today, a lake about fifty square kilometers in area, surrounded by four villages — Jiazhuangzi, Zhangzhuangzi, Houjiazhai, and Datun — is now called “Panruo Yuan Reservoir.” It was once known as “Immortal Lake,” legend says it was formed when the Immortal Tieguaili, on his way to the Queen Mother’s Peach Banquet in the East Sea, made an emergency stop in Zunhua and descended here. It’s said that one year, during an intense summer, Manjushri preached in Chanlin Temple for forty-nine days without leaving the lotus seat, but bathed in this lake under the cover of night. Later, to honor her supreme wisdom and deeds, people renamed “Immortal Lake” to “Panruo Lake,” which later became “Panruo Yuan Reservoir.”

2. Emperor Yongzheng Once Chose This Place for His Mausoleum

Auspicious Land

Regarding the feng shui of Chanlin Temple in Houjiazhai Township: There’s a little story about why Yongzheng abandoned the Eastern Qing Tombs in Zunhua and built his mausoleum elsewhere. For three centuries, various speculations have circulated. Kind-hearted people say Yongzheng, unwilling to settle for less, chose another location because the best feng shui spots at the Eastern Tombs were already taken by Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi. Others with ill intent suggest he had misdeeds to hide. Historical records show Yongzheng did consider moving the mausoleum here, specifically to the west side of Huayan Peak. Elders know this well. It’s said construction materials like stone and yellow earth were prepared, and groundwork began, but the project was halted due to gravel found in the dragon vein. This is the very site. In 1958, limestone and stone materials intended for the mausoleum were unearthed during reservoir construction in Matiyu Village.

Yongzheng’s selection of this site for his mausoleum proves its excellent feng shui. Feng shui principles emphasize “a bright front, a solid back, green belts around the waist, backed by mountains and facing water, with a green dragon on the left and a white tiger on the right — an unbeatable layout.” The front faces Longshan, or the “bright front”; the northern mountain range, commonly called Jiufeng Chaoyang Mountain, is the “solid back.” The green belt refers to the lush surroundings visible from afar — this area alone remains verdant. Panruo Yuan Reservoir, built in July 1972, sits where a river once flowed, originating from Luowenyu and Beixiaying (now called Ying River). The mountain range east of Datun Village forms the “green dragon on the left”; the range from Matiyu to the east of Houjiazhai Village forms the “white tiger on the right” — all clearly visible here.

Address: Zunhua City, Tangshan, Hebei Province