Yiyang Bailu Temple

Yiyang Bailu Temple

Yiyang Bailu Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Yiyang City.

Bailu Temple, located on Bailu Mountain on the southern bank of the Zi River, is just over 200 meters from the First Zi River Bridge. Originally built during the Yuanhe era of Emperor Xianzong in the Tang Dynasty, it was once the largest temple in Yiyang.

According to the Ming Dynasty's "Comprehensive Gazetteer": Tang Dynasty’s Pei Xiu preached here, and a white deer once appeared carrying flowers to listen. Legend has it that Pei Xiu, a renowned prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, was demoted and appointed as the military governor of Jingnan. During his time in Yiyang, he stayed briefly on a mountain by the river covered with lush ancient trees. Pei Xiu, who was well-read and had a keen interest in Buddhism, would read scriptures by candlelight late at night in the mountains. The resonant chanting attracted a celestial white deer that would come to listen. Every evening when the chanting began, the white deer would fly in to listen. One night, the secret of the deer listening to the scriptures was discovered, the divine moment was lost, and the white deer never returned. The villagers believed the spot where the deer listened to the scriptures was an auspicious feng shui land, so they named the mountain Bailu Mountain and built a temple at its foot, naming it Bailu Temple.

In ancient times, Bailu Temple was highly popular and renowned, especially for its thousand-kilogram ancient bronze bell, which had an extremely loud and far-reaching sound, earning it the title of the “King of Ancient Bells” in the old city. At night, the tolling of the monks’ incense-offering bell echoed across the fifteen-li bluestone streets of the ancient city. The melodious and ethereal sound moved the soul. “Bailu Evening Bell” thus became one of the ten scenic wonders of ancient Yiyang.

The ancient Bailu Temple underwent many vicissitudes and has long since vanished. The current Bailu Temple was rebuilt in 1987 after the implementation of religious policies. With government approval, public fundraising, and generous donations from Venerable Fo Yuan, the former abbot of Bailu Temple, the temple was reconstructed on the back hill of Bailu. Nestled against the mountain and facing the street, the grand mountain gate features imposing red walls and an arched entrance. The newly built Mahavira Hall houses glistening Buddha statues, colorful Buddhist banners, the rhythmic sound of wooden fish, and the lingering fragrance of incense. On either side of the main hall are a bell tower and a drum tower, where large drums and bells are currently under production. The majestic presence of the “Bailu Evening Bell” will soon return to the ancient city.

In the first hall’s “visitors’” resting area, guests can enjoy vegetarian tea and fruit, or visit the temple’s vegetarian dining hall to sample vegetarian meals. Dishes made from dried tofu, melons, fruits, and vegetables are crafted into exquisitely shaped “chicken, duck, fish, and meat,” which are not only visually delightful but also delicious.

Address: No. 58 Huilong Road, Heshan District, Yiyang City

Phone: 0737-4208349

Official Website: http://www.chinabls.cn/

Opening Hours:

7:00-17:00

Ticket:

10 yuan