Yongfu Chan Temple with Banyan Embracing Rock

Yongfu Chan Temple with Banyan Embracing Rock

Yongfu Chan Temple with Banyan Embracing Rock is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yongfu Chan Temple with Banyan Embracing Rock

A ancient banyan embracing a rock, the tree with gnarled branches and sturdy trunk

Towering beside the rock, the temple stands like a heavenly palace

Located in the northern part of Huilai County, this site features an ancient banyan embracing a rock — the tree boasts gnarled branches and a sturdy trunk, while the rock is covered in mottled moss. Their remarkable union creates a spectacular natural sight. A shrine once stood on the rock, dedicated to the Goddess of Nine Sons. During the Ming Dynasty, the Yongshi Hermitage was built nearby. Over the centuries, the hermitage experienced many ups and downs, flourishing and declining repeatedly. After the liberation, the temple had fallen into disrepair and was nearly collapsed. In recent years, overseas Chinese donated funds to rebuild the site as a new temple, now called “Yongfu Chan Temple with Banyan Embracing Rock.” It now includes a Mahavira Hall, east and west pavilions, a Merit Shrine, and a Patriarch Temple. The scale is grand, far surpassing the old temple. Dozens of gold-lacquered Buddha statues stand with solemn expressions; the green tiles and red doors, along with the resplendent golden hues, make it another popular tourist destination.