Jian Shan Temple

Jian Shan Temple

Jian Shan Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

Jian Shan Temple is located at the foot of Yunji Mountain in the Yangshuo County Moon Hill Tourist Scenic Area. Originally built in the early years of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (713 AD), it is one of the city’s oldest ancient temples. Having withstood the dynasties of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, its incense has burned continuously for over 1,200 years. Historical records indicate that the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Master Jianzhen, on his fifth unsuccessful attempt to sail eastward to Japan, returned from Hainan Island to Yangzhou. On his way back, he traveled by water from Wuzhou to Guilin, where he stayed for a year. During this time, Master Jianzhen often gave lectures and conducted ordination ceremonies at Jian Shan Temple. The temple features architecture modeled after the Tang Dynasty style and is the largest Buddhist temple in Guangxi in terms of scale. Its name was inscribed by Zhao Puchu, the late renowned Chinese calligrapher and former president of the Buddhist Association of China. The abbot of the temple is Venerable Benru, a distinguished disciple of the famous monk Master Miaozhan, who studied at three universities.

The architecture of Jian Shan Temple is simple, elegant, majestic, and modeled after the style of ancient Tang Dynasty buildings, with a total construction area of 5,589 square meters. The temple complex faces north and is arranged along a south-north axis. The main halls follow the typical layout of ancient temples, featuring a screen wall, mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Scripture Depository along the central axis. East-west wings include the Guanyin Hall, Manjushri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, bell and drum towers, corridors, and stele pavilions. Each hall serves as a place for visitors to explore, learn about the origins of Buddhist culture, engage in Buddhist activities, offer incense, and worship. On the east and west sides of the mountain gate are vegetarian dining halls and guest dormitories to accommodate Buddhist devotees. The temple houses 48 Buddha statues, including the Two Generals Heng and Ha, the Four Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Buddha, Skanda Bodhisattva, Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and the Eighteen Arhats. Among them, the "Three Ages of Buddha" enshrined in the 18-meter-high Mahavira Hall stand 7 meters tall.

Jian Shan Temple integrates pilgrimage sightseeing, incense offering, and Buddhist worship activities. It enjoys a superior geographical location and is closely connected with nearby attractions such as Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, and Julong Pool, forming a large-scale tourist scenic area.

Address: Shili Gallery Scenic Area, National Highway 321, Yangshuo County, Guilin City