Wenshang Baixiang Temple

　　The Baixiang Temple Scenic Area is situated in the northwest corner of Wenshang County and is a well-known Buddhist cultural tourism destination in China. The main temple, Baixiang Temple, was initially constructed during the Tang Dynasty and was originally named Zhaokong Temple. When Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty stopped in Wenshang during his pilgrimage to Mount Tai, he bestowed upon Zhaokong Temple the new name of Baixiang Temple. Over a thousand years of history, the temple has maintained its spiritual significance, becoming a sacred site visited by emperors, generals, celebrities, and literati for worship and sightseeing. It stands as one of the most distinguished temples in the Shandong region. On March 15, 1994, 141 Buddhist relics including a Buddha's tooth and sarira were unearthed from the underground palace of the Prince’s Relic Pagoda at Baixiang Temple. The revelation of the Buddha's tooth and sarira of Sakyamuni particularly caused a sensation both nationally and globally, earning Baixiang Temple the reputation of being the “Second Famen Temple” in China and abroad.

　　The major sights within the Baixiang Temple Scenic Area include: the Sea of Suffering, Bodhi Tree, Mount Sumeru, Baixiang Temple, the Underground Palace, the Prince’s Relic Pagoda, the translucent Reclining Buddha in the Glass Realm, Lumbini Garden, Bodh Gaya, Deer Park, the South Sea, the Guanyin Hall, the East Sea, Eastern Buddhism, the Three Eastern Saints, the Buddhist Culture Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Three Western Saints, Sravasti City, the Ashoka Pillar, Southern Buddhist culture, and Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the four cardinal directions of the scenic area—northeast, northwest, southwest, and southeast—stand the Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of Buddha: Dhritarashtra, Virupaksha, Vaishravana, and Virudhaka. The scenic area features five major highlights: first, the Nine Dragons Bathing the Buddha, Lotus Splashing Water, and the Birth of Buddha; second, the translucent colored glaze Reclining Buddha and the Parinirvana of Buddha ascending to heaven; third, the Pagoda’s Buddha Light where Buddha manifests; fourth, auspicious clouds in the night sky revealing the presence of Buddha; fifth, large-scale cultural performances called “The Charm of Buddhist Heavens” held during important Buddhist festivals, depicting the stories of Buddha’s birth, renunciation, enlightenment, nirvana, and the arrival of his tooth and sarira relics in Wenshang.

　　The annual Wenshang Buddha Light Festival attracts massive crowds, drawing eminent monks, dignitaries, devotees, and tourists from home and abroad to gather in the Baixiang Temple Scenic Area to witness the radiant return of the Buddha Light. The supreme Buddhist relics such as the Buddha’s tooth and sarira bring an aura of sanctity and a divine harmony between heaven and earth to the scenic area. This has made Baixiang Temple a world-renowned Buddhist cultural tourism destination and a truly esteemed sacred city of Eastern Buddhist culture.

　　It takes approximately two hours to fully tour the entire scenic area.

　　Address: Intersection of Baixiang Temple Road and Shangshu Road, Wenshang County

　　Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:00

　　Recommended Visiting Time: About 2 hours

　　Ticket Price: 50 RMB per person

　　Ticket Description: Children under 1.2 meters tall are admitted free of charge; free entry also applies for those holding senior citizen certificates or valid military ID.

　　Highlight Attractions: The Buddha Light of the Prince’s Relic Pagoda, the True Sarira and Tooth of Sakyamuni

　　Recommended Tour Route: Entrance of Baixiang Temple – Baixiang Temple Complex – Mahavira Hall – Offering Hall – Pagoda Palace – Prince’s Relic Pagoda – Zhongdu Museum

　　Tour Guide Fees: Mandarin-speaking guide costs 50 RMB per person per session

　　Supporting Facilities:

　　Dining & Accommodation: Fodu Grand Hotel, Baixiangyuan Grand Hotel

　　Souvenir shops are available within the scenic area.

　　Visitor Service Center: Located near the scenic area’s ticket checkpoint, phone: 0537-7223501. Guide services are offered at 50 RMB per person per session.

　　Public Transportation:

　　Taking a taxi from the bus station to the scenic area costs about 5 RMB, while a tricycle ride costs 2 RMB per person.

　　Self-Driving Directions:

　　Take the G3 Beijing–Taipei (Beijing–Fuzhou) Expressway, exit at Ciyao, head to Wenshang County via Ningyang County, then turn north onto Shangshu Road and east onto Baixiang Temple Road to reach the scenic area. The drive takes approximately 60 minutes after exiting the expressway.

　　Parking Information:

　　There is a dedicated parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area that is safe, convenient, and reasonably priced.