Baolian Temple, Xuzhou

At the foot of Pantao Mountain in eastern Xuzhou, a remarkable Buddhist temple rises with the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. This is Baolian Temple (宝莲寺), an ancient temple with a history stretching back more than 1,600 years.

Quiet yet visually impressive, Baolian Temple is closely connected with one of the earliest chapters of China's Buddhist history. Its story is linked to Faxian, the legendary monk who traveled west to India more than two centuries before Xuanzang, while its modern reconstruction features several remarkable architectural landmarks.

The most striking is Tongtian Pavilion (通天阁), which rises 59.88 meters above the temple grounds. Standing beneath it and looking toward its towering golden roof, you can experience a remarkable combination of Buddhist culture, Tang-style architecture and monumental scale.

If you are looking for a place in Xuzhou where ancient history and spectacular architecture come together, Baolian Temple is well worth a visit.

Faxian: The Monk Who Traveled West More Than 200 Years Before Xuanzang

Many travelers know the story of Xuanzang, the Tang Dynasty monk whose journey to India later inspired the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. But more than two centuries before him, another remarkable monk had already undertaken a dangerous journey westward.

His name was Faxian (法显), the founder traditionally associated with the history of Baolian Temple.

In 399 AD, Faxian set out from Chang'an when he was already over 60 years old. He crossed vast deserts, traveled through high mountain passes and eventually reached India, spending more than a decade on his journey.

He returned to China with a large collection of Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures, becoming the first major Chinese Buddhist monk known to have traveled to India and returned with Buddhist texts.

Faxian is closely connected with the origins of Baolian Temple. The temple's predecessor is traditionally associated with his Buddhist legacy and was said to have been built in an Indian-influenced architectural style.

The temple was originally established during the Yongchu era of the Liu Song Dynasty, around 420 AD, under the name Longhua Temple (龙华寺). Over the following centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt and renamed, including Hongfeng Temple and Honglian Temple. During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it finally became known as Baolian Temple.

After centuries of decline, the ancient temple was eventually abandoned before the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A new chapter began in 2009, when permission was granted to reconstruct Baolian Temple on its historic site. The project took nearly four years and created a large Tang-style temple complex covering more than 1,000 mu, with a total building area of around 16,400 square meters.

The temple name was personally inscribed by Master Hsing Yun (星云大师), and Baolian Temple officially reopened to visitors in 2012.

Three Remarkable “National Firsts” at Baolian Temple

The scale of Baolian Temple is particularly impressive because of several architectural and artistic records associated with the complex.

Qifo Hall: One of China’s Largest Mahavira Halls

The Qifo Hall (七佛殿) is the main hall of the temple and covers approximately 2,377 square meters, making it one of the largest Mahavira Halls in China.

Inside are seven large Buddhist statues, while a monumental mural depicting Guanyin in the South China Sea stretches approximately 37.5 meters wide and 9.5 meters high.

It is regarded as the largest single Buddhist-themed mural in China. Standing inside the hall and looking across the enormous mural, visitors can appreciate the extraordinary scale of Buddhist art and architecture.

Tongtian Pavilion: China’s Tallest Buddhist Pavilion

The most iconic structure at Baolian Temple is Tongtian Pavilion (通天阁).

Standing 59.88 meters high, it is regarded as the tallest Buddhist pavilion in China.

Inside the pavilion is the Tianguan Maitreya, a monumental 39.88-meter-high forged-bronze Maitreya Buddha, described as the largest indoor forged-bronze Maitreya statue in China.

Standing at the feet of the enormous Buddha and looking upward gives the interior a particularly powerful sense of scale.

The experience becomes even more atmospheric around sunset, when warm evening light falls across the pavilion's golden roof and highlights the traditional architecture.

A Grand Tang-Style Architectural Complex

Baolian Temple is arranged along a clear north-south central axis, extending from Bodhi Sacred Lotus Square and the Pantao Shengjing Gate to Tianlong Babu Square and Tongtian Pavilion.

Courtyards, corridors and ceremonial spaces unfold in a carefully organized sequence.

The architecture draws heavily on the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, with colorful decorations, red walls, golden roofs, sweeping eaves and traditional dougong bracket structures.

For photographers, the combination of towering pavilions, bright architectural colors and open courtyards creates plenty of opportunities for dramatic images with a distinctly ancient Chinese atmosphere.

Things to Do at Baolian Temple

A visit to Baolian Temple is not simply about seeing the main buildings. Take some time to explore the complex at a leisurely pace.

Admire Tongtian Pavilion

Tongtian Pavilion is the undisputed visual centerpiece of the temple. Walk toward it along the central axis and look back from different angles to appreciate its enormous scale.

If access to the upper levels is available during your visit, the higher viewpoints provide a different perspective over the temple grounds.

See the 39.88-Meter Maitreya Buddha

Inside Tongtian Pavilion, stand near the base of the giant forged-bronze Maitreya Buddha and look upward. The sheer height of the statue makes this one of the most memorable moments of a visit.

Explore Qifo Hall

The enormous hall and its Buddhist statues and mural offer a completely different experience from the open courtyards outside.

Please note that photography is not permitted inside certain halls, so follow the temple's instructions and signage.

Walk Through the Red-Walled Corridors

The long corridors and red walls are particularly suitable for photography. Visitors wearing Hanfu or simple, solid-colored clothing can create atmospheric traditional-style photographs against the Tang-inspired architecture.

Best Time to Visit Baolian Temple

Baolian Temple is suitable for visiting throughout the year.

Spring and autumn generally offer comfortable conditions for walking around the large temple grounds. Clear sunny days are especially good for photography, when sunlight brings out the strong colors of the red walls and golden roofs.

After rain, mist around the mountain can create a softer and more atmospheric landscape.

For photography, early morning and late afternoon are particularly recommended.

Morning light can illuminate the upper part of Tongtian Pavilion, while the warm glow around sunset creates beautiful light on the golden roof and surrounding buildings.

Opening Hours and Practical Information

• Opening hours: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM daily
• Last admission: 4:30 PM
• Admission: Free
• Incense: Visitors can receive three sticks of incense free of charge for prayer.
• Reservation: Normally not required; bring your ID card for entry if required by the current admission system.
• Recommended visit time: Around 2–3 hours
• Photography-focused visit: Allow up to half a day if you want to explore slowly and photograph the architecture.

How to Get to Baolian Temple

By Metro: Take Metro Line 3 to Pantao Station (蟠桃站) and leave through Exit 3. Walk south for approximately 500 meters to reach the eastern entrance of the scenic area.

By Bus: Bus 613 goes directly to Baolian Temple Station (宝莲寺站). From there, it is about a five-minute walk to the southern entrance.

By Car: Navigate to No. 5 Baoliansi Road, Xuzhou Economic Development Zone. Parking is available at the scenic area, with parking costing approximately RMB 5 per visit.

Best Photo Spots at Baolian Temple

Baolian Temple offers several excellent locations for photography:

• Tongtian Pavilion: Stand in front of the main hall and use a wide-angle lens to capture the pavilion against the sky.
• The 39.88-Meter Maitreya Buddha: A low-angle composition from near the Buddha's feet emphasizes its extraordinary height. Follow the temple's photography rules inside the hall.
• The 39 Steps in Front of the Mahavira Hall: Shooting upward from the steps creates strong perspective and depth.
• The Reflection Pool: On clear days, the water creates attractive reflections of the surrounding architecture.
• Red-Walled Corridors: Hanfu or simple, understated clothing works particularly well against the traditional architecture.

What to Eat at Baolian Temple

After walking around the temple complex, stop at the vegetarian noodle restaurant inside Baolian Temple.

The mushroom vegetarian noodles cost around RMB 15 per bowl and come with a flavorful broth and plenty of mushrooms. The broth can also be refilled free of charge.

The noodle restaurant generally serves lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Arriving outside the noon peak period can help you avoid the busiest time.

Before leaving, you can also visit the Baolian Temple Market and pick up a bottle of Baolian Lu (宝莲露), a sweet and refreshing local-style drink decorated with lotus imagery. It also makes a simple souvenir of your visit.

Practical Tips for Visiting Baolian Temple

The temple grounds are relatively large and include quite a few stone steps, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Visitors should maintain a respectful atmosphere inside the temple and follow local Buddhist customs. Photography is prohibited in certain halls, particularly around some Buddhist statues.

The temple also follows traditional visitor circulation arrangements, so follow the signs and staff instructions when entering and leaving the halls.

Free luggage lockers are available on both sides of the main square, which can be useful if you are carrying bags during your visit.

Explore More of Xuzhou

Baolian Temple can be combined with several of Xuzhou's other attractions.

Yunlong Lake Scenic Area (云龙湖风景区) is around 15 minutes away by car, offering lakeside scenery and a more relaxed natural environment.

You can also visit the historic buildings and creative shops around Hubushan Cultural District (户部山文化街区).

In the evening, head to Pengcheng No. 1 Night Market (彭城壹号夜市) to experience the lively side of Xuzhou after dark.

For food lovers, Fengchu Street (丰储街) is another excellent stop. From grilled meat skewers and fried steak to rice noodles and refreshing desserts, the area is a great introduction to Xuzhou's famous street-food culture.

Xuzhou is widely known for its barbecue, so finishing a day of temple sightseeing with an authentic Xuzhou barbecue meal is a perfect way to experience the city like a local.

Step Into a 1,600-Year Buddhist Legend

From the westward journey of Faxian, one of China's earliest Buddhist pilgrims, to the spectacular Tang-style architecture standing at the foot of Pantao Mountain today, Baolian Temple connects more than 1,600 years of Buddhist history and cultural memory.

Here, ancient legends meet monumental architecture. The towering Tongtian Pavilion, the enormous Maitreya Buddha, the colorful temple courtyards and the quiet atmosphere of the Buddhist halls create a distinctive experience that is both spiritual and visually impressive.

If you are looking for a place in Xuzhou where you can slow down your mind while also experiencing the grandeur of traditional Chinese architecture, Baolian Temple is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Stand beneath the towering pavilion, look up at the giant Buddha, listen to the quiet sounds of the temple, and take a moment to imagine the long journey of Buddhism across China—from the westward journeys of ancient monks to the magnificent temple you see today.