Guiyuan Temple in Wuhan

Why is Guiyuan Temple So Special?

It is a large building complex, featuring many a variety of structures with the most famous being the Hall of Arhats, which was built in 1850. There are 500 arhat (Buddhist disciples) statues inside. They are said to have taken nine years to carve, and each is unique. They are so beautiful and many are quite intricate; worth the time to walk around to see all of them!

Where is Guiyuan Temple

About 46,900 square meters of land. 55,812 square yards), Guiyuan Buddhist temple is located in the west section of Hanyang district, Wuhan city. As one of the four best temples in Wuhan.

History of Guiyuan Temple

Being one of the four best temples in Wuhan, the temple, which was originally established in 1658 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was initially built on the site of Wuzhangpu Kuiyuan in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The word 'Guiyuan' originates from a sutra, meaning to surpass the circumscription of existence and extinguishment, to return to purity and tranquility.

In the third year of Xuantong (1911), the Wuchang Uprising broke out in October. The General Command of the People's Army is located in the south of guiyuan buddhist temple, and a grain depot is also built in the temple. Therefore, the Qing army has repeatedly shelled guiyuan buddhist temple.

In 1953, guiyuan buddhist temple was listed as a provincial cultural relic protection unit in Hubei Province.

Main Attractions of Guiyuan Temple

Eastern Courtyard in Guiyuan Buddhist Temple

The Eastern Hospital is the entrance to the temple. An almond-shaped gate opens to the east, demonstrating the importance of establishing friendly relations and saving all people from suffering. There is a stone tablet hanging on the lintel, on which the name of the temple is written.

Northern Courtyard in Guiyuan Buddhist Temple

When you arrive, you can see the North Courtyard on the right, where Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva and Dashizhi Bodhisattva are enshrined. They are collectively referred to as the "Three Saints of the West". Wen Shu Bodhisattva and Puxian Bodhisattva are also worshipped. The sutra depository in the courtyard has a rich collection of Buddhist relics, Buddha statues, religious articles, stone carvings, paintings, calligraphy and foreign books.

Southern Courtyard in Guiyuan Buddhist Temple

In the south courtyard, the most famous hall is Luohan Hall. It is also one of the five best arhat halls in China. The 500 arhats here are as lively as real people. They are all the same size, each weighing no more than 25kg. The most amazing thing is that people can never find two arhats with the same appearance or expression. They are completely different from each other. In Wuhan, counting arhats in the courtyard has become an interesting custom. It is said that people can know this year's disaster and fate by counting arhats. The method is as follows: starting with any arhat, count according to the direction of a person's first step into the hall until he has counted the number of his age. When he reaches the last arhat, his expression will tell him everything.

Middle Courtyard in Guiyuan Buddhist Temple

In the middle of the central courtyard, there is the Great Hall of the Heroes. The statue of Sakyamuni in this hall is the largest Buddhist figure in Guiyuan Temple. It is said that the lion, which is the image of Sakyamuni, is located to the north of the statue. There are also some other figures worshipped behind the statue.

Now, the temple has attracted people from home and abroad to appreciate its wonderful buildings, exquisite and perfect statues, and a large collection of precious items.

Best Time to Travel Guiyuan Temple

The best time to pay a visit is in Spring and Autumn.

Wuhan has a monsoon (humid) climate in the northern subtropics, which is characterized by abundant rainfall, sufficient heat, the same season of rain and heat, the same season of light and heat, the same season of winter and Leng Xia heat, and distinct seasons.

How to Get There

• Take Metro Line 4/ Line 6 to Zhongjiacun and then walk southwest for 10 minutes to the temple.
• Take bus 26, 42, 79, 413, 531, 535, 541, 553, 585, 607, 608, 629, 637, 705, 707, 708, 710, 711, 740, 803, Trolleybus 5 or 7 to Hanyang Dadao Hanyang Huochezhan, and then walk south for 15 minutes to get there.

Useful Travel Tips

• On New Year's Eve, the 8th of the first month and the 15th of the first month, tickets are available in 40 yuan.

Nearby Attractions

• Liangzi Lake
• Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge
• East Lake in Wuhan
• Heptachord Terrace
• Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan
• Hubei Provincial Museum

Edited by Doreen/张洋