Jingci Temple in Hangzhou

Jingci Temple in Hangzhou

Jingci Temple in Hangzhou Facts

Jingci Temple is located at the foot of Huiri Peak of Nanping Hill. It is the second prominent Buddhist temple around West Lake. Together with Lingyin Temple, it is called the jewel of the southern and northern hills. The temple was claimed as a national key Buddhist temple in Han's area by state council in 1983.

Chinese Name: 净慈寺

Type: Culture & Temples; Buddhism

Address: No.56 Nanshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou

Best Seasons: All year round

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2-3 hours

Opening Hours: 8:00—17:30

Ticket: CNY 15; temple card free

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Why is Jingci Temple in Hangzhou So Special?

Jingci Temple has a history of more than 1,000 years. It was first named “Huiri Yongming Temple” and was renamed Jingci Temple in the Southern Song Dynasty, known as the “Four Temples of the West Lake” along with the Lingyin Temple, Zhaoqing Temple and Duiyin Temple.

Brief Introduction of Jingci Temple

Jingci Temple is located at the foot of Huiri Peak of Nanping Hill. It is the second prominent Buddhist temple around West Lake. Together with Lingyin Temple, it is called the jewel of the southern and northern hills. The temple was claimed as a national key Buddhist temple in Han’s area by state council in 1983.

History of Jingci Temple

Jingci Temple was initially called Huiri Yongming Temple (慧日永明院). It was first built in AD 954 by Qian Hongji (钱弘俶) of Wuyue Dynasty for a famous monk Yongming Yanshou. In South Song Dynasty, its name was changed to Jingci Temple, and the “500 Luohan Hall” was built. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times in the history. The majority of present temple was built in 1980’s. Specially, there is a newly forged copper bell, weighing over 100 Kilograms. On it is carved The Lotus Sutra (妙法莲花经), with 68,000 characters. It hosts one of Ten Scenes of West Lake, “Evening Bell Ringing at the Nanping Hill” (南屏晚钟).

Main Attractions of Jingci Temple

 The temple used to have a hall of 500 Arhats, the first and only one in China. Many famed Buddhist monks used to stay in the monastery. The Caodong Sect, a quite popular Buddhist sect in Japan, originated in the Jingci Temple. In its history the temple has suffered from serious damages. Today part of it has been repaired, including the temple’s gate with the two gate-generals Heng and Ha, the Shrine of Sakyamuni Buddha, the rear hall, and the Belfry. 

The “Wood-Carrying Well” is a special attraction of the temple. There is a large piece of wood floating on the surface of the water in the well. It was allegedly left by Master Ji when he used his superhuman power to carry wood through the well to build the temple.

And the Bell Pavilion, a two-storied highly decorated affair, houses a two-ton bell in stationary suspension. In recent years, Hangzhou celebrities of various trades, foreign guests, overseas Chinese and visitors will gather inside Bell Tower of Jingci Temple and strike the bell to ring out the Old Year and ring in the New Year on New Year’s Eve of lunar calendar. When the 108th stroke is made, it means that the very beginning of a New Year is coming. In this way, the ancient bell gives out new sound for the ever-growing new era. This activity of striking bell at New Year’s Eve, which symbolizes harmony, happiness, stability and unification, adds new meaning to ancient Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill and makes it even more appealing.

Recommended Tour Packages

Best Seasons to Visit Hangzhou

  • Many people in China believe that spring and autumn are the two best seasons to visit Hangzhou, specially late March-May and September-mid November.
  • In these seasons, temperature is warm but not hot. Daytime temperature ranges from mid 10s to mid 20s centigrade, and night time temperature ranges from low 10s to low 20s.
  • Spring is the best season to visit the West Lake because all kinds of flowers are blossoming that time. In order: plum blossom, peach blossom, and cherry blossom.
  • Autumn is also very nice and my favorite because of the yellow and red leaves.
  • However, I suggest avoiding the last week of September and the first 2 weeks of October because that’s when the city becomes packed with tourists from the golden week holidays.

How to get to Jingci Temple in Hangzhou

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Jingci Temple in Hangzhou in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

Buses to get there: Take bus K4, 504, Y1, 2, 3, Holiday 5, or 7 and get off at Jingci Temple bus stop 净慈禅寺

Useful Travel Tips

  1. Quiet, worth visiting temple
     One of the better temples in China
     A very nice minor temple
     West Lake famous temple
     Its environment is quiet and relaxing
  2. Accommodation
    If you need to stay near here, the following hotels can be used as a reference: Marco Polo Holiday Hotel, Marco Polo Binhai Hotel, Zhongshan International Hotel, Congcong Na’nian Boutique Inn, Orange Crystal West Lake Hotel, etc.

Nearby Attractions

Edited by Bella Ren/任新月