Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple ('Temple of the Soul's Retreat') is one of the largest, wealthiest, and most important Buddhist temples in China, a serene, forested complex nestled in the wooded hills just west of Hangzhou's famous West Lake. Founded in 328 AD, it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over its long history, and today its grand halls rise impressively up the hillside, filled with magnificent statues, including a towering, beautifully carved camphor-wood seated Buddha. But what makes Lingyin truly special is the adjacent Feilai Feng ('Peak That Flew Hither'), a limestone hill riddled with grottoes and carved with hundreds of Buddhist rock sculptures dating back nearly a thousand years, among the finest such carvings in southern China.

Set amid ancient trees and drifting incense, it's a deeply atmospheric place, both an active monastery and a major cultural treasure. Combine it with West Lake for a classic Hangzhou day. Allow a couple of hours to explore the halls and the grotto carvings; arrive early to beat the crowds.

Don't miss

• One of China's largest, most important Buddhist temples
• Grand halls rising up the forested hillside
• A towering carved camphor-wood Buddha
• The Feilai Feng grottoes and rock carvings
• A serene, incense-filled atmosphere near West Lake

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Lingyin Temple

Cheapest way inAuthentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour4.8★ · 38 travelers2-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$53 per personSee dates →Best full dayFlexible Hangzhou Private Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train5★ · 243 travelers10-11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$331 per personSee dates →Private & flexible4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options5★ · 13 travelers4-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$131 per personSee dates →

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Getting there

Know before you go

• Don't miss the Feilai Feng grottoes and their ancient rock carvings.
• There's usually a scenic-area ticket plus a separate temple entry.
• Arrive early, it's popular and can get crowded.
• Combine it with nearby West Lake for a classic Hangzhou day.

A bit of history

Founded in 328 AD by an Indian monk, Lingyin Temple flourished as a major centre of Buddhism, particularly during the Five Dynasties and Song periods, when the Feilai Feng grottoes were richly carved. Repeatedly damaged and restored through the centuries, it remains one of China's most renowned temples.