Plan your Guangzhou tour? Guangxiao Temple is a big draw in Guangzhou. “Guangxiao”literally means “Bright Filial Piety”. It is an oldest buddhist monastery in Guangdong Province. It was originally the mansion of Prince Zhao Jiande, the grandson of Zhao Tuo – the king of the Nanyue Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D.24).
In the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) it became the Yu Fan’s teaching academy. Yu Fan came here in exile. Yu Fan was an official as well as a scholar. When he died, his family donated Yu Fan’s house (academy) for the temple, called “Zhi Zhi Temple”.
The Mahavira Hall was built in the temple compound during a well-known Indian monk’s stay at the temple in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317- 420). In Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), the temple was renamed as “Baoen Guangxiao Temple. In Song Dynasty (960 – 1279), it was changed to the present named “Guangxiao Temple”. So the temple has a history of over 17,00 years.
In addition to the famed Mahavira Hall, there are many historical relics and old buildlings. Yifa Pagoda enshrines the hair of the enfluential monk known as Huineng of Zen Buddhist sect in 7th century. There are Samgharama Hall, the King of Heaven Hall, and two iron towers, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Sixth Ancester Hall, The Zen Hall.
How to get there
It is easily accessed by subway. You may take subway line 1 and get off at Ximenkou Station (西门口), exit and walk north along Guangxiao Road. At the northern end of Guangziao Road is Guangxiao Temple. Most probally you will be pestered by beggars and fake monks. Just ignore them otherwise you will be surrounded by them and hard to go away.
Entrance fee: RMB 5
Opening hours: 6:00 – 17:30
Follow me to have a glimpse of Guangxiao Temple.
Guangxiao Temple’s mountain gate
Behind Guangxiao Temple’s mountain gate is the Hall of Heavenly Kings
Also behind the Hall of Heavenly King is the largest building in the temple – Mahavira Hall. Between the Heavenly King Hall and Mahavira Hall is a compound people come here for praying and doing religious rituals.
The front gate to Mahavira Hall
The Drum Tower(Qielan Hall)
People are doing religious rituals
