Lingyin Temple（靈隱寺）

Lingyin Temple [baike.baidu.com]

Lingyin Temple, or the Temple of the Soul's Retreat, is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province. It was founded in 328 during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (316-420) by an Indian monk name Hui Li, and has a history spanning over 1,700 years.

Sheltered by forested hills on three sides, the temple is a quiet and secluded sanctuary when it is not thronged by tourists. It is also one of China's largest and most visited Buddhist temples and holds the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni sitting on a lotus throne.

During the Five Dynasties Period (907-960), when the temple was prospering, it consisted of 9 buildings, 18 towers, 72 halls with 1,300 rooms and more than 3,000 monks. It has been damaged and restored again several times during its extensive history.

Admission: 30 yuan (US$4.7)/person