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Linggu Temple

Introducing Linggu Temple
Linggu Temple is a Buddhist temple in Nanjing. Linggu Temple was described as 'the best Buddhist temple in the world'. It was first built in 515 under the reign of the Liang Dynasty (502-557) and used to lie at the northeast foot of the Purple Mountain where Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is located, since the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty chose the place to be his mausoleum and then the temple was moved to the present place. The temple was named by the Hongwu Emperor himself. The temple used to be large and covered an area of over 300,000 square metres. Later it was destroyed in warfare under the reign of Emperor Xianfeng and rebuilt under the reign of Emperor Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).

Linggu Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Ling Gu Si 灵谷寺
• Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, History and Culture, Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 06:30-18:00 from Mar to Nov 30; 07:00-17:30 from Dec to Feb
• Entrance Fee: CNY 35
• Address: No. 2 Linggusi, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province

What to expect at Linggu Temple

In Nanjing Linggu Temple, except for Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Monk Xuanzang and his relic were enshrined and worshiped. Wuliang Hall, or Beamless Hall, was constructed in 1381, and is 22 metres high and 53.8 metres wide. The hall enjoys high reputation for its special architectural techniques. It has three archways on the front and rear sides respectively. The structure was built with bricks from the bottom to the top entirely, without a piece of wood or a single nail. Thus it was called Wuliang Hall, since Wuliang means beamless. It happens that the hall originally enshrined Amitayus (Buddha of Infinite Life) whose Chinese name pronounces the same with Wuliang. Later in 1928, the hall was turned into the memorial hall of soldiers who lost their lives in the War of Northern Expedition (1926–1927). More than 30,000 soldiers were enshrined. Linggu Pagoda was built in 1929 as a sign of remembrance for those soldiers. The 9 stories pagoda stands 60.5 metres high. Speeches made by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and epigraphs of Chiang Kai-Shek were inscribed on the tower.

There is also a Three Superb Tablet in Lingu Temple, on which a painting of Monk Baozhi painted by Wu Daozi, a famous painter; a memorial poem written by Li Bai, a Tang dynasty poet; and calligraphy written by Yan Zhenqing, a well-known calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) were inscribed. Since the three were all masters in their own field in the Tang dynasty, the tablet was considered Three Superb Tablet. Unfortunately, the original tablet was broken in warfare, the present one is a duplicate under the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing dynasty.

How to get to Linggu Temple
• Take bus 202 and get off at Linggu Temple Park.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Nanjing to Linggu Temple.

Additional travel advice on Linggu Temple
• Visitors can go to nearby attractions (Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, etc.) by sightseeing bus, battery car or small train.
• Please keep quiet in the temple.

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