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Guiyuan Temple

Introducing Guiyuan Temple (from hubei.gov.cn )
Guiyuan Temple is a Buddhist temple located in an urban part of Hanyang District of Wuhan. With a land area of 153 mu, it was built in Shunzhi 15th year (1658), Qing Dynasty. The temple enjoys a high reputation among Buddhists for its architecture, excellent sculptures and rich art collection. It was listed as Hubei provincial cultural relic site in 1953, and recognized by the State Council in 1983 as a Buddhist temple of national importance in regions inhabited by Han nationality. It also houses the Wuhan Buddhist Association. Hundreds of thousands of people visited the Guiyuan Temple to pray for fortune on the birthday of the God of Wealth, which is considered to be the fifth day of the Chinese lunar New Year.

Guiyuan Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Gui Yuan Si 归元寺
• Best Time to Visit: Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Buddhism, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 from Oct 08 to Apr 30; 07:30:17:30 from May 01 to Oct 07
• Entrance Fee: CNY 10; CNY 20 during public holidays
• Address: No.20 Cuiwei Road, Hanyang District, Wuhan, Hubei Province

What to expect at Guiyuan Temple
Facing east, Guiyuan Temple is divided into front zone and back zone. The front zone consists of three main clusters of buildings, featuring Sutra Chamber, the Grand Hall of the Buddha and Arhats Hall, respectively.

Double-faced Guanyin (or Avalokitesvara: a Buddhism goddess)
Built with brass and surrounded by white marble handrails, the statue is considered extraordinary nationwide with a total height of 21.8 meters (include the 3-meter high sacred lotus seat) and a weight of 20 tons.

 

 
 

Hall of Arhats
The 500 arhats in the Hall of Arhats Hall are the main attraction of Guiyuan Temple. Almost all the visitors would play the game of “counting arhats” in the temple.

Grand Hall of the Buddha
The Grand Hall of the Buddha is in the center of middle courtyard. The statue of Sakyamuni enshrined in this hall is the biggest Buddhism figure in the Temple. A lion that is said to be the image of Sakyamuni in pre-existence lies to the north of the statue.

 

 
 

Hall of Bodhisattva Weituo
The four Chinese characters of “GuiYuan Gucha” was written by Li Yuanhong (1864-1928), twice president of the Republic of China, in 1912. People also come here to free turtles in the pond out of the Hall.

 

 
 

Sutra Chamber
The Sutra Chamber is the main building in the north courtyard of the Guiyuan Temple, where a collection of Buddhist classics and treasures are housed. The current chamber is two storied, standing about 2 meters high. It was built in 1920 and is the only ancient brick-wood architecture existed in Wuhan currently. A jade Buddha resides in the chamber.

How to get to Guiyuan Temple
• Take Metro Line 4 or 6 to Zhongjiacun Station and then walk around 800 meters to the temple.
• Guiyuan Temple can be reached by bus 26, 42, 79, 413, 531, 535, 541, 553, 585, 607, 608, 629, 637, 705, 707, 708, 710, 711 and 740.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Wuhan to Guiyuan Temple.

Additional travel advice on Guiyuan Temple
• Please keep quiet in the temple.
• Please dress and behave appropriately in the temple.
• Visitors are forbidden to take joss sticks from outside into the temple.

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