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Nanhua Temple Shaoguan

Nanhua Temple is a famous Buddhist site, where the sixth founder of the Buddhism generation in Tang Dynasty (618-907), Hui Neng, established the southern sect of Zen. It is located in Maba Town, Qujiang District, about 22 kilometers (14 miles) southeast from downtown Shaoguan. Wit...

Nanhua Temple is a famous Buddhist site, where the sixth founder of the Buddhism generation in Tang Dynasty (618-907), Hui Neng, established the southern sect of Zen. It is located in Maba Town, Qujiang District, about 22 kilometers (14 miles) southeast from downtown Shaoguan. With a history of over 1,500 years, the temple contains many national treasures, including the Da Zang Sutra, decree and cassock of a thousand years ago.

Leaning against mountains, the south-facing temple covers an area of more than 42.5 hectares (105 acres). It has a set of magnificent Buddhist buildings, including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall, Sutra Depository, Sixth Ancestor Hall, Lingzhao Pagoda and 690 Buddhist statues. Most of the buildings were renovated in 1934 as the original temple was damaged several times. The new one preserves the distinctive characteristics of Chinese ancient architecture and the buildings are rhythmically arrayed along the central axis.

The majestic Hall of Heavenly Kings was originally built in 1474 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The statue of Maitreya is enshrined in the hall and the mighty statues of the four Heavenly Kings holding religious objects stand on both sides of the statue of Maitreya. Behind the hall is a three-storey bell tower which was constructed in 1301 of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). On top of the bell tower, there hangs a brass bell from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The massive bell is 2.75 meters (9 feet) high with a diameter of 1.8 meters (5.9 feet).

The Grand Hall, constructed in 1306 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), stands in the center of the temple. Covered by glazed tiles, the grandiosity of the building is inferior to none in the Buddhist constructions of Guangdong Province. The sublime statues of Sakyamuni, Medicine Buddha and Amitabha are situated in the sacrarium of the hall. The gilded figures are all over 8.3 meters (27 feet) high, giving a feeling of loftiness and magnificence. Besides, there are about 500 fine clay sculptures of Buddhist arhats inside the hall. With a wavy sea sculpted out of clay as the background, the clay sculptures mix with the lofty mountains and seas, expressing profound Buddhist meaning.

The temple holds many precious cultural relics; the most precious being the statue of Hui Neng, which is worshiped in the Sixth Ancestor Hall. There are 360 Buddhist arhats figures which are the only Chinese wooden carvings preserved from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). It is notable that the lifelike figures have been made by highly-skilled carvers and each of them has a distinct sitting posture, representing the different characters of the arhats. Some were engraved with epigraphs which are of high value. The rare cassock trimmed with dainty embroidery of over 1,000 Buddhist figures is also worth mentioning. Many of the valuable cultural relics being kept in the temple are national treasure and significant in the study of Chinese architecture, sculpture, painting and Buddhism.

Admission Fee:CNY 20Transportation:By Bus from Shaoguan City:There are buses leading to the Nanhua Temple in Shaohua Hotel which is near the Shaoguan Railway Station.By Coach from Guangzhou:There are luxurious coaches in Guangyuan Coach Station and Guangzhou Coach Station taking to the temple.

Sofitel Foshan

Sofitel Foshan is located in Foshan City, renowned for being China's largest wholesale furniture market of Lecong in Shunde, and connected to the Louvre International Exhibition Furniture Center. The hotel is 60 minutes to Guangzhou Airport and 20 minutes to Zumiao, the most famous attracti...

Sofitel Foshan is located in Foshan City, renowned for being China's largest wholesale furniture market of Lecong in Shunde, and connected to the Louvre International Exhibition Furniture Center. The hotel is 60 minutes to Guangzhou Airport and 20 minutes to Zumiao, the most famous attraction in Foshan. The hotel features 325 rooms of 4 different designs, 3 restaurants, a lobby and sky bar, 7 meeting rooms, as well as a 1,000 m² Versailles-design pillarless ballroom with natural lighting.

Sofitel Foshan is the tallest hotel with the largest rooms

At 236 meters tall, Sofitel Foshan is the tallest building in the city. An iconic skyscraper with uninterrupted views of the city, the structure is a testament to modern style, with both Chinese innovation and French elegance. And Sofitel Foshan features the largest rooms and suites in town , ranging from 48 sq m to 550 sqm.

Located in Pearl River Delta, Foshan city is equipped with advanced transportation. Foshan is renowned as a region that excels in the arts, Kungfu. And Today, Foshan’s reputation in furniture design, craftsmanship and production has propelled it to the international stage. Sitted in China Leading Furniture City – Lecong in Shunde, the Sofitel Foshan hotel connects to the Louvre International Exhibition Furniture Center, which also brings convenience to visitors to attend the furniture exhibitions.

Zhanshan Temple, Qingdao

Zhanshan Temple (English: Zhan Shan Temple; pinyin: Zhànshān Sì; German: Dschanschan Tempel) is a Buddhist temple in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is located on the southern side of Zhanshan (literally 'clear' or 'deep mountain'), Facing the sea

The monastery was built in 1945 and is ...

Zhanshan Temple (English: Zhan Shan Temple; pinyin: Zhànshān Sì; German: Dschanschan Tempel) is a Buddhist temple in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is located on the southern side of Zhanshan (literally 'clear' or 'deep mountain'), Facing the sea

The monastery was built in 1945 and is an active, functional Buddhist sanctuary. Apart from the Stupa and the Olympic Mascot Bell Tower, located on the right-hand side of the grounds, the remaining buildings are situated in a square format. To the right Of the entry portal is one of the several Buddhist scripture shops. Here, incense sticks and other Buddhist supplies are available for purchase. Adjacent the scripture shop is a Bell Tower (zhonglou; bell tower) with the first of many statues of Buddha. Right of the entry is the Drum Tower (gulou)

Returning to the central path, directly ahead of the Heavenly King Hall (tianwang dian; king of the temple). The large Buddha, which is the focal point of this shrine, is flanked by four large statues, one depicting a pipa player. Directly behind Heavenly King of the largest Hall of Sakyamuni, which honors the founder of Buddhism, the son of a king of the Sakya clan of the Kshatriya (ie, warriors). His given name was Siddhartha, his family name, Gautama. The Epithet "Sakyamuni" means "sage of the Sakyas." In this magnificent hall, a large, central Buddha is flanked by two smaller statues, each attended by eight priests. This hall is an active place of prayer equipped with cushions for kneeling, candles For lighting incense, and other Buddhist prayer supplies.

Behind the Hall of Sakyamuni is the Hall of Three Saints (san sheng dian; three sanctuaries). In the center of the hall are three large, gilded statues, each about twelve feet in height.

Continuing along the central path, the next building is the Preaching Hall (shengtang; church), where, behind a long, gilded Altar, a gilded, bejeweled statue of Buddha stretches out almost twenty feet in length

Opposite the Hall of the Recumbent Buddha is the Shandong Zhanshan Buddhist College (Shandong Zhanshan Fo xue yuan). To the right of the Hall of the Recumbent Buddha is the headquarters of the Qingdao Buddhist Association, Tiantai sect, (Qingdao) The following is from the top of this bell tower is panoramic; however, there is an additional fee of () 10 yuan to see that view.

The 8 April of the lunar calendar is tradimate as the birthday of the Buddha. On that day, thousands of Buddhists flock to the monastery grounds to attend religious events.

In 2004 June, the renovation remains in progress.