Baoguo Temple宝光寺
Baoguo Temple in Xindu District is one of Sichuan's famous Buddhist monasteries. Founded in the Sui dynasty (587), it is among the oldest temples on the Chengdu Plain. Its great treasure is the Hall of the Arhats, where 500 statues — each with a different face and posture — line the corridors in uncannily lifelike style.
Chengdu · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Baoguo Temple worth visiting?
A celebrated Buddhist monastery in Xindu, Chengdu, founded in the Sui dynasty, famed for its Hall of the 500 Arhats. Admission CNY 30 — a worthwhile half-day trip.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 30 (includes the Hall of the Arhats) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-17:30 |
| Recommended duration | 1.5-2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Any season; especially fine when the lotus blooms at nearby Guihu Lake |
| How to get there | Metro Line 3 to Zhonglou Station Exit B, then bus X02 to Baoguo Temple stop; direct buses from Xinnanmen bus station to Xindu |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Founded | Sui dynasty (587) |
| Type | Buddhist monastery (Chan school) |
| Status | One of the oldest temples on the Chengdu Plain |
| Hall of the Arhats | 500 arhat statues |
| Area | About 80,000 sq m |
| Protection status | Major historical site protected at the national level |
What to expect
Baoguo Temple stands in Xindu District, about 20 km from downtown Chengdu. Founded in the Sui dynasty — roughly a millennium older than Chengdu's Wenshu Monastery — it is one of the oldest temples on the Chengdu Plain. Facing south on a north-south axis, its halls proceed from the mountain gate through the Heavenly Kings Hall, the bell and drum towers, the Great Buddha Hall and the scripture library.
The temple's fame rests on its Hall of the Arhats, built in the Xianfeng era of the Qing. It houses 595 statues — the 500 arhats plus the Chan patriarchs — each distinct in pose and expression, so vivid that Baoguo's arhats are said to 'all look alive'. They range from figures 2 m tall to statuettes half a metre high, a spectacular ensemble.
Take a guide or you will only scratch the surface. The temple's vegetarian cuisine is famous and worth trying. Nearby Guihu Park in Xindu (the Ming-dynasty memorial shrine of the scholar Yang Sheng'an) is at its loveliest in the June-August lotus season and pairs easily with a temple visit.
How to get there
Metro Line 3 to Zhonglou Station Exit B, then bus X02 to Baoguo Temple stop. Direct buses run from Chengdu's Xinnanmen bus station to Xindu District.
Best photo spots
- The 500 arhat statues in the Hall of the Arhats
- The Great Buddha Hall
- The temple's ancient pagoda
- The temple's old trees
Tips
- Hire a guide to bring the halls to life
- Try the temple's vegetarian food
- Combine with Guihu Park in Xindu
- Farmhouse restaurants nearby offer an easy place to eat and rest
Scams to avoid
- No significant scam risk
Frequently asked questions
Baoguo Temple or Wenshu Monastery — which is more worth visiting?
Different styles: Baoguo is famed for its Hall of the 500 Arhats, Wenshu for its Qing-dynasty architecture and street-life atmosphere. Both are worth experiencing.
How do you count the arhats?
Tradition says to start at any statue you like and count to your age — that arhat becomes your personal guardian.
Do I need to book ahead?
No reservation needed; buy tickets on site.
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