Hangzhou · Visitor Guide
Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) (灵隐寺, Língyǐn Sì)
Lingyin Temple is one of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in China, founded in 326 AD by the Indian monk Huili at the foot of Lingyin Mountain west of West Lake. The temple complex sits in a forested valley with ancient trees, limestone grottoes, and the Feilai Peak (飞来峰) — a 168-meter karst hill covered in 470+ Buddhist stone carvings dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. The main hall contains a 24.8-meter camphor wood statue of Sakyamuni, one of the largest seated wooden Buddhas in China.
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Quick Answer
Is Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) worth visiting?
1,700-year-old Chan Buddhist temple in a forested valley with 470+ stone carvings on the Feilai Peak (Flying Peak). One of China's most important Buddhist temples. ¥75.
Quick facts
| Ticket | ¥75 (combined ticket: Feilai Peak scenic area ¥45 + Lingyin Temple ¥30, as of June 2026). English audio guide ¥20. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00–18:00 (temple). Feilai Peak opens at 7:00. |
| Recommended duration | 2–3 hours. |
| Best time to visit | Early morning (7:00–8:30 AM) — the temple is quiet, monks chant morning prayers, and the Feilai Peak carvings have the best light. Avoid weekends, Chinese New Year (insane crowds of worshippers), and the first and fifteenth of each lunar month. |
| How to get there | Bus 7, 807, or Y2 from West Lake area to Lingyin stop (终点站). From central Hangzhou: 30 minutes by bus, 25 minutes by DiDi (¥30–40). Nearest metro: Fengqi Road (凤起路, Line 1), then bus 7. |
| English signage | partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | partial |
| Founded | 326 AD (Eastern Jin Dynasty) by Indian monk Huili |
| Sect | Chan (Zen) Buddhism — Linji school |
| Main Buddha | 24.8 m seated camphor wood Sakyamuni (1956) |
| Feilai Peak carvings | 470+ statues, 10th–14th centuries |
| Peak halls | 5 main halls along a mountain-ascending axis |
What to expect
The temple was founded by Huili, an Indian monk who traveled to Hangzhou in 326 AD and, legend says, was so struck by the beauty of the Feilai Peak that he believed it had flown from India (hence the name "Flying Peak" / 飞来峰). The temple grew to become one of the largest Chan (Zen) Buddhist monasteries in China, at its peak housing 3,000 monks across 18 halls. It was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times — most recently during the Cultural Revolution when it was protected on Zhou Enlai's direct order.
The Feilai Peak carvings are the temple's most remarkable feature — 470+ Buddhist figures carved directly into the limestone cliffs and grottoes between the 10th and 14th centuries (Five Dynasties through Yuan). The carvings include Maitreya (the laughing Buddha, the largest and most famous), Guanyin, and a rare Yuan Dynasty Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhist) section. The carvings are weathered and moss-covered, emerging from the rock face as you walk the forest path — a very different experience from museum sculpture.
I arrived at 7:30 AM on a Tuesday in October. The Feilai Peak path was empty except for the carvings and birdsong. By 10:00 AM, the path was a river of tour groups with flag-waving guides. The difference between 7:30 and 10:00 is night and day — go early. The temple halls are arranged up the mountain slope, each higher than the last, with the Grand Hall of the Great Sage (大雄宝殿) as the architectural and spiritual center. The incense is thick in the courtyards and the chanting of monks at morning prayers (5:00–6:30 AM, before the temple opens to the public) is audible in the Hall of the Medicine Buddha.
How to get there
Bus 7 (from Chenghuang Temple / West Lake area), Bus 807, or Bus Y2 to Lingyin (灵隐) terminus — the bus stops at the temple entrance. From Hangzhou East Railway Station: 45 minutes by bus or 30 minutes by DiDi (¥40–50). From West Lake (Hubin area): Bus 7 from Hubin stop, 30 minutes. Taxi/DiDi: ¥30–40, 25 minutes.
Best photo spots
- The Laughing Buddha carving on Feilai Peak — the largest and most famous of the cliff carvings
- The Grand Hall of the Great Sage (大雄宝殿) with incense smoke in morning light
- The Feilai Peak path in early morning mist — carvings emerging from rock and vegetation
- The Hall of 500 Arhats — golden statues in rows, each with a unique expression
Tips
- Arrive at 7:00 AM opening — the Feilai Peak carvings in solitude are worth the early alarm
- The ¥75 is a combined ticket (Feilai Peak scenic area ¥45 + Lingyin Temple ¥30) — you need both to enter the temple itself
- Wear good walking shoes — the temple climbs a slope and the Feilai Peak path has uneven stone steps
- Combine with a West Lake morning — Lingyin Temple early (7:00–10:00 AM), then West Lake walk and lunch
- Incense is provided free at the temple — no need to buy from vendors outside
Scams to avoid
- Incense and "Buddhist amulet" sellers outside the temple gate charging ¥100+ for items that are given free inside — ignore them completely
- Private drivers at Hangzhou railway stations offering "West Lake + Lingyin Temple combo tours" at inflated prices — they drive you to the gate and call it a tour
Frequently asked questions
Is Lingyin Temple worth visiting?
Yes — it is one of China's most important Buddhist temples with 1,700 years of history. The Feilai Peak carvings (470+ statues, 10th–14th centuries) are worth the trip alone. The temple's forested mountain setting is beautiful and a contrast to West Lake's flat scenery. Allow 2–3 hours. Combine with a West Lake visit for a full day.
What are the Feilai Peak carvings?
Feilai Peak (飞来峰, "Flying Peak") is a 168-meter limestone hill beside Lingyin Temple, covered in 470+ Buddhist stone carvings from the Five Dynasties (10th century) through the Yuan Dynasty (14th century). The carvings are cut directly into the natural limestone cliffs and grottoes along a forest path. The highlights: a large Laughing Buddha (Maitreya), Guanyin figures, and rare Yuan Dynasty Tibetan Buddhist carvings. The path takes 30–45 minutes to walk.
How do I get to Lingyin Temple from Hangzhou?
Bus 7 from the West Lake area (Hubin, Chenghuang Temple stops) to the Lingyin terminus — 30 minutes, ¥2. DiDi from central Hangzhou: ¥30–40, 25 minutes. From Hangzhou East Station: DiDi ¥40–50 (30 min) or Metro Line 1 to Fengqi Road then Bus 7 (1 hour total).
Can I visit Lingyin Temple and West Lake in one day?
Yes — this is the classic Hangzhou one-day itinerary. Lingyin Temple at 7:00 AM (2–3 hours), then Bus 7 back to West Lake for the rest of the day. The temple is west of the lake and a 25–30 minute bus ride away. Start at the temple to beat the crowds, then spend the afternoon walking or cycling around West Lake.
Is Lingyin Temple still an active monastery?
Yes — Lingyin is an active Chan (Zen) Buddhist monastery with resident monks who chant morning and evening prayers. The temple receives thousands of worshippers (not just tourists) on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month and during Chinese New Year. Visitors are welcome to light incense and pray respectfully.
What is the best day to visit Lingyin Temple?
Tuesday–Thursday for the lowest tourist crowds. Avoid the 1st and 15th of each lunar month (worshipper days — thousands of pilgrims), Chinese New Year (chaotic), and weekends (domestic tourist peak). A weekday rainy morning is actually ideal — fewer people, misty atmosphere, very atmospheric.
Is there a dress code for Lingyin Temple?
No formal dress code, but dress respectfully — shoulders and knees covered is appreciated. Remove hats inside halls. Do not point at Buddha statues — gesture with an open palm. Photography is allowed in courtyards and exterior areas but not inside the temple halls.
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