Nanjing · Visitor Guide

Yongle Temple (永乐寺, Yǒnglè Sì)

Yongle Temple (Yongle Si) is a historic Buddhist temple located on the southern slope of Purple Mountain, approximately 2 kilometers from the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Founded in 1455 during the Ming dynasty by the Yongle Emperor (ironically, named after him despite his Beijing-based reign), the temple was rebuilt and expanded multiple times, most significantly after destruction during the Taiping Rebellion. Today it occupies 33 hectares with halls, gardens, and the distinctive Feilai Feng peak — a 70-meter natural rock formation integrated into the temple's fengshui.

Last updated: June 17, 2026

Quick Answer

Is Yongle Temple worth visiting?

Historic Buddhist temple on Purple Mountain's southern slope, founded 1455 during Ming dynasty. Famous for pink peach-blossom gardens in spring and traditional architecture. Less visited than Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Quick facts

Ticket	Adults: CNY 30; Students/seniors: CNY 15; includes access to Feilai Feng peak trail
Hours	07:00–17:30 (March–October); 08:00–17:00 (November–February)
Recommended duration	1.5–2.5 hours
Best time to visit	Spring (March–April) for peach blossoms; autumn for cypress and ginkgo; early morning year-round
How to get there	Metro Line 2 to Maqiao (Exit 2), then taxi (CNY 15) or Bus 315 to Feilai Feng stop; scenic area shuttle bus from Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (CNY 10)
English signage	partial
Wheelchair accessible	limited
Founded	1455 (Ming dynasty)
Rebuilt	Taiping Rebellion reconstruction (1860s)
Temple Area	33 hectares
Key Feature	Feilai Feng 70-meter natural rock peak
Garden Specialty	Peach blossom gardens (spring)
Heritage Status	National Level 3A scenic spot; Buddhist activity site

What to expect

Yongle Temple was founded in 1455 during the Ming dynasty's Zhengtong Emperor reign, on the site of an earlier Buddhist sanctuary dating to the Eastern Jin dynasty (4th century). The temple was named to honor the Yongle Emperor (Zhu Di), the third Ming ruler who relocated the capital to Beijing and commissioned the Forbidden City. Despite the distance from Beijing, the temple's patrons sought to associate Nanjing's religious landscape with imperial legitimacy. The temple complex developed over the following centuries as a regional Buddhist center, accumulating halls, monks' quarters, and the distinctive Feilai Feng peak as a natural landmark within its grounds.

The Taiping Rebellion (1850s–1864) devastated Yongle Temple along with most Buddhist institutions in the Nanjing region, as the Taiping authorities regarded Buddhist temples as pagan and financially exploitative. The temple was rebuilt in the 1860s under the Xiang Army's reconstruction program and again in the early Republican period (1920s–1930s). The current architecture dates substantially from the 1920s reconstruction, with subsequent repairs and restoration. The temple's most distinctive feature — the Feilai Feng (飞来峰) — is a 70-meter natural limestone peak that rises dramatically within the temple compound, accessible via a steep hiking trail to its summit.

Today's Yongle Temple offers a more contemplative alternative to the heavily touristed Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, despite their proximity. The temple grounds feature traditional Buddhist hall architecture, a lotus pond, and the famous peach blossom gardens that bloom pink in March and April, creating a striking visual contrast with the vermillion temple architecture. The Feilai Feng peak offers a 40-minute round-trip hike to a summit viewpoint with panoramic views of Purple Mountain and the Nanjing plain. The temple maintains an active Buddhist community with regular services, and the on-site vegetarian restaurant (operational on weekends) serves monk-style Buddhist cuisine.

How to get there

From the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, take the scenic area shuttle bus (CNY 10) or taxi (CNY 15) to Feilai Feng stop. From Metro Line 2 Maqiao Station (Exit 2), take Bus 315 or taxi (CNY 15). The temple is a 20-minute walk from the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum main gate.

Best photo spots

Peach blossom gardens in spring — pink flowers against vermillion temple architecture
Feilai Feng peak from the temple courtyard — dramatic natural-architectural contrast
Main hall (Mahavira Hall) — traditional Buddhist temple facade
Summit viewpoint from Feilai Feng — Purple Mountain and Nanjing panorama

Tips

Combine with Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum visit — the temple is 20 minutes by foot or 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the mausoleum
Spring visits (March–April) for peach blossoms are particularly photogenic; weekdays avoid school groups
The Feilai Feng hike is steep but family-friendly; allow 40 minutes round-trip and wear hiking shoes
English signage is limited — consider the audio guide or a guided tour for historical context
The temple's vegetarian restaurant is open on weekends only (11:00–14:00); excellent Buddhist cuisine

Scams to avoid

There are no significant scam risks at this temple — it is primarily a religious site rather than a tourist trap

Frequently asked questions

Is Yongle Temple a working Buddhist temple?

Yes, Yongle Temple is an active Buddhist temple with resident monks and regular morning/evening prayer services (05:30 and 19:00). Visitors are welcome to observe respectfully. The temple organizes periodic Buddhist ceremonies and vegetarian feasts (素斋).

What is Feilai Feng?

Feilai Feng (飞来峰, 'Flying Peak') is a 70-meter natural limestone peak within the temple grounds. Its name derives from a Buddhist legend that the peak flew here from a distant mountain. A steep trail leads to the summit in approximately 20 minutes, offering panoramic views. The peak is considered sacred in local Buddhist tradition.

How does Yongle Temple compare to other Buddhist temples in Nanjing?

Nanjing has several notable Buddhist temples (including the famous Jiming Temple near Xuanwu Lake). Yongle Temple is distinctive for its mountain location, Feilai Feng peak, peach blossom gardens, and association with Purple Mountain's cultural landscape. It is less crowded and more contemplative than downtown temples.

Can I participate in Buddhist practices as a visitor?

Visitors are welcome to observe morning and evening prayer services quietly. The temple's vegetarian restaurant serves authentic Buddhist cuisine on weekends. During major Buddhist festivals (Vesak in May, Ullambana in August), the temple hosts large ceremonies that visitors may observe.

Other things to do in Nanjing

Chaotian Palace

Ancient Ming dynasty palace complex now housing the Nanjing Municipal Museum. Best-preserved ceremonial architecture in southeast China; free-roaming peacocks in the courtyard. 600+ years old.

China Imperial Examination Museum (Gongyuan)

Ancient examination halls where scholars competed for imperial civil service positions over 600+ years. Now a world-class museum with reconstructed cubicles, artifacts, and immersive exhibits.

Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)

A riverside temple complex turned vibrant pedestrian district — Confucian shrine, Qinhuai River boats, and Nanjing's best snack street. Temple ¥30, area free. 2–3 hours.

Zhonghua Gate Castle

The world's largest surviving ancient city gate complex, part of Nanjing's Ming dynasty wall. Three-tiered瓮城 (wengcheng/retreat defense) with 27藏兵洞 (hidden troop caves). Immense scale, fascinating history.

Ming Xiaoling Tomb

The tomb of the Hongwu Emperor (founder of the Ming dynasty, d. 1398) and his empress Ma. The largest imperial Ming tomb in China, with a 600-year-old stone avenue of elephants and lions. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Budget ¥70 and 2–3 hours.

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The tomb of the first Ming emperor — a 2.6 km Sacred Way lined with stone elephants and camels leading to a burial mound under Purple Mountain. UNESCO. ¥70. 2–3 hours.

Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre

One of China's most significant war memorial museums, built on the site of a mass grave of Nanjing massacre victims (1937–38). Solemn, powerful, and essential. Free admission.

Nanjing Museum

China's third-largest museum by collection size, with 1.2 million+ artifacts spanning 5,000 years. Exceptional jade, porcelain, Ming dynasty artifacts, and an outstanding digital civilization exhibit. Free admission.

Stone City Park

Urban park built along a 300-meter stretch of Ming dynasty city wall, featuring the famous 'Stone City' cliff formation where the ancient wall is exposed. Free, scenic, and historically significant.

Presidential Palace

Nanjing's most historically layered site — served as Taiping Heavenly Kingdom headquarters, Qing provincial office, Sun Yat-sen's presidential office, and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist headquarters from 1840–1949.

Purple Mountain (Zijinshan)

Nanjing's central mountain, home to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Tomb, and the Purple Mountain Observatory. A full day of imperial tombs, forested hiking trails, and astronomical history. Pick 1-2 sites per visit.

Qinhuai River

Nanjing's iconic cultural river, 110 km long, flowing through the historic Confucius Temple district. Famous for boat tours past ancient walls, illuminated traditional architecture, and 1,000+ years of cultural history.

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

The 392-step blue-tile mausoleum where the founder of modern China rests. Free with national park ticket. The staircase is one of the most dramatic pieces of Republican-era architecture in Asia. 2–3 hours.

Xuanwu Lake Park

Nanjing's central lake park, 4.7 km² of islands, pavilions, lotus fields, and walking paths. Free entry, excellent for sunset walks and boat rides. Urban oasis with 2,000+ years of history.

Zhangjiakou Historical District

Nanjing historic residential quarter near Confucius Temple, Ming-Qing courtyard houses, 15th-century Wanmin Bridge stone arch. Free to walk district. Metro Line 1 Zhangjiakou Station (Exit 1). Best early morning for authentic local breakfast. 1-2 hours exploration.

Museums in Nanjing

Jiangsu Provincial Museum

Note: Nanjing has the Nanjing Museum (南京博物院) which is a national-level complex museum, not a standard provincial museum. This entry is for reference only.

Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders

One of China's most significant war memorial museums — documenting the 1937 Nanjing Massacre when Japanese forces killed 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers. Sobering, powerful, and essential. Free.