Guangzhou Temple Check-in | Guangxiao Temple

"There was Guangxiao before there was Yangcheng," is a common saying among the people of Yangcheng, which shows the long history of Guangxiao Temple. Located in the bustling area of Yuexiu District, Guangxiao Temple has been bringing various blessings to the people of Guangzhou for over a thousand years! The History of Guangxiao Temple It is one of the famous ancient architectural complexes in Guangdong, with a history of more than two thousand years. According to the 'Guangxiao Temple Chronicles', it was originally the former residence of Zhao Jiande, the king of Nanyue in the 2nd century BC. During the Three Kingdoms period, Yu Fan of the Wu Kingdom was exiled here and turned it into a garden, which was known as Yu Garden. After Yu Fan's death, his family converted the residence into a temple. The temple's name was changed several times: initially called Zhizhi Temple, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty it was called Wuyuan Temple, in the Tang Dynasty it was known as Qianming Faxing Temple, during the Five Dynasties it was called Qianheng Temple, in the Northern Song Dynasty it was called Wanshou Chan Temple, in the Southern Song Dynasty it was called Baoen Guangxiao Temple, and not long after, the character 'Guang' was changed from '广' to '光', and it was renamed Guangxiao Temple. Guangxiao Temple has many cultural relics and historical sites 1️⃣ The Mahavira Hall, built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty 2️⃣ The Washing Bowl Spring, carved by Bodhidharma during the Southern Dynasties 3️⃣ The Buried Hair Pagoda and Stone Sutra Pillars from the Tang Dynasty 4️⃣ The Iron Pagoda of a Thousand Buddhas from the Southern Han Dynasty 5️⃣ The Hall of the Sixth Patriarch, the Reclining Buddha Hall, steles, Buddha statues, Kezi trees, and Bodhi trees from the Song and Ming Dynasties Inside the halls: 1. First, you pass through the 'Gate of Liberation', the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the two guardian generals, Heng and Ha The Hall of Heavenly Kings enshrines the future Buddha—Maitreya Bodhisattva, who symbolizes great capacity and fortune in Buddhism; Maitreya Buddha is flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings, also representing good weather for the crops Behind is—Weituo Bodhisattva, the guardian deity of the temple 2. The Mahavira Hall, which enshrines the Huayan Three Saints. In the center is Sakyamuni Buddha, on the right is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and on the left is Manjushri Bodhisattva; 3. Behind the Huayan Three Saints is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, representing the Bodhisattva turning around to ferry sentient beings; 4. To the right front is the Drum Tower, with the Garan Hall on the first floor. It enshrines the Dharma-protecting Garan Bodhisattva and the Emperor Zhenwu; 6. To the left front is the Bell Tower, with the Ksitigarbha Hall on the first floor, enshrining Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva; 7. Behind the Mahavira Hall is the Hall of the Sixth Patriarch, enshrining a life-sized bronze statue of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng. Master Huineng converted countless people and had a huge influence on Buddhist culture; 8. The Auspicious Hall enshrines the Auspicious Reclining Jade Buddha Statue, also known as the Reclining Buddha Hall, which is the way Sakyamuni Buddha entered nirvana; 9. The Thai Buddha Hall, which enshrines the Thai Buddha statue presented by Thailand, symbolizing the friendly Buddhist exchanges between China and Thailand for thousands of years. Attention‼️ 1️⃣ Do not take a return path, follow the order from left to right to worship; 2️⃣ "Offer incense without lighting it, join palms without kowtowing," do not burn incense, no kneeling is allowed; 3️⃣ Do not take photos of the Buddha statues; 4️⃣ Do not step on the threshold when entering the hall! (Men step over with the left foot, women with the right foot) Address: No. 109, Guangxiao Road, Yuexiu District Opening Hours: 8:00—16:30 Ticket Price: 5 yuan Transportation: 300 meters from Exit C of Ximenkou Station on Metro Line 1