Kaiyuan Temple

Located in West Street of Quanzhou, Kaiyuan Temple was Hindu-Buddhist temple constructed in the second year of the Chuigong reign of the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,300 years. Kaiyuan Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian province with an area of 78,000 square meters (840,000 square feet) and also one of the very few surviving Hindu temple in mainland China. It was originally named Lotus Temple, Xingjiao Temple or Longxing Temple, and the present name was adopted in the 26th year of the Kaiyuan Reign (738 AD) of the Tang Dynasty.

Kaiyuan Temple enjoys the equal reputation with Guangji Temple in Beijing, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou and South Putuo Temple in Xiamen. Now Kaiyuan Temple is with an area of 50 MU and is the largest one among the temples of the same names.
 

History of Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiyuan Temple’s journey began in 685 AD, during the Chuigong reign of the Tang Dynasty, thanks to a local wealthy merchant named Huang Shougong. Legend has it that Huang dreamed of a lotus flower blooming from a mulberry tree—a sign he interpreted as a divine call to build a temple. He donated his mulberry field for the project and named the temple Lotus Temple, after the sacred flower in his vision.

Over the centuries, the temple underwent several name changes: it was renamed Xingjiao Temple (“Propagating Religion Temple”) and later Longxing Temple (“Dragon Prosperity Temple”) as it expanded. Its present name, “Kaiyuan,” came in 738 AD (the 26th year of the Tang Dynasty’s Kaiyuan reign), when Emperor Xuanzong issued an imperial edict: every prefecture in China must build a temple named “Kaiyuan” to pray for the nation’s prosperity. This edict elevated the temple’s status, making it a national symbol of Buddhist devotion.

Like many ancient structures, Kaiyuan Temple faced destruction—from wars, fires, and natural disasters—during the Tang, Southern Song (1127–1279), Yuan (1271–1368), and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. Most of the buildings standing today date to the Ming Dynasty, when large-scale renovations restored the temple to its former glory, preserving its core layout and cultural relics for future generations.

Highlights to See in Kaiyuan Temple

With an area of 78,000 square meters, Kaiyuan Temple is a quite integrated square-yard Buddhism buildings complex. On its central axis stands in proper order Buddha's Warrior Attendants Hall, Daxiong Palace, Heavenly King Hall, and Sutra Hall. The Statue of Vairochana Buddha, the highest God of Buddhism's Secret Sect is enshrined in the temple. 

【Hall of Heavenly Kings】
Hall of Heavenly Kings is also the gate to a monastery. The hall was built in 1925. It comes into your sight once your step into the temple.

【Sutra Hall】
A great number of cultural relics are preserved here and there preserves more than 3,700 volumes of Buddhist scriptures of various editions stored in the Sutra Hall, in which the relatively rare scriptures include Great Treasury Scriptures and Lotus Scripture. Manuscripts of Hongyi, a modern accomplished monk, are also treasured up herein.

【Daxiong Palace】
Daxiong Palace is the key building, located at the center area of this temple. Inside are 34 figures of the Buddha, 24 statues of angels, and 86 columns. Originally, there were 100 columns in the palace, so Daxiong Palace was also named Baizhu Palace (Hundred-foot Palace).



【Twin Towers (East Tower and West Tower)】
There are two quite famous stone pagodas in the temple. They stand on each side of the main hall of Kaiyuan Temple, some two hundred meters from each other. The east one is known as Zhenguo Pagoda and the west one Renshou Pagoda. They are forty meters in height, as the highest twin pagodas in China. They are the unique symbol of the ancient city of Quanzhou.

Renshou Pagoda was originally a wooden structure built in 916 during the Five Dynasties. After it burnt down for two times during Song Dynasty, it was rebuilt, first of brick, then of stone. Its appearance and structure are basically the same as those of Zhenguo Pagoda, but it is only 44.6 meters high, or 4.18 meters lower, and was built ten years earlier.

Zhenguo Pagoda is 48.24 meters high with a diameter of 18.5 meters; each side is 7.8 meters wide. The Sumeru pedestal is fairly low and carved with a tier of lotus flowers and another tier of grasses. Moreover, the east pagoda was selected as one of the four stamp patterns of China's Ancient Towers in 1994.


 

How to Get There

Kaiyuan Temple is conveniently located on West Street, easily accessible by public transport or taxi

• Bus: From Quanzhou’s city center, take Bus No. 2, 6, 26, 33, or Tourist Bus No. 601 to the “Kaiyuan Temple South Gate” stop. The ride takes 15–25 minutes, and the fare is ¥1–2.
• Taxi/Ride-hailing: A taxi from Quanzhou Railway Station to the temple costs ¥30–50 (25–35 minutes). Use apps like Didi for faster booking.
• Walking: If you’re staying in Quanzhou’s old town (near West Street), the temple is a 10–15 minute walk from most hotels.
   

Pro Tips

1. Combine with West Street: After visiting the temple, wander along West Street—Quanzhou’s oldest pedestrian street—lined with ancient shops selling local snacks (like quanzhou peanut soup and oyster omelets) and handicrafts (porcelain, bamboo weaving).
2. Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly (avoid shorts above the knee or tank tops) and speak quietly in the halls. When taking photos, avoid using flash near Buddha statues or scriptures.
3. Best Time to Visit: Mornings (9:00–11:00 AM) are less crowded, and the soft sunlight makes the temple’s stone carvings and pagodas glow. Avoid weekends and public holidays (like Chinese New Year) when crowds peak.
4. Nearby Attractions: Extend your trip by visiting Qingjing Mosque (China’s oldest Islamic mosque, 10 minutes by taxi) or Quanzhou Maritime Museum (to learn about the city’s Maritime Silk Road history, 15 minutes by bus).