Lingyin Temple: Things to Do, Tips & Nearby Attractions

Lingyin Temple is one of Hangzhou's top attractions. Known as the "Temple of the Soul's Retreat," it was also a favorite place for Chinese emperors to come and make offerings. Visiting here, you can experience incense rituals and explore the halls with Buddha statues, among other activities. We've put together the ultimate guide to help you understand the essential information about Lingyin Temple, making it easier to plan your Hangzhou itinerary.

Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou

Basic Information of Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou

• Location: Located inside the Feilai Peak Scenic Area, about a 30-minute drive from West Lake
• Entrance Fee: Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple are free but require booking at least one day ahead
• Operation Hours: 7:30-17:30
• How Long to Stay: 2 to 3 hours

The Lingyin Temple has a history of more than 1600 years. The legend has it that an Indian shaman came here and saw the elegant hills. He thought it was a place where people's souls retreat. So he built a temple named Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat). Starting from 1950, Lingyin Temple underwent several rounds of restoration and was later opened to the public.

What to Do at Lingyin Temple

1. Explore the Main Halls

Lingyin Temple has many different halls, each with its own symbolic meaning. Here is a simple introduction to the halls we recommend the most. You can choose which ones to visit based on your interests:

• Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Hall): A hall that blesses visitors with peace and safety, featuring a large Maitreya Buddha statue.
• Mahavira Hall (Daxiong Baodian): Houses a magnificent 24-meter-tall wooden statue of Shakyamuni. You can pray here for blessings in all aspects of life.
• Medicine Buddha Hall: Dedicated to the Medicine Buddha, where visitors pray for good health.
• Guardian Hall (Garan Hall): Dedicated to Guan Yu, where people pray for good fortune.
• Huayan Hall: Dedicated to three different Buddha statues. It is a popular place to pray for better academic performance and career success.
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2. Light Incense Sticks and Pray

Prayer ritual in Lingyin Temple

Lingyin Temple offers a free incense-lighting experience. After entering the temple, you can receive three incense sticks for free. Once you light them and complete the prayer ritual, you should place the incense into the censer. After that, you can continue to explore the halls.

It's worth noting that incense offering follows specific etiquette. Our local guide will teach you the proper way to offer incense and explain the cultural background behind each step.

3. See Feilai Peak (飞来峰) Grottoes

Buddhist stone carving in Feilai Peak

Lingyin Temple is located inside the Feilai Feng Scenic Area. After visiting the temple, you may also consider exploring Feilai Feng.

Feilai Feng is a limestone peak about 168 meters tall. On the cliffs along the stream and inside the many caves, you'll find ancient Buddhist stone carvings. Among them, the most notable are the three statues of Amitabha, Guanyin, and Mahasthamaprapta carved on the rock to the right of the entrance of Qinglin Cave, dating back to 951 AD, which is definitely worth a visit.

4. Try Vegetarian Food

Both Lingyin Temple and the nearby food streets have a wide variety of vegetarian dishes to try. The restaurant inside the temple serves vegetarian noodles, costing around 3 USD per bowl. If you'd like to try more vegetarian dishes, you can head down to Yinshan Food Street, where you'll find vegetarian buffets, vegetarian porridge, and more.

5. Take Photoshoots in Ancient Chinese Costume

Lingyin Temple offers traditional costume photography services, including Hanfu costume, makeup, and hairstyling. Prices vary depending on what costume and hairstyling you choose and range from 28.4 to 60 USD. However, reservations must be made at least one day in advance.

How to Get to Lingyin Temple

Visit Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou

Lingyin Temple is very close to West Lake, and it takes about 30 minutes by car from West Lake to the temple. Which is why we recommend visiting West Lake and Lingyin Temple on the same day.

Let's say you plan to make Lingyin Temple your final stop in Hangzhou and need to head to the airport or train station afterward. It takes around 30 minutes to travel from Lingyin Temple to Hangzhou East Railway Station and about one hour to reach Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

Nearby Attractions

West Lake (西湖)

West Lake in Hangzhou is famous for its picturesque scenery, historic temples, pagodas, and bridges. You will find this lake surrounded by mountains, and it is dotted with islands and gardens. So, it's a good place to take a tranquil boat ride and walk on the paths.

Faxi Temple (法喜寺)

Faxi Temple is an ancient temple with a history dating back over a thousand years. It features traditional Chinese architecture, serene gardens, and ancient stone carvings. The temple is mainly visited to pray for good relationships and a happy married life.

Lingshun Temple (灵顺寺)

Lingshun Temple is located at the highest point of the northern peak of Feilai Feng and is known as the "Number One Wealth God Temple in the World." You can come here to pray for financial luck, prosperity, and thriving business.

Travel Tips for Visiting Lingyin Temple

A monk statue at Lingyin Temple

1. Follow the dress code. Lingyin Temple is a religious site, so you need to dress neatly and avoid revealing, see-through, or tight clothing. Wearing slippers is not allowed. If you are wearing a hat or sunglasses, you should remove them when praying.

2. It's best to have a private guide. Lingyin Temple has a rich cultural background, so we highly recommend listening to explanations. However, the regular temple guides are not private, and you may have to share the tour with many other visitors. Our knowledgeable guide provides a one-on-one experience just for you and can also assist you in participating in activities within the temple.

3. Respect the etiquette of Lingyin Temple. When you enter the temple, please speak softly and in a lower voice. Photography is usually allowed in public areas, but avoid flash in halls or of monks.

Visit Lingyin Temple With Us

If you're planning a trip to Hangzhou and want to explore more attractions, we're here to help. We can create a personalized Hangzhou itinerary for you, taking care of everything from meals and accommodation to transportation in one convenient package. Contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com today and get your quote for your Hangzhou tour!